Opposition Leader and Shadow Transport Minister Shane Love has labelled the opening of the Yanchep rail line project as a staggering reminder of the cost of Labor’s signature election policy, which has ballooned from $3 billion to $13 billion since first announced.
Mr Love said the $10 billion cost blow-out to Metronet came as many families continued to struggle with housing and cost-of-living, and WA’s health system remained in chaos.
“Every day we call on the Government to fix our broken health system or support struggling families, but the Cook Labor Government remains blindly obsessed with a single project,” Mr Love said.
“Their reckless spending and project mismanagement have turned Metronet into a black hole for taxpayer dollars, feeding the insatiable Metrodebt monster.”
Mr Love highlighted the most recent State Budget, which allocated an additional $2 billion to Metronet, primarily to cover cost blow-outs.
“The Yanchep rail line project was originally budgeted at $420 million in 2018-19, and now, two years behind schedule, it has opened at a staggering cost of $1.2 billion,” he said.
“This 300 per cent increase comes with a reduction in scope, abandoning the 13-kilometre shared bike path originally planned alongside the track.”
Mr Love pointed out that every Metronet project seems plagued by similar budget blowouts.
“The Thornlie-Cockburn Link has grown from a $535 million project to a $1.3 billion project.
“This year alone, the Byford rail extension has seen a 68 per cent blowout, and the Victoria Park level crossing removal has grown by 55 per cent.
“This endless saga of cost overruns means Metrodebt is costing Western Australians a fortune, with little benefit for those outside the metropolitan area.”
Mr Love criticised the Government’s focus on Metronet at the expense of other critical infrastructure needs.
“While Labor fixates on Metronet, roads in the Mid West are crumbling, and vital transport projects like the Goldfields rail realignment are being ignored,” he said.
“This Government has no vision for WA beyond Metronet, and we are witnessing the neglect of our health system, housing, and other essential infrastructure to pay for this Metrodebt.”
Mr Love reiterated calls for a Special Inquiry into Government Programs and Projects to scrutinise the State Government’s economic management over the past seven years.
“This inquiry would examine the planning and management of major projects, like Metronet, which has spiralled in scope and budget without explanation or accountability.”
