Premier Flags New Approach to Completing Perth’s Rail Circle
Western Australia’s Premier, Roger Cook, has reignited discussions around the long-envisioned rail circle route for Perth, signalling a potential shift in strategy by incorporating modern transport solutions like light rail and trackless trams. The Premier’s comments, made during a recent Property Council of WA lunch, suggest a more flexible and innovative approach to expanding Perth’s Metronet public transport network beyond its current radial design.
Premier Cook articulated his vision for the future of Perth’s public transport, highlighting the ongoing expansion of the ferry network, humorously dubbed “Metro-wet,” as an immediate priority. However, his gaze is firmly set on the horizon, aiming to “complete the circle” of the existing rail infrastructure. He described the current network as resembling a “half-constructed spider web,” with most lines converging on the city centre. The aspiration is to create a more interconnected system, with the recently completed Cockburn to Thornlie link serving as a foundational step towards this goal.
“Ultimately, what we want to do is complete the circle,” Premier Cook stated. “Everyone’s familiar with our rail system, it looks like a half-constructed spider web because all the strands go into the middle, and ultimately, we need to start connecting it up as part of what you might call the circle route, and we’ve already done that so far with the Cockburn to Thornlie link.”
The Premier elaborated on how this ambitious circle route might be realised, hinting at the integration of different transport modes. “Ultimately, you might see parts of that connected through light rail, or you see nowadays trackless trams – they were exciting on YouTube for a while,” he remarked. This suggests a departure from a purely heavy rail approach, acknowledging the evolving landscape of urban mobility.
The concept of a circle route for Perth is not entirely new. Labor’s initial Metronet plans, dating back to December 2012, included both north and south circle routes. By the 2017 election, the pledge had evolved into a broader vision for a large circle line intended to connect the Yanchep line with Fremantle, effectively weaving through the city’s existing rail corridors.
However, despite these public pronouncements, it is understood that no concrete planning is currently underway for these circle routes. Key agencies, such as the Public Transport Authority, are reportedly not actively engaged in developing these plans, with the government’s current focus directed towards other significant national and international priorities, including AUKUS and critical transmission line projects.
This is not the first time Premier Cook has publicly expressed his desire for a completed circle line. He previously indicated to media outlets that his government might “potentially” explore this possibility in the lead-up to last year’s March state election.
The mention of light rail and trackless trams is likely to generate considerable interest among transport enthusiasts and political observers in Western Australia, particularly given Perth’s past experiences with light rail projects. The previous Barnett Liberal National government committed to the MAX light rail route to Perth’s northern suburbs during the 2013 election campaign, boasting it was “fully costed, fully funded.” However, this project was ultimately abandoned by 2016 due to significant budget constraints. Labor has consistently leveraged this abandoned project in its political discourse, often criticising the opposition’s commitment to public transport.
Expert Endorsement for Innovative Transit Solutions
The prospect of incorporating new transport technologies into Metronet’s future plans has been met with enthusiasm by prominent figures in the urban planning and sustainability sectors. Professor Peter Newman, a respected academic at Curtin University and a long-standing advocate for public transport, expressed his delight upon being informed of Premier Cook’s recent comments.
“You’ve made my year, let alone my day,” Professor Newman declared. “I am very encouraged, and I think that it’s time to start the next phase of Metronet with new ideas like this, because they need good ideas.”
Professor Newman believes that the inclusion of light rail and trackless trams represents a forward-thinking approach to urban development. “These ideas have been around for a while, and I am always pleased to see them being picked up,” he commented. While acknowledging the inherent complexities in implementing such projects, he lauded the overall success of Perth’s existing rail system.
“They’re not easy but so far, the rail system has been a huge political success, and I believe, a very successful way to help give Perth its economic base for the future,” Professor Newman added. His endorsement suggests that the proposed integration of diverse transport solutions could be a viable and beneficial path forward for Perth’s public transport infrastructure, fostering better connectivity and supporting the city’s future economic growth.
