The Morley-Ellenbrook Line is a 21km-long rail line being developed along the Transperth network to provide improved transport facilities and connections to the communities in the suburbs located north-east of Perth, Australia.
The proposed line will begin at the existing Midland Line, east of Bayswater Station, and head north-east to Ellenbrook. It will run through land north of Marshall Road, along the western side of Drumpellier Drive (formerly New Lord Street) and terminates in the south of The Parkway (Ellenbrook).
Recommended White Papers
Recommended Buyers Guides
The Morley-Ellenbrook line will reduce congestion on existing and future roads. Passengers departing from Ellenbrook Station will enjoy a 30-minute direct ride to the Perth central business district (CBD), with no need to change trains. This is nearly half of the existing journey time for local residents, using public transportation.
McGowan’s Labor Government promised the project during the 2017 election as part of the Perth METRONET public transport programme. A tender for the conceptual planning of the Morley-Ellenbrook rail project was released in October 2017.
The Western Australian Government selected a team comprising Perth-based consultancy group ARUP, Roberts Day and Ernst and Young to undertake options analysis and design work for the Morley-Ellenbrook line in April 2018.
The initial survey phase of the project was completed in early 2018, while construction commenced in January 2021with completion scheduled for 2024.
The rail enabling works for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line will be completed in late 2022. The project, which is Perth’s greatest public transportation project since the Mandurah Line, will support roughly 6500 employment and contribute to the development of vibrant new communities.
Morley-Ellenbrook line details
The proposed Morley-Ellenbrook line will feature six stations along the Transperth network, including Morley, Noranda, Malaga, Bennett Springs, Whiteman and Ellenbrook, which will be built in the Ellenbrook town centre.
Malaga station will be built on the government-owned land on Marshall road and aims to connect Ballajura, Alexander Heights, Landsdale and the Malaga employment district.
Whiteman station will serve the people around Brabham and Henley Brook areas and those visiting Whiteman Park. Morley station aims to connect the Walter road in Morley along with the Morley town centre while the Noranda station will connect Benara road to better serve to the surrounding suburbs.
The existing Bayswater station will be relocated to serve the Midland, Forrestfield-Airport Link and the future Morley-Ellenbrook line. Work includes the upgrade of existing infrastructure, including signalling systems, and construction of new rail infrastructure between Bayswater and Meltham stations. An automatic train control system will also be installed as part of the upgrade.
The project includes the construction of four bus interchanges, three tunnels and two viaducts, as well as the installation of 65,000 railway sleepers.
Upon completion of the upgrade, the Bayswater station will become a key transport hub connecting all the stations in the Transperth network along with the town centre.
Passengers from Perth’s north-eastern suburbs may connect at Bayswater Station and travel to the Perth CBD, airport, Optus Stadium, Fremantle, and Mandurah.
Financing for the Morley-Ellenbrook line
The estimated investment for the Morley-Ellenbrook rail line is A$863m ($665m). The McGowan Government allocated A$20m ($15m) in the 2017-18 state budget to fund the planning and design work.
The Federal Government will provide up to $500m ($388m) for the construction of the proposed line as part of the $1.05bn federal investment allocated to METRONET in the 2018-19 Commonwealth Budget.
Rolling stock
The future Morley-Ellenbrook rail line is expected to employ C-Series trains, which will be designed to provide comfort for passengers.
Trains will feature four doors per car to provide passengers with quick and convenient access at station platforms. The trains are scheduled to begin service in late 2024.
Morley-Ellenbrook rail project benefits
The Morley-Ellenbrook rail project is expected to further expand Perth’s existing heavy rail network and create more than 3,000 jobs during the construction phase.
The line is also anticipated to provide improved connectivity, and reliable and safe services during peak hours.
The project is also expected to reduce traffic congestion for people living in Ellenbrook, Whiteman, Dayton, and Brabham.
Contractors involved
MELconnx consortium was awarded the contract for concept designs as well as architectural detail for each station and construction of the 21km-long line, in October 2020. The consortium comprises Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction and Arup.
Evolve Bayswater Alliance, comprising Coleman Rail and Decmil, secured the contract to design and build the new Bayswater Station project in May 2020.
