❓ Question regarding the Metronet Armadale Line shutdown and transformation, including level crossing removals, station construction, and support for public transport users during construction. The Minister's answer details progress, mitigation strategies, and criticizes the opposition's transport policies.
AnsweredQoN 670Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
METRONET — ARMADALE RAIL LINE — SHUTDOWN
670. Mr C.J. TALLENTIRE to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
record investment in job-creating, congestion-busting public transport
infrastructure.
(1) Can the
minister please update the house on the transformation of the Armadale line
through Metronet, including the removal of 13 level crossings and the building
of seven stations?
(2) Can the minister update the house on how regular
public transport users will be supported during construction?
670. Mr C.J. TALLENTIRE to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
record investment in job-creating, congestion-busting public transport
infrastructure.
(1) Can the
minister please update the house on the transformation of the Armadale line
through Metronet, including the removal of 13 level crossings and the building
of seven stations?
(2) Can the minister update the house on how regular
public transport users will be supported during construction?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Thornlie for
the question.
(1)–(2) Of course, the member was down at Thornlie station
recently to see the removal of the wall that will connect Thornlie right
through to Cockburn. It is a major milestone for the Thornlie–Cockburn
Link. It is a very old rail line, which is basically very outdated. We have
stations that are no longer fit for purpose and we have level crossings along
the line. Many of those level crossings hold up traffic for up to four to six
hours a day, with the boom gates
coming down over 200 times a day. As a result, we are undertaking the biggest
transformation of the Armadale line in its history. It includes elevated rail
through Victoria Park and Cannington, with new stations along the way; the
Thornlie–Cockburn Link, which comes off the line through Beckenham; the extension of the rail line through to
Byford; and a new Armadale train station. It is a complete transformation.
As
has been outlined, 13 level crossings are going and seven new stations are
being built. The Thomas Road over-rail bridge is now open, member for
Darling Range. It has four lanes and the level crossing was removed, which has
made the Thomas Road intersection much safer for all those involved. The
Thornlie station works are well underway and the new bus interchanges at
Victoria Park, Armadale and Cannington are
now complete. More than 200 additional bus drivers and 100 additional buses
will be brought into the system to replace the train service as we shut down
for 18 months. Importantly, to ensure that we do everything possible to
move people from the train onto the replacement buses, we are offering up to 16
700 regular users of the Armadale train line up to six months of free public
transport from the relevant stations. This will save regular users up to $1 300
for that period. This is all about making sure that we do everything possible
to deliver the biggest transformation of the Armadale line in its history, but
to do it in a way so that regular passengers have both alternative services and
a free service for six months to encourage them to try those services.
Of course, members of the opposition
believe that this transformation should not be happening. They do not like the south east corridor; that is why they
never spent any money on it when they were in government . They ignored the south east corridor. What I find
increasingly interesting about the opposition is who is the shadow Minister for Transport. Remember, we have
the one we think is the shadow Minister for Transport —the one
sitting in this chamber—and then we have the shadow shadow Minister for
Transport who spoke at the Cottesloe traffic forum last weekend. Unfortunately,
I did not attend that.
Mr J.N. Carey : Were you
invited?
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : No, I was not
invited.
Mr R.S. Love : That's
just repetition. You've gone over that.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : No; there is
a new one!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : There is a theme.
Of course, we also have the shadow shadow shadow Minister for Transport, Hon
Tjorn Sibma. There are three shadow Ministers for Transport.
Several members interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : There are
three shadow Ministers for Transport. They have no transport policies. Between
the three of them, one of them could develop a policy. They have no transport
policies and, of course, they oppose key infrastructure in areas like the south
east corridor, which the previous government completely ignored.
the question.
(1)–(2) Of course, the member was down at Thornlie station
recently to see the removal of the wall that will connect Thornlie right
through to Cockburn. It is a major milestone for the Thornlie–Cockburn
Link. It is a very old rail line, which is basically very outdated. We have
stations that are no longer fit for purpose and we have level crossings along
the line. Many of those level crossings hold up traffic for up to four to six
hours a day, with the boom gates
coming down over 200 times a day. As a result, we are undertaking the biggest
transformation of the Armadale line in its history. It includes elevated rail
through Victoria Park and Cannington, with new stations along the way; the
Thornlie–Cockburn Link, which comes off the line through Beckenham; the extension of the rail line through to
Byford; and a new Armadale train station. It is a complete transformation.
As
has been outlined, 13 level crossings are going and seven new stations are
being built. The Thomas Road over-rail bridge is now open, member for
Darling Range. It has four lanes and the level crossing was removed, which has
made the Thomas Road intersection much safer for all those involved. The
Thornlie station works are well underway and the new bus interchanges at
Victoria Park, Armadale and Cannington are
now complete. More than 200 additional bus drivers and 100 additional buses
will be brought into the system to replace the train service as we shut down
for 18 months. Importantly, to ensure that we do everything possible to
move people from the train onto the replacement buses, we are offering up to 16
700 regular users of the Armadale train line up to six months of free public
transport from the relevant stations. This will save regular users up to $1 300
for that period. This is all about making sure that we do everything possible
to deliver the biggest transformation of the Armadale line in its history, but
to do it in a way so that regular passengers have both alternative services and
a free service for six months to encourage them to try those services.
Of course, members of the opposition
believe that this transformation should not be happening. They do not like the south east corridor; that is why they
never spent any money on it when they were in government . They ignored the south east corridor. What I find
increasingly interesting about the opposition is who is the shadow Minister for Transport. Remember, we have
the one we think is the shadow Minister for Transport —the one
sitting in this chamber—and then we have the shadow shadow Minister for
Transport who spoke at the Cottesloe traffic forum last weekend. Unfortunately,
I did not attend that.
Mr J.N. Carey : Were you
invited?
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : No, I was not
invited.
Mr R.S. Love : That's
just repetition. You've gone over that.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : No; there is
a new one!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : There is a theme.
Of course, we also have the shadow shadow shadow Minister for Transport, Hon
Tjorn Sibma. There are three shadow Ministers for Transport.
Several members interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : There are
three shadow Ministers for Transport. They have no transport policies. Between
the three of them, one of them could develop a policy. They have no transport
policies and, of course, they oppose key infrastructure in areas like the south
east corridor, which the previous government completely ignored.
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