WA government to consider return of Perth to Albany passenger rail service

In short:

A community group in WA's Great Southern is calling for a feasibility study into the return of passenger rail between Perth and Albany.

Towns along the proposed line say a rail service would boost social and economic support for the region.

What's next?

The state government says regaining control of WA's freight rail network would allow it to consider new passenger rail opportunities.

The WA government's plan to buy back the state's freight rail network has opened the door for a passenger train from Perth to Albany to also be introduced.

Communities in the Great Southern region say a passenger train would help connect towns to vital services as well as boost tourism.

The Great Southern Railway, built in the 1900s, stretches 450 kilometres from Perth to the city of Albany, and passes through half a dozen towns including Narrogin, Wagin, Katanning, Tambellup and Mount Barker.

There have been several attempts to bring back the passenger line since it was scrapped in 1978, but none has been successful.

Push for passenger rail

Rail advocacy group Countrynet Rail Alliance says the state buyback of the freight network presents an opportunity to revive both agricultural and passenger services.

"As part of the buyback, I think it is time to actually take a really good look at this from an economic perspective and to look at all of the potential gains and benefits that could come from it," spokesperson Simon Lyas said.

"It's cheaper to do it now than it will be in 10 or 20 years, and I think that's why it warrants a particularly special investigation and feasibility study to find out what the costs would be and what the benefits would be."

The state government said bringing the regional rail network back under public control was its top priority. It has shown in-principle support for the return of a Great Southern passenger rail.

"Public control of the network will allow for the consideration of new passenger rail opportunities,"a spokesperson for Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said.

"However, passenger rail requires significant investment, both in terms of capital expenditure and ongoing operational costs, to make it a viable alternative to road transport."

The proposal has received support from the City of Albany and other major regional towns along the route.

Tourism offering

Albany Mayor Greg Stocks, who recalls travelling on the original passenger train line as a 16-year-old, said the community had long hoped for the return of the service.

"We certainly support it … there are a lot of people in Albany who would like to see the return of that service," he said.

Mr Stock said the line would benefit businesses in the city that catered to tourists but also support the wider economy of the Great Southern region.

"I think there might be a unique tourism offer on that and the experience of actually going through the hinterland as well,"he said.

"There are a lot of shires along that railway line that are very keen to see it happen, so there'll certainly be benefit for them as well."

Mr Stocks said the city supported a feasibility study, but it was already seeking funding from the state on other priorities such as housing, health, roads and education.

Vital lifeline

Katanning Shire President Kristy D'Aprile said a passenger train line would help those residents between Perth and Albany who struggled to access social services in the country.

"Katanning struggles with health care and education and those things that are very typical of a smaller regional community," she said.

"Having a passenger rail service will allow our community access to those services that are likely going to be based in either Albany or in Perth."

Ms D'Aprile said the line would also support industry and agricultural businesses in Katanning, one of the Great Southern economic and industrial hubs, to attract and retain workers.

"Often, they are coming down to work in either our abattoir or on our farms. So having a reliable, regular passenger rail network will enhance accessibility for our employees and our workforce," she said.

Curtin University professor of sustainability Peter Newman said there was a strong case for bringing back the passenger rail by looking to other jurisdictions across the country.

"Trains are very popular … they work, and that's now on the agenda in country towns," he said.

"Other states in Australia like New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, they've got far more of that country service running, and it's really helping those country towns."