Senator Linda Reynolds has called on the state government to make funding the extension of the Thornlie rail line a priority.
In a letter to the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester she advocated for partial Commonwealth funding and asked Premier Mark McGowan to prioritise the project.
Ms Reynolds said the former Barnett government had already fully costed the project and had begun the necessary first stage of grade separating the crossing at Nicholson Road in Canning Vale.
However, although she has acknowledged the McGowan government’s support for the project she said it is yet to be developed and has called on the premier to prioritise it.
“The 17.5 kilometre extension of the Thornlie rail line would link Thornlie train station to Cockburn Central,” she said.
“It will provide an efficient transport option for commuters in Perth’s rapidly growing south-east metropolitan suburbs.”
Ms Reynolds said the rail connection would link to the southern and eastern metropolitan region of Perth, both of which have high concentrations of skilled workers, vocational training centres and industrial centres.
“This connection would also enhance access to the Australian Marine Complex,” she said.
“It is home of WA’s thriving ship building industry and our growing defence sector.”
Member for Thornlie Chris Tallentire has defended the state government and said Labor had promised to deliver the Thornlie line extension.
He said the state government had kept its promise with building of the rail line set to be underway by 2019.
“This is a tough deadline,” he said.
“Thanks to Mark McGowan’s success in putting the case for WA we are on track.”
Mr Tallentire said he was proud as the local MP to have worked so hard to keep up the pressure and get started on this line.
He also said part of the federal funding would kick-start the passenger rail extension to Cockburn.
