Byford Rail Extension Online Session Q & A
Question/Comment
1. Will the proposed second train line be
built on the east or western side of the
existing line?
2. Will there be noise walls installed along
the proposed Byford Rail Extension not
only for reducing the noise from the
much more frequent train service but
also to provide a safety barrier for
people whose houses back directly on
to the train line with rural fencing?
3. Has METRONET taken into
consideration that there is a natural
gas pipeline that runs alongside the
existing railway line on the western
side in the Darling Downs area? There
is a maximum allowable vibration level
within the proximity of the gas pipeline
to ensure that no damage occurs to the
gas pipeline. Is METRONET aware of
the gas pipeline?
4. Will the line be a double train line or
remain as a single train line?
5. What is the expected traffic flow from
Butcher Road through the tunnel to
Vlasich Road?
6. Larsen Road turning right onto South
Western Highway is already perilous
with traffic flow. Will this intersection
be redeveloped to ensure a safer exit
with increased traffic flow?
Response
This is yet to be determined and will be
developed as part of this project definition
phase.
Yes, the rail corridor will be completely secured
with fencing to provide a safety barrier from
people accessing the electrified rail network.
The nature of the fencing though will be
developed in this project definition phase,
which will identify what, if any, noise walls will
be required. This will be informed by noise and
vibration modelling, which will continue as the
design progresses.
Yes, METRONET is aware of the gas pipeline
and other services in the area (water,
communications, power etc) that may be
impacted by the project. The team will work
with the asset owners to identify the best ways
to address these assets.
It will be an extension of the urban electrified
double railway - as per the urban Transperth
network. This will enable trains to run as
efficiently as possible by moving in both
directions concurrently.
Removing access between Butcher Road and
Thomas Road will require residents of
approximately 35 properties to travel along
Vlasich Road and Hay Road for direct access
to Thomas Road, and along George Street and
Larsen Road to access South Western
Highway. Traffic modelling is continuing to
ensure the impacts to residents are as minimal
as possible
Traffic modelling for the broader project will
take place as part of this project definition
phase to give an understanding of what the
traffic flow will be like at day one of any
changes and in the future. The results of the

7. How many trains per hour/day are
being proposed to run between
Armadale and Byford?
8. Will the level crossing on Eleventh
Road be upgraded? It would be good
for that to be removed with a road
going under/over the rail line.
9. Will Sansimeon Road be extended to
Abernethy Road to reduce traffic
turning up Larsen Road to avoid the
Thomas Road overpass?
10. Is Abernethy rail crossing part of this
development?
11. Please can you advise what
consideration has been taken
regarding the Larsen Road rail
crossing and the impact it may have on
Marri Grove Primary School.
12. Why was Byford not linked to the
Cockburn Line as originally planned?
13. How far progressed are the
environmental approvals?
14. What about the high-pressure gas line
on the Armadale to Byford Line?
15. When are the anticipated operational
timeframes for the stations?
16. Would you consider diverting the rail
line down the South West Highway?
modelling will help inform the treatment of
intersections and crossings.
The expected timetable will follow the current
Armadale Line frequency, which is eight trains
per hour to the CBD during peak time (7am-
9am and 4pm – 6pm). The final timetable,
including bus services in the area, will be
confirmed closer to when the extension will
become operational.
The project will look at all the level crossings
within the alignment. We are still in the early
concept design phase for these crossings, so
we don’t have a confirmed option at this stage.
Sansimeon Road forms part of the Byford
Structure Plan. It is a proposed road that feeds
the future town centre. While the construction
of the road is not directly part of the project, it
will be assessed as part of the design work.
This crossing is not part of the current project
as it is not impacted by the new station which
will be 400m north of the crossing.
Each of the level crossings will be assessed.
We don’t have a solution for Larsen Road at
this stage. Any solution will consider overall
access in the area, available land around the
crossing, safety, potential impacts, cost and
connectivity to South West Highway.
One of the long list options was to connect
Byford to the west, however looking at the
projections of where passengers will travel, this
option was deemed unviable. A connection to
Cockburn was not considered.
The project is in the early stages of its
environmental approval, which will be referred
to Commonwealth and State governments,
with the initial referral already submitted. There
is still a lot of work to continue as the design
progresses further.
Answered in Question 3
Project timeframes will be confirmed when a
main contractor is appointed in mid-2021.
