Specialist team to drive METRONET vision

A multi-agency team that will drive the McGowan Government's METRONET vision to transform Perth's transport network is set to be established.

The specialist team will be comprised of experts in transport planning, land development, town planning and value capture.

METRONET is as much a land use plan as a transport plan, and each project will be designed to marry the best transport outcomes with optimised land use outcomes.

For the first time in Western Australia, there will be a mechanism to capture the increased value of land due to new infrastructure, such as a new train station, to help pay for specific projects.

Experienced public servant Anthony Kannis is to be formally appointed as the team's project director next week to immediately begin work.

Mr Kannis is a former senior Treasury official and was a key member of a project steering committee that helped deliver the Mandurah Line and the new underground rail connection in the central business district.

Mr Kannis was also a board member of Infrastructure Australia for six years from 2008.

The first stage of METRONET includes:

• Completion of the Forrestfield-Airport Line (Expected completion end of 2020);    
• Building the Yanchep extension (Expected completion 2021);
• Building the Thornlie to Cockburn line (Expected completion 2021);
• Planning and construction of the Morley-Ellenbrook Line (Expected completion 2022);
• Building the Byford extension (Expected completion 2023);
• Starting a program of removing level crossings on the Armadale, Fremantle and Midland lines; and
• Building new stations at Karnup and Midland.

Part of stage one will also include planning work for an inner suburb light rail system, improving bus services and circle routes and creating better synergies between cycling infrastructure and public transport.

The METRONET team will include experts seconded from agencies including the Department of Transport, Public Transport Authority, Main Roads WA, Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority, the soon to be established Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and the departments of Finance and Treasury.

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"This team will comprise of experts from a variety of fields, who will work together under one office to deliver the best land use, transport and finance outcomes for METRONET.

"METRONET is not only a transport plan but a blueprint for creating a network of well-connected activity centres across Perth.

"The team will combine their expertise to achieve these outcomes and deliver on the McGowan Government's plan to connect our city, reinvigorate suburbs, cut congestion and create thousands of jobs in the process."

Minister's office - 6552 5500