Media Statements | 4 December 2017

The first station on the Forrestfield Line will now be called Redcliffe. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti announced the name change on December 4, after 81 per cent of residents identified Redcliffe as their preferred name.

 

Locals have voted overwhelmingly in favour of renaming the first new station on the METRONET Forrestfield-Airport Link, Redcliffe.

The McGowan Government asked the Public Transport Authority to initiate the survey in October in response to community debate over the station's name.

The survey enabled community members the chance to pick the current name, Belmont, or to name the first station on the line after its geographical location, Redcliffe.

After one month, 852 residents completed the online survey with 691 (81 per cent) choosing Redcliffe Station.

Construction of Redcliffe Station is well underway, and will eventually form the centre of METRONET's first transport oriented development - a precinct of apartments, shops and entertainment where walking, cycling and public transport are made easy.

Redcliffe is one of up to 18 stations that will be built as part of METRONET, which will add about 72 kilometres of new passenger rail to the Perth public transport network.

The rail line will add an expected 20,000 daily trips to the rail network by 2021. It is part of the Government's METRONET plan to connect suburbs, reduce road congestion and meet Perth's future planning needs.

The first tunnel, dug by TBM Grace, is now more than one kilometre long. More information is available at http://www.forrestfieldairportlink.wa.gov.au

 

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"I would like to thank all the residents who participated in this survey to help shape the future of their suburbs, just like our METRONET plan will do throughout Perth.

"When I became Minister for Transport, I was told by many residents, local government and parliamentary colleagues that they did not believe Belmont Station - a name chosen by the former government - was appropriate for a train station located in the suburb of Redcliffe.

"I thought it was important to see if this sentiment spread through the wider community, and I am pleased to say the strong results of this survey show the will of the people."

 

Comments attributed to Belmont MLA Cassie Rowe:

"This is a win for people in the eastern suburbs who clearly wanted to see the history of Redcliffe respected.

"The former government's proposal to name the station Belmont surprised a lot of people given the station is about five kilometres away from Belmont town centre.

"I look forward to being there to see Redcliffe Station in all its glory when the Forrestfield-Airport Link opens."

 

Media line: (08) 9326 2526 or media@pta.wa.gov.au

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