Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time A 15-year-old schoolboy has been arrested and charged over the alleged assault of a 14-year-old at a shopping centre in Perth’s north-east on Wednesday that reportedly left him with a broken jaw requiring surgery Witnesses claim they saw a group of boys at the Ellenbrook Central shopping centre near a café when an altercation ensued and the victim had his head “stomped on” The incident allegedly happened at Ellenbrook Central WA Police said the victim was approached by the group The victim’s father took to social media to confirm his son had suffered a number of seizures and had his jaw broken in two places after the incident attracted attention online He also said the teen was in spinal precautions and had to undergo surgery on Thursday morning The father claimed that other children were filming the alleged assault and posting footage online The students are believed to be from Aveley Secondary College officers were called to the shopping centre about 4.20pm in response to the incident where they stated that the victim received “serious facial injuries” and was conveyed to hospital for treatment “A 15-year-old male has been arrested and charged with one count of ‘Acts intended to cause harm or endanger the life health or safety of any person’,” a police spokesperson said The teen was released on bail and will appear in Midland Children’s Court at a later date Detectives wish to speak to anyone who saw the incident and is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online via www.crimestopperswa.com.au  A 15-year-old schoolboy has been arrested and charged over the alleged assault of a 14-year-old at a shopping centre in Perth\\u2019s north-east on Wednesday that reportedly left him with a broken jaw requiring surgery Witnesses claim they saw a group of boys at the Ellenbrook Central shopping centre near a caf\\u00E9 when an altercation ensued and the victim had his head \\u201Cstomped on\\u201D The victim\\u2019s father took to social media to confirm his son had suffered a number of seizures and had his jaw broken in two places after the incident attracted attention online officers were called to the shopping centre about 4.20pm in response to the incident where they stated that the victim received \\u201Cserious facial injuries\\u201D and was conveyed to hospital for treatment \\u201CA 15-year-old male has been arrested and charged with one count of \\u2018Acts intended to cause harm or endanger the life health or safety of any person\\u2019,\\u201D a police spokesperson said The teen was released on bail and will appear in Midland Children\\u2019s Court at a later date Detectives wish to speak to anyone who saw the incident and is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online via This is probably not the page you’re looking for The Ellenbrook Train Line has officially arrived marking an exciting new chapter for Perth’s northeast suburbs Stretching from Bayswater Station to Ellenbrook this state-of-the-art rail line connects residents to the heart of Perth and beyond The line makes it easier than ever to commute and enjoy the best the region has to offer Getting started is simple! Download the Transperth app to plan your trip and explore the new line or exploring the region for the first time Say goodbye to traffic and parking headaches The Ellenbrook Line has arrived to take you on a journey to remember – here’s a few of the fun stops you can make along the way: Charlies Fresh Food MarketKick off your journey with a sensory feast at Charlies Fresh Food Market This bustling market is a haven for fresh produce Whether you’re shopping for dinner ingredients or enjoying the vibrant atmosphere it’s a local treasure that’s now easier to access than ever before Bayswater Skate ParkA quick bus ride or a short walk from Morley Station, Bayswater Skate Park offers something for skaters of all skill levels including huge halfpipes and a BMX track if two wheels is more your speed Bayswater WavesNearby, if you’re looking to cool off or enjoy a family swim, Bayswater Waves is the go-to aquatic centre with pools and play areas for all ages Varsity MorleyPerfect for grabbing a bite after exploring, and watching sport on its many big screens, Varsity is Perth’s go-to for mouthwatering burgers From the Morley Station just jump on the connecting bus to the renamed Galleria Bus Station and it’s a short walk from there Lightning Swamp BushlandEscape the urban hustle and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Lightning Swamp Bushland making it an ideal morning or afternoon spent for nature lovers and birdwatchers Maison Saint Honoré, CavershamJust a short bus transfer from Noranda Station, Maison Saint Honoré is one of Perth’s best purveyors of naughty but oh-so-nice treats and delicious coffee while soaking up the charming atmosphere of this boutique patisserie Perth Ice ArenaLooking for a fun day out with the fam or a quirky date night spot? Whether you’re an ice-skating pro or a first-timer, Perth Ice Arena brings equal nostalgic vibes in a fun and casual atmosphere now closer than ever thanks to a quick trip along the new train line Malaga MarketsWe love a good growers market around Perth, and Malaga Markets is one of Perth’s best (and most fun!) colourful characters and fresh local produce to stock the pantry you could spend a whole day at Malaga Markets Pinelli Estate Winery, CavershamLocated near Whiteman Park Station, getting the train (followed by a short bus ride) to Pinelli Estate Winery is far better than driving and it means you can properly enjoy a tasting session of their award-winning wines modern menu for lunch from Wednesday-Saturday Whiteman ParkThis expansive park is the pride of Caversham and a must-visit for families and outdoor lovers