METRONET: Yanchep Rail Extension

 Perth’s north-west sub-region is experiencing rapid population growth. At present, the population is relatively

evenly distributed between the cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo. After 2021, the north-west sub-region planning
framework anticipates that the rate of population growth will be considerably stronger in the City of Wanneroo due
to its supply of undeveloped urban zoned land and continuing demand for coastal living. By 2050, the City of
Wanneroo is projected to accommodate nearly three quarters of the sub-region’s total population.
Without high-quality public transport services, Perth’s growing, but low-density, northern suburbs risk having high
levels of car ownership and travel. This is already placing pressure on the road network and causing congestion.
Recognising the nationally significant productivity losses from congestion in Perth, the Perth CBD – North Corridor
Capacity Initiative is currently included as a High Priority Initiative on the Infrastructure Priority List.
The Yanchep Rail Extension is a project within the Western Australian Government’s METRONET rail program. It
would extend the Joondalup Line from Butler Station to Yanchep, 14.5 kilometres to the north, with new stations at
Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep. Extending the rail line to this growth area would provide more transport choices for
residents and reduce demand on the roads, particularly in the peak periods.
Infrastructure Australia strongly recommends planning for increased density within cities, rather than encouraging
people to live in outer urban areas that are far from centres of employment and education. To achieve this, Perth’s
northern urban boundary should be maintained to encourage more sustainable development patterns and to avoid
the need for further extensions of the Joondalup Line.
The Western Australian Government’s stated benefit-cost ratio for the project is 2.6, with a net present value of
$1,571 million excluding wider economic benefits (using a 7% real discount rate and a P50 capital cost estimate).

The evaluation found limitations in the business case which overstate the benefits estimated by the proponent. However, Infrastructure Australia is confident that the benefits of the project will clearly exceed its costs, supporting economic growth and improving the quality of life for people in the north-west sub-region.