Forrestfield Airport Rail Link

Background

The Forrestfield Airport Rail Link is a major infrastructure project aimed at connecting Perth’s central business district (CBD) with the Perth Airport, facilitating efficient and convenient public transportation for the eastern metropolitan region of the city. With an estimated cost of $1.86 billion, this rail link represents a significant investment by the Western Australian Government, with support from Infrastructure Australia, to enhance urban mobility and align with strategic priorities on the national Infrastructure Priority List. Operational in October 2022, the rail link will shorten travel times between the Perth CBD and the airport, offering commuters a fast, reliable, and environmentally friendly alternative to road transport, and thereby reducing congestion and carbon emissions.

Our role

NineSquared played a pivotal role in bringing this project to fruition through its expertise in business case development and management. Engaged by the Western Australian Government’s Public Transport Authority, NineSquared led the preparation of a detailed business case, crucial for both state-level project validation and for obtaining federal support. This comprehensive business case covered a variety of critical aspects, including problem identification, options analysis, and cost-benefit evaluation. The analysis underscored the project’s potential to support economic growth, improve transportation accessibility, and meet projected passenger demand.

A major milestone for the Forrestfield Airport Rail Link project was the successful securing of Stage 4 funding, amounting to a $494 million commitment from the Australian Government, allocated as part of the 2016 Federal Budget. NineSquared’s expertise included coordinating closely with WA Government representatives and Infrastructure Australia to ensure the project’s priorities aligned with national infrastructure objectives and authoring critical sections of the successful business case that clarified the project’s necessity, outlined alternative transport solutions, and demonstrated the economic viability of the chosen rail link solution.

The business case also addressed the project’s anticipated impact on Perth’s urban development and environmental sustainability. By promoting a shift from road to rail, the Forrestfield Airport Rail Link aims to reduce vehicle traffic and improve air quality, aligning with broader governmental policies on sustainable city planning and green transportation. This rail link is expected to catalyse growth in the eastern metropolitan area, supporting local businesses and facilitating job creation, both during the construction phase and upon completion, as enhanced accessibility fosters regional economic development.

NineSquared’s successful management of the business case process highlights its expertise in guiding large-scale infrastructure projects from conceptualization through to funding acquisition. This accomplishment reflects NineSquared’s ability to integrate technical, economic, and regulatory perspectives into a cohesive narrative that resonates with both government stakeholders and funding bodies.

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