• Projects include METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension, METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link and High Wycombe Train Station
• Yanchep Rail Extension tracking along with almost 400 workers currently employed
• Almost $30 million in Yanchep Rail Extension contracts awarded over past two months  

The McGowan Labor Government is delivering on its local jobs promise with 15 graduates from the first job-ready 'Infrastructure Ready' course employed on major METRONET projects. 

Premier Mark McGowan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti visited the METRONET Alkimos Station site today to view progress on the project and meet workers including a new trainee, who recently graduated from the new TAFE course and has been hired for work.

Fifteen graduates have been hired for roles across major infrastructure projects including the METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension, METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link and High Wycombe Train Station.

A further 35 students are currently enrolled in the Infrastructure Ready course, with almost half of this cohort women. 

It is anticipated the program will extend to regional Western Australia in 2021 as projects such as the Bunbury Outer Ring Road get underway.

Major works are continuing on the METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension, with $30 million worth of contracts awarded over the past two months.

This has included contracts to:

• Paving Solutions WA - to supply and install limestone retaining walls - approximately  $1 million;
• WA Limestone - material supply - approximately $1.2 million; and
• Permacast - pre-cast concrete platforms - approximately $2.5 million. 

On an average day, more than 40 pieces of heavy-duty plant equipment are operating across the Yanchep Rail Extension project's six sites, and this will grow to up to 200 during peak construction, with almost 400 workers currently employed across all sites.

Since mobilising to site, contractor NEWest Alliance (CPB Contractors and Downer) have completed a significant amount of work and completed utility service relocations on Yanchep Beach Road and Pipidinny Road.

Significant additional materials will be required to build the railway extension, including more than 9,000 tonnes of steel. More than 350,000 blocks will be used to build retaining walls on the project.

Earthworks are a significant portion of the work to be completed, with 1.75 million cubic metres of earth to be excavated in total for the project. Excavation is well underway at Alkimos, with 700,000m3 to be extracted from this site alone.

The northern suburbs are set to boom with 5,384 proposed residential lots in Yanchep, Eglinton and Alkimos currently with conditional approval, while an additional 485 lots were given recent final approval with the issue of certificates of title.

The $531 million project will enable travel from Yanchep into the central business district in 49 minutes, with construction expected to be completed in late 2022.

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

"My number one priority will always be local WA jobs.

"METRONET is under construction across our suburbs and it's employing local workers first, including new TAFE graduates - giving Western Australians real work opportunities.

"Our free short training courses aim to give graduates the job-ready skills they need to be immediately employable on our major infrastructure projects - and it's working.

"With nine METRONET projects under construction this year, and several more in the procurement phase, we are creating thousands of local jobs and opportunities for local businesses."

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"Our Government has $12 billion worth of transport infrastructure projects planned or underway over the next four years - it is crucial we have a skilled workforce that can deliver these major works.

"I met many of the students who graduated from the first cohort of the training course, only a few weeks ago, and it was so inspiring to hear their stories and why they had chosen to re-train.

"The METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension is tracking along with almost 400 workers directly employed across all sites and major works well underway.

"Combined with other major projects in the northern suburbs, including the Mitchell Freeway Extension and the rollout of Smart Freeways technology, we are creating local jobs and busting congestion."

Comments attributed to Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:

"The Infrastructure Ready short course was developed in consultation with industry to ensure students gain the skills needed for entry-level civil construction jobs.

"The course is a vital launch pad to entry-level jobs in civil construction that will provide pathways to full qualifications. I encourage anyone interested in this field to apply.

"The program will help engage displaced workers, including young people, women and mature age job seekers, to meet immediate and emerging skills requirements."

Premier's office - 6552 5000

Transport Minister's office - 6552 5500

Education and Training Minister's office - 6552 5700