Yanchep Rail Extension

Works are expected to begin in late 2019.

We are aiming to meet the Government’s preferred completion date of 2021. The schedule will be developed by the Alliance when they are appointed in late-2019.

All stations will open at once which allows flexibility for the Alliance and their preferred construction methodology.

No decision has been made about changing the name of the line, and the option it has not been ruled out.

Extending the Joondalup Line to Yanchep in a staged approach was an idea first developed in the 1970s. The plan saw rail as essential infrastructure and an important travel option to help grow these areas and move people living and working in the area.

The Yanchep-Two Rocks area is expected to accommodate two to three per cent of Australia’s population growth over the next 40 years due to the availability of relatively affordable urban zoned land, and the continued demand for coastal living.  The Yanchep Rail Extension will play an important role in facilitating that long-term growth and turn Yanchep into a Secondary Strategic Centre.

In the short to medium term, the extension will provide efficient transport movement. Without the project road-based congestion will severely impact travel times to places of employment, reduce economic productivity and negatively impact the environment.

Extensive modelling was undertaken to estimate patronage using data sources including current passenger numbers, population growth, housing density and other demographic information. The modelling uses a Department of Planning tool, the Strategic Transport Estimation Model (STEM).

A combined budget of $1.056 billion, the Yanchep Rail Extension and Thornlie-Cockburn Link and is a joint funding arrangement of $700 million from the Commonwealth and $356 million from the WA Government.

A comprehensive bus network will be determined 12-18 months before the stations open. This will follow a detailed planning and community consultation period to ensure the bus network best aligns with local development and community needs.

The Butler Master Plan (July 2008) recognised the need for a high quality public transport system extending to the future growth areas of the North-West corridor to Yanchep. Provision for a rail line in the area has been reflected in structure plans throughout the Butler to Yanchep area.

This final alignment was determined in consultation with key stakeholders, including local developers, to maximise planned future development in the area, minimise environmental impacts as much as possible and ensure safe and efficient rail operations.

To maintain or enhance connections between communities on either side of the Yanchep Rail Extension, 18 potential road-over-rail crossings were identified in consultation with key stakeholders, including private developers. Nine of these crossings are included in the project scope, with the remaining 9 delivered by private developers or the local council as the area develops and the connections are needed. There is no timeframe for these bridges.

Without the constraint of existing communities, the Yanchep Rail Extension is a catalyst for high-density, high-amenity land use in the areas surrounding the stations.

Yanchep Station is in the heart of the planned Yanchep City Centre, which is to be progressively developed shortly after rail operations begin by the Yanchep Beach Joint Venture (YBJV).

Eglinton Station is planned to support a predominately residential community, with services, facilities and jobs that reflect the immediate needs of the local catchment.

Alkimos Station is at the heart of DevelopmentWA’s Alkimos Central development. An emerging secondary activity centre, the area is planned to include significant retail, mixed density residential development, business and service industrial precincts, plus a civic and cultural zone.

While transport projects can be planned and delivered in a relatively defined timeframe surrounding land development can take a number of years to reach target densities. Majority of development along the Yanchep Rail Extension will be undertaken by private developers, except at Alkimos Central, which will be led by DevelopmentWA.

The METRONET Office will continue to work with key stakeholders, including local government, along with landowners, in guiding any land planning and development to ensure the benefits of investing in good public transport are realised.

Typically when passenger rail is introduced, property values have improved.  Better transport connections have the potential to lift property values directly but they also benefit indirectly because METRONET’s integrated planning approach enables denser development, leading to more amenities such as shops and health facilities. However, it is too early at this stage to forecast how this project will impact the local area.

The METRONET Office worked closely with key stakeholders to ensure the future station is positioned at the centre of the future City Centre’s main retail and commercial areas, making it easily accessible for visitors and residents.

Two new road-over-rail bridges will be built as part of the project. Other upgrades of the road network will be completed by other stakeholders as required.

Yanchep Station is the end of a new 13.8km shared path that follows the railway. The station will have two secure bicycle parking shelters, bike u-rails and ability to add two additional secure bicycle parking shelters in the future.