A day trip destination all in its own right you’ll find an array of attractions like the Motor Museum Slate CafeSlate Cafe is truly magical there is heaps of space for kids to live their best lives which make any visit a rewarding experience This is truly a place where everyone is welcome and just as much love goes into the menu Amarettos RestaurantAnother hidden gem of the north now unlocked, Amarettos Restaurant serves up authentic Italian cuisine in a warm and welcoming setting It’s the perfect spot to while the hours away after getting a bit of shopping done open for lunch and dinner seven days a week Rainbow Waters PlaygroundThe Ellenbrook Line’s summer opening is perfect timing for trips to its popular Rainbow Waters Playground One of the largest water playgrounds in Perth shaded areas and toilets making it a great spot for a day out with the little ones Swan Valley Cuddly Animal FarmGet up close with cute and cuddly creatures at this family-friendly animal farm You’ll find a bunch of unique characters including Pearl the Clydesdale horse Sam-mule the miniature mule and Pippa the milking goat There’s also an onsite cafe for a quick bite to eat and coffee West Australian Reptile ParkIf you prefer your creatures a little more scaly and crawly, you can learn about Australia’s fascinating reptiles at this educational and interactive park It’s a great way to connect with wildlife and learn about the diverse creatures that call Australia home Start planning your Ellenbrook Train Line journey now via Transperth This article is sponsored by PTA and endorsed by us. Please see our Editorial Policy for more info. Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) Live, teach and work in WA Teach and work in regional WA Teach and work in regional WA Benefits, incentives and allowances Specialist, corporate and support staff Swimming and water safety careers About us Our people Our people Community consultations on schooling Ellenbrook Secondary College’s exceptional vocational education and training (VET) program has again been recognised at the 2024 WorldSkills VETiS Regional Competition recognising the success of its VET program Ellenbrook Secondary College won the WA School Shield Photo provided by Department of Training and Workforce Development 2024 have also been added to the 83-member team of the WA Training Squad of which some will represent the state at the 2025 WorkSkjlls Australia National Championships in Brisbane in June.  said that it was a proud and exhilarating moment when she heard the school had won.   “It’s a true testament to the hard work and dedication of both our staff and students in these competitions,” she said.   “Winning the Best School Award for two consecutive years is an extraordinary accomplishment and a reflection of our strong community spirit and commitment to excellence.   “(The students) are truly deserving of their achievements and as a college we are excited to see how they perform at the upcoming national competition.”  There are 32 school students included in that 83-person squad.  The WA Training Squad for the championship was announced at a medal ceremony in at Crown Perth held to recognise 213 competitors who excelled in this year's regional competitions.  Throughout 2024 there were 75 regional WorldSkills competitions held including 30 Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) events attracting almost 500 competitors from across WA WorldSkills competitions showcase vocational training excellence and benchmark competitors' skills across a variety of industry areas students and graduates compete against their peers and the clock in set tasks and with strict judging criteria.  Young Western Australians took part in regional competitions across 37 industry skills including automotive the WA Training Squad will undergo further training with expert industry mentors supporting them in their pursuit to secure places in Team WA.  For more information on the competition visit WorldSkills Australia.   families and communities are the first educators of their children and we recognise and value the cultures and strengths that Aboriginal children bring to the classroom Aboriginal people have a long tradition of teaching and learning through sharing their connections with country stories and lived experiences that are passed from generation to generation We recognise and value the learning that Aboriginal children bring with them from their homes and communities into the classroom Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback Exclusions may apply The parents of a 15-year-old boy accused of viciously assaulting a fellow student at an Ellenbrook shopping centre earlier this month have apologised to the victim’s father for their son’s alleged behaviour The alleged “coward punch” attack happened on April 2 after school with witnesses at the time claiming the victim was walking through Ellenbrook Central with friends before he was hit in the back of the head A 15-year-old boy accused of a “coward punch” attack in Ellenbrook outside Perth Children’s Court on Wednesday.Credit: 9News Perth The 14-year-old victim was taken by ambulance to hospital where he underwent surgery for a broken jaw and suffered a number of seizures A 15-year-old student who attended the same high school was later arrested and charged over the alleged attack who attended Perth Children’s Court on Wednesday to come face to face with his son’s alleged attacker But the boy’s parents approached him as he was entering the courtroom apologising for their son’s alleged behaviour “[The accused’s father] said he wished that his son was locked up and in [the alleged victim’s] place,” the boy’s father told media outside court But the victim’s father said the apology “means nothing” as his son battles suicidal ideation