Locals demand new train station amid ‘unacceptable' traffic
A 2km-long traffic snarl has renewed calls for more public transport and freeway entries in South Perth.
In a social media post, City of South Perth councillor Nic Covenery shared an image of cars which he said were banked up on Mill Point Road from Wesley College all the way to the freeway entry.
He said there was a crash that caused the significant back-up that morning but he frequently saw heavy traffic on the road.
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'This is not unfamiliar for residents in the mornings and afternoons during peak hour,' Cr Coveney said.
'This is unacceptable.'
The State Government has invested $1.4 billion for Metronet in the 2024-25 budget and is estimated to cost $12.4b on completion.
South Perth is not included in those plans. Traffic on Mill Point Road at 7am, backing up to Wesley College from the freeway entrance. Credit: Facebook
'We are no closer to the South Perth train station,' Cr Coveney said.
'If the State Government wants more high-rise development, it must provide the infrastructure to support it.'
Commentators shared their frustrations and ideas to help combat the huge traffic congestion in the area.
'Freeway entry at South Terrace and a ferry stop at Coode Street would help, as well as a South Perth train station,' one said.
'We really need a northbound freeway on-ramp from South Terrace, only have one way to get onto the freeway — via Mill Point Road.'
'It causes traffic to back up badly because the freeway's already busy, and having just one access point makes it worse,' another said.
One commentor suggested Cr Coveney make an appointment with South Perth MLA Geoff Baker to discuss the issue.
Cr Coveney said Mr Baker had not responded to any of his queries about traffic-related issues, including the train station and ferries. South Perth MLA Geoff Baker. Credit: Geoff Baker
Mr Baker told PerthNow he understood the concerns about traffic on Mill Point Road, but believed South Perth had some of the best public transport connections in the city which helped reduce a lot of the congestion the city experiences.
'The incredible new Boorloo Bridge is also offering new active transport opportunities for people in our community to get in and out of the city,' Mr Baker said.
'We've also delivered the Smart Freeway system on the Kwinana Freeway, which has significantly improved traffic movement on the freeway, facilitating easier access at the Mill Point Road on-ramps.'
Mr Baker said the State Government was targeting the worst traffic spot in South Perth with two projects.
'First is the Canning Bridge interchange upgrade, to remove buses from the interchange bridge and increase the numbers of public transport connections,' he said.
'The second is building Metronet on Swan, which will link Canning Bridge to UWA and Elizabeth Quay by ferry. These two projects will free up traffic over Canning Bridge and take cars off the freeway.'
City of South Perth mayor Greg Milner said advocating for better public transport infrastructure to reduce demand on the local road network was a priority for the city.
'The city has advocated for a South Perth train station for many years,' he said.
'In addition to the introduction of a South Perth train station, the city also advocates for an improved ferry service at Mends Street Jetty and higher frequency bus routes to provide better access to more efficient public transport for people who live, work and visit South Perth.'
Mr Milner said the State Government committed to building a train station in South Perth in 2002 when the Perth to Mandurah railway line was first proposed. Since then the population in the area has 'significantly increased' but a South Perth train station has not been built.
'The population of the City of South Perth is projected to grow to 65,842 by 2041,' Mr Milner said.
'As the capacity of the road network and the ability to increase this capacity is limited, there is an increasing need to reduce reliance on private vehicles and focus on shifting travel behaviours to active (pedestrian and cyclist) and public transport modes.
'While the city can provide upgrades to footpath and cycling networks, the delivery of a South Perth train station, improved ferry service and higher frequency bus routes are essential projects we are asking the State Government to consider.
'In the absence of this vital infrastructure, higher levels of congestion will continue to occur in peak periods.'
PerthNow contacted Transport Minister Rita Saffioti for comment.
Mr Milner said the City of South Perth would continue to advocate to the State Government for this 'vitally important transport infrastructure.'
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