Minimising environmental and community impacts is a key focus of the Yanchep Rail Extension.
Travelling through existing and planned developments, the majority of the 14.5km long rail extension will be in a cutting to reduce noise and improve overall amenity for nearby residents and businesses.
The rail alignment will travel through one Parks and Recreation reserve and a Bush Forever site. Every effort has been made to minimise impact on these areas, including considering alternative alignments. However, the undulating landscape, tight rail curve (not conforming to railway design standards) and impact on existing and future residents meant these options were not viable.
Flora management
The designated rail corridor has been largely cleared of native vegetation in some sections, however, some clearing will be needed for the section north of Pipidinny Road. These works will proceed under strict conditions imposed as part of the environmental approval process.
Fauna management
The project will include a fauna underpass through the
Alkimos Parks and Recreation reserve, and three fauna bridges in the Bush
Forever site (between Eglinton and Yanchep). Both the underpass and bridges
will ensure animal movements are not isolated to one side of the rail.
During construction, before any clearing begins, a fauna trapping and relocation program will be undertaken. Relocation will be undertaken by a verified specialist, and fencing will be erected as soon as possible to prevent the movement of fauna into the works area.
Noise, vibration and light
To minimise impacts on the current and future residential developments, the Yanchep Rail Extension will mostly be built in a cutting, with developers required to have appropriate setbacks from the rail reserve (via road reserves or public open space) and homes in the ‘first row’ facing the route encouraged to implement ‘quiet house design’.
Noise walls will be constructed in existing residential estates as required (based on modelling outcomes) and in consultation with land developers to minimise impact.
To manage vibration near residential properties, ballast matting will be under the tracks near all current and future residential estates. The ballast matting sits under the rail formation and will be under both sets of tracks in and out of Butler Station to reduce vibration.
Lighting of the principal-shared path and station areas will be directed away from residential properties as much as possible and will be assessed during the final design stages.
Aboriginal Heritage
METRONET acknowledges the people of the Noongar Nation as the traditional custodians of the land and waters on which the METRONET program of projects is located. We pay our respects to their elders, both past, present and emerging, and thank them for their continuing connection to country, culture and community.
No registered Aboriginal Heritage Sites are identified within, or in close proximity to, the Yanchep Rail Extension. An archaeological survey, heritage surveys and Aboriginal consultation was undertaken to identify the heritage value of the rail corridor and surrounding area. As a result, specialist Aboriginal monitoring personnel will be engaged during the initial vegetation clearing stages at the station sites to further ensure there are no heritage sites or artefacts located within these areas.