mental health issues and ongoing health complications stemming from the alleged attack He also claimed the boy’s school had advised against him returning next week because they could not guarantee he would be safe the 15-year-old’s father told media his son would not be returning to the school adding that he was “as outraged” by his son’s alleged behaviour as the rest of the community “Our thoughts and prayers certainly go out to the boy’s family and to [the boy] himself and that’s from the bottom of our hearts,” he said The father said: “Justice will come in another couple of weeks.” he responded that he was doing his best as a parent “We can only do our best can’t we?” he said During his appearance in court on Wednesday it was revealed the 15-year-old also faced a burglary charge from the same date as the alleged assault His lawyer told the court her client intended to enter a plea of guilty to both charges and she was waiting for CCTV footage of the incident before asking for a three-week adjournment The boy’s bail was renewed on the same terms He will be back before Perth Children’s Court next month Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter The parents of a 15-year-old boy accused of viciously assaulting a fellow student at an Ellenbrook shopping centre earlier this month have apologised to the victim\\u2019s father for their son\\u2019s alleged behaviour claiming they have \\u201Cno control over him\\u201D The alleged \\u201Ccoward punch\\u201D attack happened on April 2 after school who attended Perth Children\\u2019s Court on Wednesday to come face to face with his son\\u2019s alleged attacker But the boy\\u2019s parents approached him as he was entering the courtroom apologising for their son\\u2019s alleged behaviour \\u201C[The accused\\u2019s father] said he wished that his son was locked up and in [the alleged victim\\u2019s] place,\\u201D the boy\\u2019s father told media outside court saying they wish it didn\\u2019t happen.\\u201D But the victim\\u2019s father said the apology \\u201Cmeans nothing\\u201D as his son battles suicidal ideation He also claimed the boy\\u2019s school had advised against him returning next week the 15-year-old\\u2019s father told media his son would not be returning to the school adding that he was \\u201Cas outraged\\u201D by his son\\u2019s alleged behaviour as the rest of the community \\u201COur thoughts and prayers certainly go out to the boy\\u2019s family and to [the boy] himself and that\\u2019s from the bottom of our hearts,\\u201D he said We\\u2019re a part of that community.\\u201D The father said: \\u201CJustice will come in another couple of weeks.\\u201D \\u201CWe can only do our best can\\u2019t we?\\u201D he said \\u201CThat\\u2019s all we can really do.\\u201D The boy\\u2019s bail was renewed on the same terms He will be back before Perth Children\\u2019s Court next month Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories Aveley Secondary College in Perth’s north-east has released a statement after a student was arrested over the alleged assault of a 14-year-old fellow student at Ellenbrook Central shopping centre on Wednesday The incident after school was witnessed by numerous onlookers who described seeing the boy approached by a group of others and allegedly assaulted Police have confirmed the alleged attacker and victim were known to each other The teen was left with serious facial injuries including a broken jaw and was having seizures calling for justice and claiming other students stood by watching and filming the alleged incident but his MRI scans showed some bleeding on the brain The father said there was “blood and carnage everywhere” afterwards people standing by videoing what’s happening and just seeing my son in pain.” The boy’s father is not the only one upset with angry Ellenbrook locals writing to Premier Roger Cook to demand the alleged attacker be kept behind bars The boy’s 15-year-old alleged attacker was arrested by police on Thursday charged with one count of committing acts intended to cause harm or endanger a person’s life He was granted bail to appear in court at a later date Aveley Secondary College principal Stephen Pestana released a statement to parents “The school is taking this matter very seriously and has taken very strong action with the student,” he said Aveley Secondary College principal Stephen Pestana has released a statement to parents about the incident.Credit: Facebook “The action extends to incidents that occur offsite if there is a connection to the school.” Pestana said students would face strong consequences if they engaged in violent or antisocial acts “I ask all parents and the community work together with the school on this,” Pestana said “I am aware that the local shopping centre has put in place some measures to keep young people safe “We fully support the shopping centre management requirements for zero tolerance on disruptive and aggressive behaviour and will take strong action if they bring any inappropriate behaviour to my attention.” Frustrated members of the Ellenbrook community are attempting to rally support from the community for a protest over the school’s “lack of action at the serious assault in Ellenbrook” Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti took to social media on Friday afternoon to say she and member for Swan Hills had been in contact with local police and the Police Minister to request extra police presence at the shopping centre particularly during the after-school period She said she understood “the deep concern within the Ellenbrook community about what is happening at the shopping centres after school” “We also intend to work with local high schools the shopping centre management and local police to explore what else can be done to help ensure our community can feel safer,” she said “We have scheduled a meeting for this to occur on Monday morning “We thank the members of the community who have reached out to us to voice their concerns We are working through these emails to respond to you all.” Saffioti added that her thoughts were with the family of the 14-year-old Aveley Secondary College in Perth\\u2019s north-east has released a statement after a student was arrested over the alleged assault of a 14-year-old fellow student at Ellenbrook Central shopping centre on Wednesday The father said there was \\u201Cblood and carnage everywhere\\u201D afterwards people standing by videoing what\\u2019s happening and just seeing my son in pain.