In its recently updated Priorities List, Infrastructure Australia has included public transport linking the Mandurah train line with employment, tourism and residential hubs in the Cities of Cockburn, Fremantle and Melville, in Western Australia.
Infrastructure Australia’s updated infrastructure priority list now includes Fremantle to Murdoch and Cockburn Central transport capacity as an early-stage proposal, which would greatly benefit the local areas.
The project will now be the subject of a second stage submission to identify complementary and substitute options that mitigate congestion in the burgeoning transport corridors.
The Cities of Cockburn, Fremantle and Melville, who are all members of the South West Group, are buoyed by the updated Infrastructure Australia priority inclusion; noting the region’s population and strong links with the defence and resources sectors would continue to grow, compounding congestion.
South West Group Director, Tom Griffiths, said the listing meant the proposed projects – the Fremantle-Murdoch corridor and the Fremantle-Cockburn Coast-Cockburn Central corridor – had been independently assessed by professional staff at Infrastructure Australia who had concluded the proposals were valid and of national significance.
“We will continue to advocate that the State Government prepare a dedicated mid-tier transport network for Perth, connecting existing and emerging activity centres in the Cockburn, Fremantle and Melville region,” Mr Griffiths said.
“Infrastructure Western Australia has reported a significant decline in public transport boardings as a result of COVID-19.
“This further illustrates the challenge of significantly growing public transport patronage and the need for a transformative approach to the quality and connectivity of Perth’s public transport network to curb the ongoing reliance on private cars.
“This will be especially important to achieving residential infill targets, improving access to places of employment, and supports the path to net-zero carbon emissions.”
City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said a southern link from Fremantle down the Cockburn Coast would be increasingly important in coming years as the area between South Beach and Port Coogee became home to a further 12,000 people in 6,000 homes.
“As employment opportunities, including at the Australian Marine Complex and at our local defence hub centred on Henderson, continue to develop, this transport infrastructure is vital to facilitating the development of these nationally-important nodes,” Mayor Howlett said.
“The Perron Group’s $1 billion commercial and residential expansion plan at Cockburn Gateway Shopping City in Cockburn Central is also dependent on efficient, accessible transport links.”
