THE state Budget confirms the McGowan Government’s commitment to its $520.2 million Yanchep rail extension election promise.
On Thursday, September 7 the government said $440.8 million over four years had been allocated to extending the rail line from Clarkson to Yanchep.
The Yanchep rail extension is part of the government’s Metronet project, which it hopes will create thousands of jobs including in the manufacturing industry as part of the $508.2m commitment to develop Western Australia’s own rail car manufacturing capability.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said Metronet was a long-term plan to not just reduce traffic congestion, but to connect Perth’s suburbs and drive sustainable new developments.
Ms Saffioti said a business case for the Yanchep rail extension had already been submitted to Infrastructure Australia.
Treasurer Ben Wyatt said in the 2017-18 Budget, Metronet was funded predominantly from the reallocation of state and federal government funding from the now cancelled Perth Freight Link project.
“As promised, additional land sales and a new value-capture method will be used to offset the cost of Metronet, with $104.8m of revenue expected over the forward estimates,’’ he said.
Premier Mark McGowan said Metronet would create thousands of jobs across the metropolitan area and deliver world-class public transport.
The Budget also includes $15m for a new Yanchep primary school and $5m for a revitalisation project at Wanneroo Secondary College.