\\u201D The boy\\u2019s father is not the only one upset The boy\\u2019s 15-year-old alleged attacker was arrested by police on Thursday charged with one count of committing acts intended to cause harm or endanger a person\\u2019s life \\u201CThe school is taking this matter very seriously and has taken very strong action with the student,\\u201D he said \\u201CThe action extends to incidents that occur offsite if there is a connection to the school.\\u201D \\u201CI ask all parents and the community work together with the school on this,\\u201D Pestana said \\u201CI am aware that the local shopping centre has put in place some measures to keep young people safe \\u201CWe fully support the shopping centre management requirements for zero tolerance on disruptive and aggressive behaviour and will take strong action if they bring any inappropriate behaviour to my attention.\\u201D Frustrated members of the Ellenbrook community are attempting to rally support from the community for a protest over the school\\u2019s \\u201Clack of action at the serious assault in Ellenbrook\\u201D She said she understood \\u201Cthe deep concern within the Ellenbrook community about what is happening at the shopping centres after school\\u201D \\u201CWe also intend to work with local high schools the shopping centre management and local police to explore what else can be done to help ensure our community can feel safer,\\u201D she said \\u201CWe have scheduled a meeting for this to occur on Monday morning \\u201CWe thank the members of the community who have reached out to us to voice their concerns We are working through these emails to respond to you all.\\u201D Ellenbrook locals are well aware their master planned community is often derisively referred to by the nickname Felonbrook a reflection of growing concerns over crime in the area Now an increase in issues there has prompted the formation of a working group The move comes after a 14-year-old boy was allegedly coward punched and stomped on by a fellow student from Aveley Secondary College while at Ellenbrook Central shopping centre after school on April 2 The incident left the boy with a broken jaw that required surgery and suffering from seizures. He remains in hospital as doctors investigate whether he has been left with any lasting cognitive damage Police arrested a 15-year-old boy and charged him with one count of ‘Acts intended to cause harm or endanger the life health or safety of any person’ but he was released on bail until a court appearance later this month The decision to release him has angered the community who say a tougher stance must be taken with minors terrorising the local area A petition has amassed more than 1000 signatures and locals are considering a protest as they demand a “crackdown” on bullying and violence “We as a community have had enough of this bullying and intimidating behaviour in our suburb and action is needed immediately,” petition author Sharon Moore said “The kids doing this are often repeat offenders as they know even if the police arrest them the court system will let them go.” Moore said it wasn’t just children dealing with the “thugs” shop workers who were also getting spat on “Kids are regularly jumping in front of cars at night and then abusing the drivers if they react damaging their car or threatening them,” she said frightening and unacceptable behaviour should not Crime in Ellenbrook rose by 16 per cent last year and is now at a 10-year-high On Tuesday WA’s deputy premier Rita Saffioti said she Swan Hills member Michelle Maynard and education minister Sabine Winton had been in talks with shopping centre management and police minister Reece Whitby The boys involved in the alleged assault were from Aveley Secondary College.Credit: Facebook “We are creating a working group which has both involvement of the schools and the shopping centre and the local police to oversee what are some issues in relation to basically young kids going to the shopping centre after school,” Saffioti said “We’ve asked for more police presence at the shopping centre after school to try and de-escalate the current issues and tension that’s in there.” She said the group was planning to support principals but said it was sometimes issues that would begin at school that “flowed over into the shopping centre” Michelle Maynard told WAtoday she met with local high school principals and retailers on Monday and agreed to a coordinated approach to identify and address bad behaviour “We believe that with a coordinated approach from all parties our young people will soon be reminded of what is expected of them.” On Wednesday WA Premier Roger Cook labelled the spate of violent incidents at the high school as “distressing and traumatising” It followed a second parent coming forward and alleging her 13-year-old son was horrifically bullied at the school which forced her to remove him due to concerns for his mental health who were calling for schools to better protect their children “Kids should be confident that they can go to school knowing that they’ll be protected knowing that they’ll be supervised to the extent needed so that violence doesn’t occur,” he said “We can’t guarantee that there won’t be outbreaks of anti-social behaviour in a school environment and that’s why we have such strong consequences for students that are enacting out violence.