Linking Perth through METRONET and Mid-Tier Public Transport.
The State Government’s METRONET project is a much-needed transport project for Perth. It will expand the reach of the passenger rail network through the metropolitan suburbs not currently serviced by trains.
With population expected to increase to 3.5m by 2050, parking at train stations an ongoing issue, and catching a bus on time not always possible, what if Perth's public transport network was linked with more than just a choice of bus or train? It's an issue that councils have been working to solve independently – until now.
Rather than consider the transport corridors for one local government area, 15 local governments have created a consortium to look at broader transport options, including Mid-Tier Public Transport.
As a complement to Perth’s existing and pending fixed rail network and bus routes, the consortium has identified the need for a Mid-Tier Public Transport. Mid-tier transport can consist of light rail, rapid bus transit or trackless tram technology options. It would connect commuters within suburbs and activity hubs that METRONETS's rail may not currently service. Connecting mid-tier transport to METRONET further assists the transport needs of a growing population, leading to relief in traffic congestion and ease of mobility.
This represents more transport choices for how you get to where you need to go. It would connected METRONET train stations with activity centres and employment hubs, such as:
- schools, universities and TAFEs
- health care
- shopping
- hospitality venues
- office.
To learn more, download the project flyer (PDF 530KB).
Trackless Tram examples.
Planning for the future
The consortium is working towards identifying potential future transit corridors in the Perth metropolitan area. By identifying the corridors earlier, local governments can forward plan and tailor their Local Planning Schemes to ensure key mid-tier transport routes and land allocation are factored into urban design and land use planning.
Councils want to plan their urban infrastructure and housing options collaboratively to ensure long-term planning incorporates diverse transport options. Mid-tier transport will support the development of affordable housing for an emerging workforce and community members. Mid-Tier transport will also have the benefit of reducing transport costs for households and reduce congestion on our roads by offering a viable alternative to driving.
Local governments are committed to delivering the recommendations of the State Government’s Perth and Peel @ 3.5 million urban strategy, which outlines urban growth and planning now for a future we know is coming.
The Perth and Peel population is projected to increase to 3.5 million by 2050, and people are more likely to want to live close to work and amenities. By thinking ahead, urban planners can design community hubs, business precincts and integrated transport options that anticipate Perth’s future housing needs. By planning now, local governments could save future generations the expense of retrofitting a more restricted urban environment.
The intent is for the consortium’s work to be integrated into a State Government-led Mid-Tier Public Transport Strategy for Perth that will identify Mid-Tier Public Transport corridors for Perth. This will be supported by concept planning that will lead to more detailed design and business case planning. Once councils have that plan for Perth, local governments will have a clear path to keep residents, ratepayers, businesses and visitors up-to-date on local land usage and transport choices available in their communities.
Benefits
Mid-Tier Public Transport is not a new concept. It has been employed effectively in other Australian states and overseas. An example is the Gold Coast Light Rail, which links the centre of the Gold Coast with Griffith University and Gold Coast Hospital and carries 18,000 passengers per day.
Linking Perth through Mid-Tier Public Transport options has many benefits:
- significantly increases the use of public transport, reducing car usage and congestion
- complements Perth’s METRONET and helps connect urban centres not directly serviced by a major rail route
- supports housing affordability by offering transport choices that mean people don't have to live on a train line to save on petrol
- more accessible transport allows for the development of diverse housing options that cater to the entire community
- creates greater connectivity between Perth’s eastern and western suburbs
- creates direct links to employment hubs, learning centres, shopping precincts and tourist spots
- transforms the way people live and travel across Perth and Peel, offering more options for access to healthcare, food and other essential services
- supports local businesses as a result of more passing traffic along mid-tier transport routes
- creates investment, employment and job opportunities – during both construction and operational stages – boosting the WA’s economy
- ensures the City can cater for a wide variety of community events across Perth and Peel for both residents and visitors
- decreases Perth and Peel’s reliance on cars, creating an environmentally aware, transit-based destination, increasing sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
What is the Consortium seeking from State Government?
The Consortium is seeking the following from the State Government:
- Announcement from the State Government that it will prepare a Mid-Tier Public Transport Strategy for Perth.
- Funding over two financial years (2023/24 and 2024/25) to develop the Mid-Tier Public Transport Strategy for the Perth and Peel region.
- Complete the Strategy in the 2024/25 financial year.
The consortium is keen to partner with the State Government to prepare this important plan.
What's in a Mid-Tier Public Transport Strategy?
To provide confidence to local government and the development industry, the Mid-Tier Public Transport Strategy will need to include as a minimum, the following components:
- the identification of all Mid-Tier Public Transport route alignments within the Perth and Peel area
- all route alignments to be identified at a road level supported by a concept plan that identifies the adaptability of the route for all Mid-Tier Public Transport vehicle options
- the preparation of corridor width plans to identify if widening of existing roads are required
- identification of areas where vehicle maintenance and storage is to occur
- identification of priority routes for implementation and further investigation
- undertaking of traffic and patronage modelling to support route selection
- undertaking land intensity planning to support route selection
- engagement with local governments in preparing the strategy.
