Perth Voice Interactive

BAYSWATER train station is unlikely to get a substantial upgrade as part of the $2 billion Forrestfield-Airport Link because the local council failed to get its act together, says WA transport minister Dean Nalder.

The minister criticised Bayswater council for failing to develop a town centre vision in time for its ideas to be considered. He supports criticisms made by his parliamentary secretary, Jim Chown, in state parliament.

“I…expect the city to take responsibility in accepting that the state will be very restricted in its ability to live up to any expectations it may have in the immediate future as part of the Forrestfield–Airport Link project because of its earlier inaction,” Mr Chown told the Legislative Council.

“The City of Bayswater has made no serious progress on the development of a precinct vision for the land around Bayswater station.”

He says while the council has “finally stepped up to the plate” and indicated interest, the government hasn’t the budget or flexibility to accommodate last-minute changes to its project.

The council has not planned to develop a “structure plan” for its town centre until next financial year. Deputy mayor Stephanie Coates says she’ll ask for it to be brought forward to this year: “Bayswater is going to be the first stop on the train line from the airport,” she says. “We need to plan well so that visitors to Western Australia are greeted with a vibrant, inviting and attractive townsite.

“It will be important that the streetscapes look good, the shops are relevant to both local people and visitors, and the parking is well-planned.”

The Baysy Rollers, currently made up of 20 Bayswater residents and traders, met with federal Perth Labor MP Alannah MacTiernan and councillors this week to discuss revitalising the town.

“To our disappointment the proposed plans for the Bayswater station are almost non-existent, with the only proposed change being the provision of a disabled ramp,” Baysy Roller Kura Perkins says.

“The distinct lack of integrated infrastructure planning is very concerning and has been a keen topic of discussion amongst our members, local businesses and residents.

“We are advocating for sinking a short section of the rail line at the Bayswater subway, at the corner of King William Street and Whatley Crescent, to alleviate the common occurrence of trucks and larger vehicles being trapped under the subway, as well as to connect both sides of the town centre to create a more integrated and vibrant urban hub, which is currently divided by the railway line.”

Mr Nalder notes that sinking a 600m section of the Fremantle-Perth line cost $360 million.

Labor isn’t committing to an underground station either, but state Maylands Labor MP Lisa Baker says, “we will be considering a range of ideas and topics”, including “fixing dangerous level crossings, like Caledonian Avenue”.

The MP is holding a forum to discuss transport issues at The Rise in Maylands from 6pm, Monday, November 30.

by EMMIE DOWLING