“ Cook said 10 alternative school sites had been arranged for other disruptive students with options available for schools to address ongoing bullies Since the alleged assault at Ellenbrook Central a week ago large groups of school children are no longer permitted to enter the centre at the same time which operates the centre said security teams follow “carefully planned” patrol rotations to ensure comprehensive coverage “Ellenbrook Shopping Centre has a zero tolerance policy on disruptive and aggressive behaviour We continue to work closely with local schools our retail partners and WAPOL to deliver a coordinated response to these issues in order to create a safe and a welcoming environment at our centre.” WA Police said they could not comment on whether more patrols had been sent to cover the area but said that police resources were “scaled up or down to meet operational demand as required” Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter The move comes after a by a fellow student from Aveley Secondary College while at Ellenbrook Central shopping centre after school on April 2 The incident left the boy with a broken jaw that required surgery and suffering from seizures He remains in hospital as doctors investigate Police arrested a 15-year-old boy and charged him with one count of \\u2018Acts intended to cause harm or endanger the life health or safety of any person\\u2019 but he was released on bail until a court appearance later this month A petition has amassed more than 1000 signatures and locals are considering a protest as they demand a \\u201Ccrackdown\\u201D on bullying and violence \\u201CWe as a community have had enough of this bullying and intimidating behaviour in our suburb and action is needed immediately,\\u201D petition author Sharon Moore said \\u201CChildren are being excessively bullied \\u201CThe kids doing this are often repeat offenders as they know even if the police arrest them the court system will let them go.\\u201D Moore said it wasn\\u2019t just children dealing with the \\u201Cthugs\\u201D \\u201CKids are regularly jumping in front of cars at night and then abusing the drivers if they react damaging their car or threatening them,\\u201D she said On Tuesday WA\\u2019s deputy premier Rita Saffioti said she \\u201CWe are creating a working group which has both involvement of the schools and young kids going to the shopping centre after school,\\u201D Saffioti said \\u201CWe\\u2019ve asked for more police presence at the shopping centre after school to try and de-escalate the current issues and tension that\\u2019s in there.\\u201D She said the group was planning to support principals but said it was sometimes issues that would begin at school that \\u201Cflowed over into the shopping centre\\u201D \\u201CWe believe that with a coordinated approach from all parties our young people will soon be reminded of what is expected of them.\\u201D On Wednesday WA Premier Roger Cook labelled the spate of violent incidents at the high school as \\u201Cdistressing and traumatising\\u201D \\u201CKids should be confident that they can go to school knowing that they\\u2019ll be protected knowing that they\\u2019ll be supervised to the extent needed so that violence doesn\\u2019t occur,\\u201D he said \\u201CWe can\\u2019t guarantee that there won\\u2019t be outbreaks of anti-social behaviour in a school environment and that\\u2019s why we have such strong consequences for students that are enacting out violence.\\u201C which operates the centre said security teams follow \\u201Ccarefully planned\\u201D patrol rotations to ensure comprehensive coverage \\u201CEllenbrook Shopping Centre has a zero tolerance policy on disruptive and aggressive behaviour our retail partners and WAPOL to deliver a coordinated response to these issues in order to create a safe and a welcoming environment at our centre.\\u201D WA Police said they could not comment on whether more patrols had been sent to cover the area but said that police resources were \\u201Cscaled up or down to meet operational demand as required\\u201D first promised to residents in Perth’s north-eastern corridor in 2008 will finally open to the public on December 8 – 16 years later The new 21 kilometres of rail will cut the time it takes to commute from Ellenbrook to the CBD from one hour by car to 30 minutes by rail started the project from scratch despite the Liberal government infamously promising the rail line in 2008 and again in 2013 the suburb’s population has more than doubled to 25,000 with the population in the area being among the fastest growing in the state Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the final cost of the line was $1.65 billion with the Federal government listing it on its national priority infrastructure list and contributing $700,000 in 2017 The state government initially budgeted $1.1 billion for the line This line has survived a global pandemic and two Liberal governments in a press conference on Monday announcing the opening date for the line said fares would be capped at around $4 a trip with school students and Sunday commuters travelling for free “It’s been a long time coming for these communities and we want to thank them for their patience,” he said “This line has survived a global pandemic and two Liberal governments … the Liberals took everyone living along this line for chumps treated them like fools and lied and simply walked away from this particular project “Only WA Labor can be trusted with developing our public transport and making sure it’s affordable.” Patronage data