Timeline for train never given: MLA

A timeline was never given for the proposed fast train between Perth and Bunbury, according to Bunbury MLA John Castrilli.

Mr Castrilli first floated the idea for a fast rail service in 1999 when he was mayor, releasing the South West Integrated Transport Strategy which included a proposal for a Very Fast Train.

Almost a decade later former Premier Alan Carpenter and then Planning Minister Alannah MacTiernan announced that a feasibility study would be done to examine if and when Perth should be linked to Bunbury by a high-speed passenger rail.

‘‘The study will look at a modern diesel train that would use the new electrified line from Perth to Cockburn Central, then proceed down the median of the Kwinana Freeway and the new Perth-Bunbury Highway,’’ Mr Carpenter said at the time.

‘‘The new and more direct route terminating in the Bunbury CBD could reduce travel time by at least a third, to about one and a half hours, based on train speeds of up to 160kmh.’’

This week, Mr Castrilli told the Bunbury Herald that prior to the last election, the State Government promised to investigate the feasibility of a fast train service — ‘‘a feasibility study which the previous government was not able to deliver in its eight years’’.

‘‘There was never a timeline given for its delivery,’’ he said.

‘‘That would be impossible at this early stage but this appears to be what (South West MLC) Adele Farina is trying to lead people to believe.’’

Ms Farina last week called on new Transport Minister Troy Buswell tocommit to building a Perth to Bunbury fast train.

She said the transport needs of the South West have been ignored under the Barnett Government.

Mr Castrilli said he welcomed news in February 2008 when Mr Carpenter announced the feasibility study, particularly since Ms Mac- Tiernan had in 2006tried unsuccessfully to scrap the Australind passenger train service.

He said when the new Liberal- National Government took office it found the promised feasibility study did not appear to have been started by the previous Government.

Mr Castrilli said the Barnett Government immediately ‘‘got the ball rolling’’ and called for tenders for a feasibility study for a potential future route in December 2008.