Shovels are in the ground as construction commenced today on the new $32 million METRONET Mandurah Station multi-storey carpark.
The project is being undertaken by local Balcatta company PS Structures Pty Ltd and is estimated to support up to 120 jobs.
The structure will have three levels with an open-air top deck, and will be built within the existing northern car park's footprint. It will add about 700 new bays and increase the station's overall parking capacity to 1,800 bays.
More than 70 per cent of Mandurah Station passengers currently travel to the station by car, with the existing car park reaching 90 per cent capacity by around 9am on weekdays.
Premier Mark McGowan said he was pleased work on his Government's election commitment was being undertaken by a local WA company.
"It's important as we come out of the pandemic with a pipeline of work to support local companies and local workers, and this year alone we have seven METRONET projects underway, creating local jobs and opportunities for local businesses," Mr Gowan said.
"This is all part of our plan to keep Building for Tomorrow, which is about getting shovels into the ground and constructing lasting transport infrastructure across WA for generations to come.
"This project builds on the significant work and determination it took to build an actual train line to Mandurah."
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the project would strip hundreds of cars off the road, busting congestion on the corridor to and from Perth.
"Together with a new station at Lakelands, it will future-proof access to public transport for communities locally and across the Peel region," Mr Tudge said.
"Getting cracking on crucial infrastructure projects like the Mandurah Station carpark is exactly what WA needs right now because it means local jobs and a boost to the economy."
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the southern suburbs had been booming since the Mandurah Station was completed in 2007 and the line has the highest patronage across the rail network.
"Providing more parking at Mandurah Station was a key election commitment and we're proud to be getting on with METRONET," Ms Saffioti said.
"As an end-of-the-line station, Mandurah caters not just to those living and working in suburban Mandurah but those from further afar and these upgrades will help future-proof public transport for communities across the Peel region and beyond."
Federal Member for Canning Andrew Hastie said the lack of sufficient car parking bays at Mandurah Station had been a persistent local problem.
"Funding for this expansion was part of our commitment to the Mandurah community at the last election," Mr Hastie.
"I'm very pleased to see that promise becoming a reality.
"Expanding the station car park will make daily life much easier for local commuters and, together with the upcoming Lakelands Station, is a big step towards catering for the public transport needs of our fast-growing community."
State Member for Mandurah David Templeman said passenger growth on the Mandurah Line was not slowing down and more commuters would take advantage of the public transport network into the future.
"I am proud that we are delivering on our election commitment to build a multi-storey car park at Mandurah Station as part of METRONET," Mr Templeman said.
"While Mandurah and Peel businesses didn't bid for the project, we are pleased to have a local WA company contracted to get the job done and we look forward to local workers getting involved.
"This is a great step forward in delivering this METRONET project and I am pleased that Mandurah commuters will benefit from it."
As well as providing visual amenity, the car park's façade screening has been designed to protect users from the elements and maximise natural light and ventilation.
SmartParker machines, and a range of security and safety measures including lighting, CCTV and duress alarms at the lifts will be included.
A free, temporary car park has been established off Morfitt Street, but passengers are encouraged to find alternative means to and from the station where possible, as overall parking will be reduced during construction.
The new car park is expected to be open in the second half of 2021 and is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian governments.