estimates 3000 people will board the train at Ballajura station each day which is comparable to boardings on the Yanchep line Saffioti said she wasn’t sure if former WA Premier Colin Barnett would be invited to the opening event as he was for the opening of Optus Stadium back in 2018 “I haven’t gone through the invite list … I don’t know who we’re going to invite,” she said Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert. The long-awaited Ellenbrook train line, first promised to residents in Perth\\u2019s north-eastern corridor in 2008, will finally open to the public on December 8 \\u2013 16 years later. The new 21 kilometres of rail will cut the time it takes to commute from Ellenbrook to the CBD from one hour by car to 30 minutes by rail, with stations in Morley, Noranda, Ballajura, Whiteman Park and Ellenbrook. Premier Roger Cook said his government, elected in 2017, started the project from scratch despite the Liberal government infamously promising the rail line in 2008 and again in 2013. During that time, the suburb\\u2019s population has more than doubled to 25,000 with the population in the area being among the fastest growing in the state, and the most car-dependent. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the final cost of the line was $1.65 billion, with the Federal government listing it on its national priority infrastructure list and contributing $700,000 in 2017. The state government initially budgeted $1.1 billion for the line, and said it would be open in 2022-23, marking a two-year delay. Cook, in a press conference on Monday announcing the opening date for the line, said fares would be capped at around $4 a trip, with school students and Sunday commuters travelling for free. \\u201CIt\\u2019s been a long time coming for these communities, and we want to thank them for their patience,\\u201D he said. \\u201CThis line has survived a global pandemic and two Liberal governments \\u2026 the Liberals took everyone living along this line for chumps, treated them like fools and lied and simply walked away from this particular project. \\u201COnly WA Labor can be trusted with developing our public transport and making sure it\\u2019s affordable.\\u201D Patronage data estimates 3000 people will board the train at Ballajura station each day, which is comparable to boardings on the Yanchep line. Saffioti said she wasn\\u2019t sure if former WA Premier Colin Barnett, whose government first promised the line, would be invited to the opening event as he was for the opening of Optus Stadium back in 2018. \\u201CI haven\\u2019t gone through the invite list \\u2026 I don\\u2019t know who we\\u2019re going to invite,\\u201D she said. Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. . CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) AS paid parking in the Ellenbrook town centre only came into operation on February 24 commuters and shoppers are still getting used to it City of Swan Mayor Tanya Richardson said parking demand had increased in the Ellenbrook town centre with the opening of the new train station and to manage this the City of Swan had proactively introduced time-limited paid and business permit parking to help create fairness and equity for businesses and customers “The city has closely monitored the rollout from consultation to implementation making minor refinements in response to feedback such as adjusting the location of ticket machines for easier access implementing EasyPark and making small concrete adjustments for ticket machine bases,’’ she said “There are eight public ACROD bays available in the town centre parking as well as additional private ACROD bays not administered by the city.” Echo News visited the Ellenbrook town centre on Wednesday morning to get some idea of the changes Apart from some empty 15-minute and electric vehicle bays the new Ellenbrook station parking seemed to be pretty full There were a few motorists getting some tips from more experienced users about operating the new payment/ticket machines On its website the city said there wasn’t the land available to build more parking and if it didn’t introduce better parking management parking would be uncontrolled and used by commuters – making the bays unavailable for business and customer parking “The Public Transit Authority has developed a 500-bay car park as part of the delivery of Ellenbrook train station,’’ the city’s website said “But the city anticipates an overflow of commuters to park in the free on and off-street parking in the town centre “This plan will ensure that the most convenient parking is available for the highest priority users.’’ One shopper agreed with this saying it was great to be able to go to Dome and other shops whereas prior to the introduction of paid parking in the town centre they had found it impossible to find a parking spot while others said better planning for parking should have been undertaken Warning: This story contains graphic content The Perth mother of a child choked and sexually assaulted as she slept in her bedroom has tearfully described how the crime has turned her family’s life upside down was sentenced to almost two decades behind bars in Perth District Court on Tuesday for breaking into an Ellenbrook home in December 2021 and committing depraved violence against a seven-year-old girl as the rest of her family slept who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim faced their daughter’s attacker in court to give an emotional victim impact statement “Our lives are changed forever by the actions of a stranger who in the early hours of one morning managed to inflict a lifetime of pain on our family,” the mother said Her innocence was cruelly taken from her.” The mother said the child was no longer able to sleep without one of her parents being with her “My