As part of the 2022-23 State Budget, the McGowan Labor Government has allocated $25 million towards a new interchange on Tonkin Highway, north of Ellenbrook, to unlock housing opportunities to meet current and future demand.
An additional $25 million will be contributed through private investment and the Commonwealth Government has committed $50 million towards the project in its recent Federal Budget.
Major new developments are being planned on both sides of the Tonkin Highway to meet significant growing demand for housing in this popular north-east corridor.
The interchange will be located between Warbrook and Maralla roads, and will provide for urban development for approximately 10,000 homes, with an expected population increase of 30,000 people over the next 20 years.
The project will provide safer and more efficient access for residents in the area, coupled with other major economic infrastructure like the Tonkin Gap project and METRONET's Morley-Ellenbrook Line.
Areas to the north of this development are also proposed as future industrial land through the Bullsbrook Freight and Industrial Land Use Strategy with around 270 hectares and almost 9,000 jobs by 2040.
The interchange will substantially improve accessibility to these new industrial and residential estates, and is essential to facilitate the planned development for this fast-growing region.
Works on the project are expected to begin in 2024-25.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This brand new interchange will help create new suburbs and housing estates for our growing north-eastern corridor.
"The new interchange will allow for the creation of new homes for Western Australians.
"Importantly it will also unlock land to the north of Ellenbrook, providing up to 10,000 homes to support Perth's growing population which is driving demand for new, more affordable homes.
"These new homes will be well connected by road and will of course have access to the new METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line."
As stated by Swan Hills MLA Jessica Shaw:
"Ellenbrook continues to grow at an exponential rate and constituents in the north of our town continually tell me they need easier access to Tonkin Highway.
"This key piece of infrastructure will help thousands of current and future residents on their daily commute. I'm excited to see the difference it will make to our local area."
