Historic tramway to connect to Whiteman Park Station
The State Government has announced a major tourism boost for Whiteman Park with the park's heritage tram line to be extended to the new Whiteman Park Train Station.
The project will see a new tram platform built just south of Whiteman Park Station, and the line extended east from the existing heritage line within the park.
The tramway is an iconic piece of Perth's history and its extension to the new train station will provide a unique way for local and international tourists to access Whiteman Park.
The project will be constructed using approximately 85 per cent recycled materials donated by industry partners, including from local projects such as ballast and pole bracket arms from the New Bayswater Station project.
The extension of the heritage tram line will include 1.3 kilometres of new tram line, 3,900 rail sleepers and 3,000 tonnes of ballast.
The State Government will invest around $1 million to deliver the project - with donated materials and in-kind support from industry partners significantly reducing overall costs.
Funding, donation of materials and labour is being provided by industry partners including Acciona Construction, Allworks WA, Alstom, Arc Infrastructure, BMD Constructions, Georgiou Group, Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction, North Metropolitan TAFE and WA Limestone Contracting.
North Metropolitan TAFE will provide rail industry students with hands-on training opportunities during project delivery. This will deliver a purpose-built rail welding truck that will be used on the project and to train future rail industry workers.
The new tram extension is expected to be in operation when the 21-kilometre Morley-Ellenbrook Line opens later this year.
To commemorate and celebrate the opening of the extension, free tram rides will be provided until the end of 2025.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said preserving rail history and providing a genuine rail heritage experience was important for visitors to WA and anyone who enjoyed a day out at Whiteman Park.
“Delivering the Morley-Ellenbrook Line provided an opportunity to connect people to Whiteman Park, and the extension of the heritage tram line will not only deliver a great experience for families but also provide a special way for people to access the park,” she said.
"We're proud to be working with the Perth Electric Tramway Society to connect the Whiteman Park heritage tram picnic areas and bushland that also connect an important tourist attraction to a growing community precinct.
"The resources provided by industry representatives, including the provision of recycled materials, support our vision for providing more than just transport projects but long-term legacies for our community and travellers to WA.”