❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks detailed breakdown of the $1.6 billion High Capacity Signalling project's costs, contracts, and budget reporting transparency. The Minister's answer provides a general overview of the program and justifies its presentation as a single program in the budget.
AnsweredQoN 544Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the $1.6 billion "High Capacity Signalling - Delivery" component of the High Capacity Signalling - Program of Works, and I ask: (a) can the Minister please provide a breakdown of all individual projects being undertaken as part of this "Delivery" component worth $50 million or more, including the cost for each; (b) can the Minister please provide a list of contracts, including identifying numbers, total amount and who the contracts are with, in relation to the "High Capacity Signalling - Delivery" component, worth $50 million or more; (c) can the Minister please provide a general explanation about what this component of the High Capacity Signalling - Program of Works covers; (d) given the over $1.6 billion estimated total cost, why are individual projects being delivered by this component not able to be listed individually in the State Budget under the Public Transport Authority's Asset Investment Program; (e) in relation to (d), what internal Treasury policy or budget standards guide decisions made in relation to what is reported clearly in the budget; and (f) in relation to (d), has the Auditor General raised any concerns about the transparency of budget reporting in relation to the High Capacity Signalling Program and its component parts, and if so, what was the Government's response?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2025
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport
Response time
6 days
(a)-(f) As noted in the State Budget Papers, “the High Capacity Signalling (HCS) Program of Works will replace the existing signalling system on the Transperth rail network with a communications-based train control system designed to support increased service frequencies. The program comprises the HCS, Radio Systems Replacement (RSR), Nowergup Railcar Modification Shed and Public Transport Operations Control Centre (PTOCC) projects. Collectively, these projects will deliver a more efficient, reliable, and predictable suburban rail service.”
The description in the published Budget included a reference to each of the components of the HCS program. Given the dependency on each of the components for the overall success of HCS, it is sensible to present these projects as a program.
The description in the published Budget included a reference to each of the components of the HCS program. Given the dependency on each of the components for the overall success of HCS, it is sensible to present these projects as a program.
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