Yanchep Station will be fitted with all the security measures that are standard at our stations. This includes CCTV, lighting and clear sight lines throughout the area. In the future as development occurs around the station, passive security will also increase as there will be more activity in the area.

The METRONET Office worked closely with key stakeholders to ensure the future station is positioned to service the future residential redevelopment.

A number of road-over-rail bridges will be built as part of the project. Other upgrades of the road network will be completed by other stakeholders as required.

Eglinton Station will be linked to a new 13.8 km shared path that follows the rail way. The station will have two secure bicycle parking shelters, bike u-rails and ability to add two additional secure bicycle parking shelters in the future.

Eglinton Station will be fitted with all the security measures that are standard at our stations. This includes CCTV, lighting and clear sight lines throughout the area. In the future as development occurs around the station, passive security will also increase as there will be more activity in the area.

The METRONET Office worked closely DevelopmentWA to ensure the future station is positioned at the heart of its planned Alkimos Central development.

A number of road-over-rail bridges will be built as part of the project. Other upgrades of the road network will be completed by other stakeholders as required.

Alkimos Station will be linked to a new 13.8km shared path that follows the rail way. The station will have two secure bicycle parking shelters, bike u-rails and ability to add two additional secure bicycle parking shelters in the future.

Alkimos Station will be fitted with all the security measures that are standard at our stations. This includes CCTV, lighting and clear sight lines throughout the area. In the future as development occurs around the station, passive security will also increase as there will be more activity in the area.

Environmental and heritage considerations are a key priority for the Yanchep Rail Extension. Early studies undertaken by specialist consultants have identified the following environmental and heritage considerations:

• Removal of native vegetation
• Waste Management
• Loss of fauna habitat
• Disturbance of acid sulphate soils
• Dewatering and groundwater quality
• Existing soil and groundwater contamination
• Noise and vibration
• Aboriginal heritage

   

  These will continue to be assessed when the main contractor is appointed and in consultation during the approvals processes with the various regulatory bodies.

Due to the Yanchep Rail Extension’s environmental complexities, approvals are submitted in two packages. Part one focuses on the extension from Butler to Eglinton. Part two focuses on the extension between Eglinton and Yanchep. Part one was approved 26 June 2019. Part two is expected to be approved early 2020.The METRONET Office and Public Transport Authority are working closely with the various regulators and have had early discussions with key local environmental groups.

We recognise the importance of Aboriginal heritage and are finalising a METRONET Aboriginal Engagement Framework. Specifically for the Yanchep Rail Extension, while no registered Aboriginal Heritage Sites are identified within, or in close proximity to, 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.

Every effort was made to minimise impact on the Bush Forever site, including considering an alignment along the edge of the area. However, the undulating landscape, tight rail curve (not conforming to railway design standards) and impact on existing and future residents meant this option was not viable.

Yes, where possible replanting areas with fast-growing small native shrubs and trees will take place after construction is finished. Replanting will be limited within the rail reserve due to visibility and rail safety rules.

Larger or more mature trees are rarely replanted as they have little success rate of uptake. To ensure the best chance for survival, the planting will be mostly of smaller, fast growing native plants that will reach mature heights in a short timeframe.

Acknowledging that the route will travel through a Bush Forever site, an environmental offset strategy will be prepared and implemented to the satisfaction of environmental regulators. This strategy is still under development and details will be provided when confirmed. A fauna trapping program will take place before any site clearing is done.

Fauna crossings will be included along the Yanchep Rail Extension, including one in the Alkimos Parks and Recreation reserve. Ecological linkages in the Bush Forever site will be included, and are still being investigated.

Once appointed the Alliance will be required to complete a Construction Noise and Vibration Management Plan, following Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. 

This will detail how they will minimise impacts to nearby residents. When construction commences, there will be dedicated information available for affected areas, and those impacted will receive advance notice of works and potential impacts.

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 as required, based on modelling outcomes and in consultation with land developers to minimise residual impact. To manage vibration near residential properties, ballast matting will be installed under the railway where it is located next to existing and future residential developments.

Once appointed the Alliance will be required to complete construction management plans to minimise impacts to nearby properties. Property owners close to construction works will also be invited to partake in a pre-condition survey. This will form part of managing any damage that may occur during construction.