Last week's Lakelands Station funding announcement has created contrasting trains of thought in Mandurah and Rockingham, with uncertainty over the timescales for a new facility in Karnup.
Funding for the $80 million Lakelands station was confirmed last Wednesday, with the federal government committing 80 per cent of the required money and the state government fulfilling the other 20 per cent.
City of Mandurah mayor Rhys Williams said the hard advocacy work of both Canning MP Andrew Hastie and Mandurah MP David Templeman had led to a solution.
"This has been on the cards for the people of Lakelands for a long time - it is exciting for the people living in the northern suburbs of Mandurah," he said.
"I think it is exciting as well because the construction of this station will be based around local jobs - it's a big deal for our economy.
"I particularly want to say it is indicative of how we do things in Mandurah when we have got the state and federal governments working together and two local members pushing for a project that they were probably both told at times wasn't going to be a priority.
"As a result of their really clear advocacy, we now have it delivered - the people of Mandurah should be proud their parliamentarians work in that way."
The Lakelands announcement has thrown the future of a station at Karnup into some doubt, with WA Planning Minister Rita Saffioti confirming Lakelands would be constructed first due to the federal government's funding commitment.
City of Rockingham mayor Barry Sammels said assurances had previously been given that Karnup was a state government priority.
"Karnup and the surrounding suburbs including Secret Harbour, Golden Bay and Singleton are growing rapidly, with residents in these areas in urgent need of a new train station," he said.
"Currently there is 23km of railway line separating the nearest stations of Warnbro and Mandurah.
"Warnbro is already experiencing high demand and a station between the two in Karnup would play an integral role in alleviating the transport problem in the area.
"As a significant train/bus transfer hub, Karnup is going to be a transit-oriented development station with multiple opportunities for residential and mixed use commercial.
"Given all of these factors, the state government's decision to prioritise Lakelands over Karnup is extremely disappointing.
"The City urges the state government to provide a concrete funding commitment to build Karnup Train Station as a priority as part of Stage One of METRONET."
Gareth McKnight
Gareth McKnight is Mandurah Mail's editor.
Gareth McKnight is Mandurah Mail's editor.
