Expert disputes rail lines outlook
Transport expert and Curtin University professor Peter Newman has rejected the claim that all future Perth rail lines will need to be built underground because there is not enough land.
Department of Transport director-general Reece Waldock made the claim at a parliamentary hearing this week when he revealed plans for an underground line from Morley to the city.
"Underground railway would have to be part of the future solutions of the city," Mr Waldock said. "We haven't got any more road corridor left. There's no reserve left."
But Professor Newman said there was plenty of space for heavy rail, particularly in roads.
"But it needs help from Main Roads, which it is not getting in projects like Gateway WA, a huge road reserve with no room for rail," he said.
"Our Ring Road concept that was revealed in _The West Australian _ in 2012 and picked up as part of the Labor Party's Metronet scheme uses a freight line and the Tonkin and Reid highways for heavy rail.
"A rail line from Thornlie to Jandakot is easy and cheap. It could be built for $200 million, the estimated cost delivered to Infrastructure Australia before the 2013 State election and strangely dropped and never announced.
"Why would this not be done very soon? Certainly it's feasible. Perhaps there are no marginal seats in this area, unlike Forrestfield, which gains most from the airport rail plan."
Professor Newman said it was outrageous to release plans for an underground line "in dribs and drabs" despite it being a major change from election commitments and previous plans.
He said the Barnett Government had "given up" on the MAX light rail project and was "putting off heavy rail virtually for ever".
