METRONET advocacy FAQs

Council formalised their position on METRONET advocacy in August 2019 at a Council meeting. The decision was unanimous.

The Town has three key desired outcomes since it was announced METRONET would be proceeding with elevated rail:

• Great places: Station precincts are great places that provide obvious and lasting community benefits
• All stations remain: All existing stations in the Town must remain with only minor adjustments to their locations.
• Sustainable access: Station precincts should be designed to promote and facilitate walking, cycling and public transport as the predominant choices for accessing each station.

The Town believes these outcomes will deliver the best outcomes for the community, and is committed to working proactively with METRONET to deliver as many of these outcomes as possible around Oats Street and Carlisle stations specifically.

On 16 June 2020 the State Government publicly announced elevated rail as the preferred option for removing up to five of level crossings on the Armadale line. This preferred option has been informed by early business case investigations and similar projects in the state of Victoria.

Read more information on the METRONET website.

This is done by raising the rail to completely remove sections of it from ground level and allow for improved pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicle connections. It can also present an opportunity for revitalisation with the potential for new public spaces and other uses under the raised rail. A series of elevated stations along a train line has been referred to as a ‘sky rail’. There are no examples of a sky rail in Perth, however recent examples can be seen in Melbourne around the Clayton and Noble Park stations. We encourage the community to investigate these recent and relevant examples.

The Town and METRONET have been working together to analyse the options for level crossing removal since the State and Federal Governments announced a funding commitment for the project in early 2019. This has included some analysis of the precincts around Oats Street and Carlisle Stations. In June 2020 the State Government announced their preference for an elevated rail option during the compilation of the business case and has begun community engagement on that basis. The Town will continue to work with METRONET to ensure the project delivers the best outcomes possible for the community.

With the station and related infrastructure now fixed and the Armadale Line Upgrade Alliance selected to remove the Victoria Park-Canning level crossings, the next stage is focusing on detailed design, architecture and the features of the public space created by elevating the rail. 

New elevated stations will also be built at Carlisle, Oats Street, Queens Park and Cannington to enable safer and improved rail connections to schools and businesses.

Early design work for the stations and related infrastructure has been shaped by stakeholder and community feedback, and includes:

• Single elevated rail structures to minimise visual clutter and street-level impacts, and maximise public open space and landscaping.
• Relocation of Carlisle Station entrance closer to Mint/Archer Street to improve local connections.
• Station entrances on either side of Oats Street for easy and safe access to the station and new bus interchange.
• A ground level principal shared path along the rail line for easy access to stations and surrounding areas.
• Maintaining existing parking at all stations. Parking at Welshpool Station will be redistributed between neighbouring stations.
• Dedicated areas of activity in the public open space, with a strong emphasis on native planting.

Work on these and other projects along the Armadale line is expected to begin in 2023, and will coincide with a shutdown of the Armadale line for up to 18 months. During the shutdown, it is intended that the line will continue to operate between Victoria Park Station and the CBD, including Stadium Station. Train replacement services will be determined as part of the planning process.

For further information on the shutdown, visit Building For Tomorrow. 

METRONET wants to hear from the community on the potential uses for spaces under the rail, including landscaping, public art and facilities such as bike racks.

The design of the public open space will start after the contractor is appointed, and will involve the community and stakeholders to help shape look and function.

Visit the METRONET website to participate in surveys and info sessions currently advertised and sign up for project updates, or email info@metronet.wa.gov.au.