Completion of this work will enable the Department for Planning, Lands and Heritage to initiate the necessary Metropolitan Region Scheme amendments to confirm the Mid-Tier Public Transport corridors and Local Planning Scheme amendments to confirm the routes and land use planning to support the Mid-Tier Public Transport network. It will also enable further business case planning to support priority implementation and funding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Download the FAQs (PDF 660KB) or view them below:
The Local Government Consortium consists of the following Local Governments which have signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing to the creation of a preliminary Mid-Tier Public Transport Network Plan for the Inner and Middle Councils within the Perth Metropolitan area.
- City of Canning
- City of Stirling
- City of Bayswater
- Town of Nedlands
- Town of Victoria Park
- City of Melville
- Town of East Fremantle
- City of Fremantle
- City of Cockburn
- City of Kwinana
- City of Rockingham
The Inner City Councils of South Perth, Perth, Vincent and Subiaco have also agreed to support the project. The consortium has also engaged with the Department for Transport, Public Transport Authority and Main Roads WA to prepare the preliminary Mid-Tier Public Transport Network Plan.
Mid-tier public transport is a term used to describe a range of transit technologies such as trackless trams, light rail and bus rapid transit that support the broader passenger transport network, such as fixed rail trains and established bus routes.
The consortium of 15 local governments is currently working together to map out some prospective routes in each council that would be suitable for mid-tier transport development. Decisions about the types of mid-tier technologies used will be decided by relevant State Transport Authorities.
The mid-tier public transport mapping has the potential to detail and progress a number of ‘preferred’ routes. The consortium will consider early route identification, with a focus on the main mid-tier public transit corridors to enable further detailed planning, ideally leading to the preparation of a State Government-driven Mid-Tier Public Transport Strategy for Perth.
A critical housing shortage in Perth, coupled with projected population increases, means a need to look at greater diversity in housing and transport choices to support population mobility and growth.
Agile and flexible mid-tier transport options encourage and support greater housing diversity in Perth’s inner, middle and outer suburbs because people are given more travel options to journey to work, day care, shopping or access essential services such as health care.
Coupled with the benefits of reduced environmental impact from emissions, mid-tier transport complements local and state government objectives for more a sustainable urban housing approach and the State Government’s Perth and Peel @ 3.5m policy agenda.
The Mid-Tier Public Transport Strategy for Perth will give certainty to local governments across the Metropolitan area to undertake detailed planning through Local Planning Strategies and Local Planning Schemes to utilise the benefits of knowing the Mid-Tier Public Transport corridors for Perth. The strategy will also give much needed certainty to the housing industry.
A key focus of local governments and the consortium is to create connected communities with access to a range of amenities and a safe, clean environment for current and future generations.
We recognise that any infrastructure development means some construction and inconvenience so we are working closely with urban planners, environmental experts and state government agencies, such as the Department for Transport, Public Transport Authority and Main Roads WA, to minimise impacts to local communities and the natural environment.
Network plans for the mid-tier public transport project will focus on the main transit corridors linking Perth’s east and west and connecting new and existing stations through key activity centres such as major shopping centres, employment hubs, learning centres and tourism destinations.
The cost of each transport option will be determined once the most appropriate choice for each suburb has been identified.
Jointly funded by the Australian and WA State Governments, METRONET is one of WA’s largest transport projects, focusing on connecting Perth’s expanding suburbs with approximately 72 kilometres of new fixed rail line and 22 new train stations.
Mid-tier public transport seeks to build on that vision by encouraging local government and state government collaboration to fill the gaps between METRONET’s rail service and the needs of the communities not on the rail lines or bus routes.
By the time of METRONET’s likely completion around 2030, we would already be sure to see the effects of population growth on transport congestion. Having the mid-tier roll-out in place by then would be key to ensuring the success of METRONET and the sustainable growth of our communities.
Represented by the City of Canning, the Consortium is seeking a commitment from the State Government in the next financial year to fund and prepare a Mid-Tier Transport Strategy for the Perth and Peel regions. It is envisaged the Strategy would be completed in the 24/25 Financial year.
We all realise that investment in public transport infrastructure is costly but has enormous benefits. A state-led strategy will help determine the cost of linking Perth’s METRONET with a mid-tier passenger network that offers a truly integrated transport solution for Perth’s growing suburbs.
The cost will be offset by the long-term benefits of early planning to ensure more efficient designs and a transport network that anticipates Perth and Peel’s projected growth which is expected to reach 3.5m by 2050. An investment in the expansion of Perth’s mid-tier public transport network is an investment in the future.
It is important to act now with a coordinated approach to alleviate cost of living pressures, decrease traffic congestion and related pollutants, improve travel options for those without cars, and ensure we don’t leave a more expensive bill for the next generation to face.
The consortium is seeking WA State Government support to fund the appropriate state government agencies to promote and finalise a Mid-Tier Public Transport Strategy for Perth and Peel between 2023 and 2025.