Moving the rail corridor closer to South West
Highway was considered in the assessment of
options. However this was not deemed viable
as they did not meet all the project benefits.
17. The noise panels, I would presume,
would go where the Byford school will
be affected?
18. What will be the proposed size of the
car park at the new Byford Station?
19. Will there be compulsory acquisition of
private property?
20. Regarding the Thomas Road overpass -
are you keeping all the
vegetation? There is a small creek and
trees between Vlasich Road and
Thomas Road, will these trees be
kept? Also, how much extra traffic are
you expecting to now go down Vlasich
Road?
21. Has there been any consideration with
regards to the devaluation of properties market rates are dependent on so much more
backing onto the train line in the rural than just the infrastructure or project.
settings?
22. 10 trains per hour is more than what
goes to Armadale... Armadale gets
trains every 15 mins - why so many
trains?
23. I understand that the actual project
completion has yet to be decided once
contract(s) are awarded, but has
METRONET set an estimated
completion date?
24. I am a land owner on Kentucky Drive in
Darling Downs and I would like to know
why the land owners were not
consulted about the Thomas Road
bridge. The first time we found out
about it was last week.
25. Given that there is currently no
pedestrian bridge over the rail
connecting east to west, and
considering the development of the
Byford Town Centre on the west side of
the proposed rail, has any
consideration been given to any new
Noise and vibration modelling will continue as
the design progresses. This will identify what, if
any, and where noise walls will be required.
At Byford Station there is proposed to be up to
600 bays. The infrastructure and land use
planning team will work closely together;
encouraging a mode shift away from cars to
support bus services and having more people
within walking distance.
Where land acquisition is required, the State
Government will liaise with landowners directly.
However, as we don’t take land acquisition
lightly, we will look at the designs to minimise
the impact as much as possible.
There is likely to be some clearing required,
most of this is non-native. We are
endeavouring to retain as much vegetation
around the creek as we can, which is one of
the key objectives in the design development.
See Question 5 and 6 in regard to traffic
modelling.
That is not a consideration of the project, as
As previously mentioned, the frequency of
services will be decided closer to the line
becoming operational, but is expected to follow
existing service frequency – see Question 7.
No, we haven’t, because we don’t have the
information yet. However, we will be able to
provide these timelines once the main
contractor is appointed.
We’ve commenced that process with respect to
Thomas Road, and we will continue to provide
information and meet one-on-one with the
impacted landowners. We are early in the
process and intend to continue engaging with
all of the affected community throughout the
Thomas Road project.
Pedestrian and cyclist connectivity is a priority
when looking at station and station precinct
design. We are currently working with the Shire
on where these opportunities are. Our
designers will also consider the safety, use and
accessibility of any connectivity options
considered.
 connection likely taking on a large
volume of pedestrians who might not
necessarily be using the train in
Byford?
26. How will Darling Downs residents,
especially those who back onto the rail
line be compensated? Or what will be
done to lessen the impact this has on
us? For example, noise congestion,
pollution, sight of the trains, and safety
for kids. The back-wire fencing
currently is only 1 metre high.
27. Why is the train service referred to as
being from Armadale to Byford - will it
connect all the way through to Perth
without having to swap trains?
28. The station at Byford will be its
symbolic front door, the first and last
thing people see on a day to day basis.
What architectural themes underpin
modern day station design?
29. Will public artwork be a component of
the project delivery? It would be great
to have local artists or kids contribute
to this element to enable positive early
engagement and ownership of the
station precinct!
Noise and vibration mitigation will be
considered as part of the project as previously
discussed. Overall, the nature of the fencing
will be developed in this project definition
phase, which will identify general type of
fencing along the alignment.
Yes, the Byford Rail Extension is simply an
extension of the existing urban rail line through
from Armadale Station. There will be no need
to change trains at Armadale to connect to
Perth. It is anticipated the train journey from
Byford to Perth will be approximately 42mins.
As the project is now in the concept design
phase there is currently an opportunity for the
community to contribute to the themes,
including the architectural themes to be
considered for the new Byford Station. The
insights gained from the community will be
used to inform many aspects of the place
planning for the precinct surrounding the
station as well as for the public art that will be
included in the station design.
Yes, the METRONET program has a Public Art
Strategy in place and public art will be a
component of the project and be designed to
reflect local identity, stories, history and cultural
heritage, including Noongar heritage. Following
the completion of the community consultation
the local themes will be identified for informing
the delivery of public art as part of the project.