Source : the age
Deputy Premier and Transport Minister has admitted the new Thornlie to Cockburn Metronet link, which officially opened on Sunday, was over budget – along with “all of our projects”.
However, she and Premier Roger Cook maintained the cost was necessary to deliver a first-rate transport system for Perth and WA.
On Sunday, the government also confirmed the 2025-26 state budget will include $1.4 million for free travel to continue for all regular passengers on the closed Armadale line.
The new Thornlie station has opened.Credit: Facebook
“This is another significant milestone in delivering Metronet,” Saffioti told reporters on Sunday.
“This is a project that connects the Mandurah rail line to the Armadale rail line and it will make it so much easier for people in that south-east corridor.”
She also said the new direct line and more services to and from Optus Stadium will make game days more accessible for fans of AFL and other major events at the venue.
“It really gives people a new avenue to get across the south-east suburbs, but also for example on game day, it’s going to make it much easier for those both in Thornley and through Canning Vale but also Cockburn and south.
The Labor leaders disembark a Metronet train on the new line.Credit: Facebook
Cook hailed the project as “the first east-west link right across our metro network” that now makes Perth a “truly connected city”.
The remainder of the Armadale Line will reopen in the coming months and Sherwood, Challis, Kelmscott, Seaforth, Gosnells, Maddington, and Kenwick stations are also due to reopen, with specific dates announced soon.
The leaders also confirmed the expansion of Metronet to the Swan River, with new ferry stops to be announced.
When asked about the transport projects and also Optus Stadium going over budget, Saffioti said the legacy value and of the projects made them worth the cost but added that they were significantly cheaper builds than many equivalent projects in the eastern states.
“Yes, it is over budget, as we’ve said, all of our projects have had cost increases,” she said.
“…When you look at the cost of delivering our projects compared to other states, I’ll make a point: The airport line, which was delivered for $1.8 billion a similar line, similar length over east has been costed and delivered at $8 billion.
“I think that [Optus] stadium next to us was initially costed at $700 million and came out at $1.8 billion but everyone says that stadium is something for future generations.”
