The newly opened Ellenbrook rail line in Perth is a perfect example of forward planning, says an expert.
Tim Trefry – a key player in the development of the Ellenbrook-Morley rail link which, ten years after it was first proposed, opened on Sunday – said: “Ellenbrook is the perfect lesson for Australia’s urban planners. By enshrining that transit corridor in the masterplan all those years ago, we set today’s residents up for success. This underscores the power of forward planning and it’s proof that visionary design and collaboration can create thriving, sustainable communities that flourish for generations to come.”
Stretching 21 kilometres from Bayswater to Ellenbrook and incorporating five new train stations – at Morley, Noranda, Ballajura, Whiteman Park and Ellenbrook – the new line is a part of WA’s Metronet transport system, which the government describes as “the single largest investment in public transport that Perth has seen”.
The Ellenbrook line involved:
- 65,000 railway sleepers to build the track
- two viaducts and three new tunnels
- the installation of solar panels across all stations.
Responding to the cost blowout from an estimated $863 million to $1.65 billion, WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti told media: “People understand there’s been cost increases whether you’ve put an oven in your house, you’ve put a pergola in, you buy a car, or you’ve bought a house.”
Trefry joined Saffioti and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the inaugural ride. “Seeing the excitement from residents as the first train left the station shows just how impactful long-term planning can be,” he said. “For many, this train line is more than just improved transport – it’s a catalyst for the next phase of Ellenbrook’s growth. It will spark investment, boost local jobs, and expand town centre facilities, further cementing Ellenbrook as a thriving, self-sufficient community.”
The Ellenbrook train line will drive the next stage of growth for the town centre, attracting investment, creating jobs, and expanding facilities for the local community, said Trefry, adding: “It’s a transformative step forward for one of Australia’s most celebrated urban developments and a powerful reminder of what thoughtful, long-term planning can achieve.”
Trefry said as Australia’s cities expand, it’s vital for developers and planners to think decades ahead, embedding transit corridors and prioritising connected, inclusive design. “Ellenbrook is the ultimate example of how the choices we make today shape how our communities thrive tomorrow.”
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