heart is constantly broken that my child now carries these emotional scars,” she said “I feel an enormous sense of guilt for not protecting her It’s unfathomable that our seven-year-old child endured such trauma in a place where she is supposed to be safe.” Credit: Courtesy of court sketch artist Anne Barnetson was initially looking for a house to burgle when he targeted the family’s home he noticed a child’s name on one of the bedroom doors and entered the room and he tried unsuccessfully to cover her mouth with tape before attempting to choke her unconscious He used extreme force during the offending against the girl Davies claimed he became disgusted in himself and stopped and told her parents of a man in her room who hurt her in the night they took her for a medical exam where a doctor confirmed the girl had been strangled and penetrated with police releasing CCTV of a man jumping the side fence of the family’s home Davies handed himself in shortly afterwards Judge David MacLean found Davies treated the victim as an object for his own sexual gratification He said Davies’ diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and an unspecified psychotic disorder mildly impaired his capacity to make calm and rational choices MacLean found the dominating factor in his offending was his paedophilic interest CCTV showed Callum Davies walking the streets of Ellenbrook the night of the attack “You were prepared to and did use significant violence against a seven-year-old child who was sleeping soundly in her bedroom in her own house.” Davies was convicted of two counts of impeding a person’s breathing or circulation one count of sexually penetrating a child under 13 one count of indecently dealing with a child under 13 and one court of aggravated home burglary A lifetime restraining order was also issued against him to protect his victim The Perth mother of a child choked and sexually assaulted as she slept in her bedroom has tearfully described how the crime has turned her family\\u2019s life upside down faced their daughter\\u2019s attacker in court to give an emotional victim impact statement \\u201COur lives are changed forever by the actions of a stranger who in the early hours of one morning managed to inflict a lifetime of pain on our family,\\u201D the mother said Her innocence was cruelly taken from her.\\u201D \\u201CMy heart is constantly broken that my child now carries these emotional scars,\\u201D she said \\u201CI feel an enormous sense of guilt for not protecting her It\\u2019s unfathomable that our seven-year-old child endured such trauma in a place where she is supposed to be safe.\\u201D was initially looking for a house to burgle when he targeted the family\\u2019s home he noticed a child\\u2019s name on one of the bedroom doors and entered the room with police releasing CCTV of a man jumping the side fence of the family\\u2019s home He said Davies\\u2019 diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and an unspecified psychotic disorder mildly impaired his capacity to make calm and rational choices and you understood it was wrong,\\u201D he said \\u201CYou were prepared to and did use significant violence against a seven-year-old child who was sleeping soundly in her bedroom in her own house.\\u201D Davies was convicted of two counts of impeding a person\\u2019s breathing or circulation The WA Government has set the official opening date for the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook train line – Sunday 8 December The line will be formally known as the Ellenbrook Line and its opening will be celebrated with a community event before regular services begin on December 9 The 21 kilometre line starts at Bayswater Station and will feature five new stations along the way – Morley “I am thrilled for the communities in our north-east who have waited so long for this train line,” said Transport Minister Rita Saffioti “This train line will be a game changer for these communities offering affordable and reliable transport options to get around our city.” Journey times will be approximately 31 minutes from Ellenbrook to Perth The two-zone fare cap means the ride will cost commuters $4.16 (with a SmartRider) with rides free on Sundays and school students riding free during the week The line comes in at a cost of $1.65 billion (jointly funded by Commonwealth and State Governments) and according to the Government has created 6,500 jobs during construction “This METRONET project will transform the north-eastern suburbs providing affordable or free public transport on a world-class rail network for tens of thousands of local families,” said Premier Roger Cook The community event on December 8 will include family-friendly entertainment at each of the new stations Head to metronet.wa.gov.au for more info, image credit: Woods Bagot The hub will serve various community groups and provide a shared space for local engagement and activities Construction of the Ellenbrook Community Hub in Ellenbrook backed by a A$3.5m ($2.26m) commitment from the WA Government The A$7.5m project also received A$2m from the national government and another A$2m through the Lotterywest grant the City of Swan has contributed land and will provide $500,000 for landscaping after construction activities are completed WA Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley said: “The facilities activities and services to be offered at the Ellenbrook Community Hub will deliver so many fantastic benefits to the local community – from a large hall for performances and events to a workshop and activity spaces – it will have something for everyone “Our Cook Labor Government is proud to support this important community project in the heart of Ellenbrook “This project is not just about immediate benefits – it is about building a sustainable positive and inclusive future for the Ellenbrook and Aveley communities.” Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis The hub will serve various community groups Located next to the Ellenbrook Bowls Club on Cashman Avenue and storage rooms both indoors and outdoors City of Swan mayor Tanya Richardson said: “It’s exciting to see construction of the Ellenbrook Community Hub officially kick off marking the start of a new era of community connection in a rapidly growing area of the Swan region “The City of Swan is grateful for the support of the state and federal governments as well as the funding boost from Lotterywest our community is backed by strong investments like this one that fosters inclusion connection and a sense of belonging.” Construction of the project is expected to be completed by November 2025 Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network Image courtesy of the Western Australian Government The METRONET Ellenbrook Line is now officially open marking the biggest expansion of Perth’s rail network in more than 16 years The 21-kilometre line includes five new stations at Morley and will tie in with the new Bayswater Station that opened earlier this year Each station has modern facilities with a total of 3300 parking bays and 335 bicycle storage racks with trains to operate every 12 minutes at peak times and every 15 minutes outside of this The journey from Ellenbrook to the city will take only 30 minutes – less than half the time it currently takes on public transport The construction included a number of major projects and milestones including demolition and reconstruction of Broun Avenue Bridge removal of the iconic Bayswater Bridge and tunnelling under Tonkin Highway Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese said he was proud of the partnership between the Federal and State governments that has supported the delivery of the project “A well planned and accessible public transport system is a game-changer for local communities and the Ellenbrook line will make it easier for thousands of residents to travel to and from the CBD,” he said A contract to construct the new line was awarded in late 2020 and major construction starting in the second half of 2021 The $1.65 billion METRONET Ellenbrook Line is jointly funded by the Federal and Western Australian governments Major construction has kicked off on the Suburban Rail Loop in Victoria ahead of tunnelling commencing at the start of.. An intricate timber net structure has been completed on the northern portal of Victoria’s West Gate Tunnel project Applications for the Western Australian Government’s Zero Emissions Vehicle rebate scheme which has so far paid back over $41 million.. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media RESIDENTS in Perth's north-east are finally connected to affordable with the official opening of the Metronet Ellenbrook line earlier this week Ellenbrook has been one of Perth's fastest growing areas The annual population growth rate has exceeded six per cent work and study for the now 50,000 local residents Delivered by the WA Labor government with funding support from the Federal Albanese Labor government the new line will connect tens of thousands of people in Perth's growing north-eastern suburbs to the rail network for the first time Travel to and from Ellenbrook will be free on Sundays for everyone and free for students travelling to and from school it will cost as little as $4.68 on the state government's two-zone fare cap delivering affordable transport while stimulating local employment The north-east of the city will also see a significant improvement in bus services to support the new line with around 100 new buses being brought into service adding around five million bus service kilometres every year Construction has supported approximately 6,500 jobs 140 graduates and 290 Aboriginal employees The state-of-the-art stations will unlock economic development in the local community including commercial and housing opportunities linked to major infrastructure and services The construction included a number of major projects and milestones including the demolition and reconstruction of Broun Avenue Bridge delivery of a 900-metre-long viaduct through Bayswater three new intersections and roads to access stations a footbridge over Tonkin Highway to access Ballajura Station and 20 public art pieces across the line Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a well planned and accessible public transport system was a game-changer for local communities and the Ellenbrook line will make it easier for thousands of residents to travel to and from the CBD “I'm proud my government could partner with the Cook Labor government to deliver this transformational project.” Premier Roger Cook said WA Labor promised to build the Metronet Ellenbrook Line Metronet will change lives in our north-eastern suburbs providing a fast and affordable link to the city on our world-class rail network “I want to thank the thousands of workers that have built this game-changing infrastructure and I want to thank the community for never giving up even through years of broken Liberal Party promises “This is what Metronet and my WA Labor Government is all about – affordable travel Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said while it's been coming for a while she was very happy to be able to say that Ellenbrook finally has a train “The people in our north-east have waited a long time for this train – having been let down repeatedly by the broken promises of the Liberals and Nationals I am proud to be part of a team that gets on with the job of delivering on its promises” AUSTRALIA — The highly anticipated METRONET Ellenbrook Line is on track for its grand opening on Sunday as the final two stations have been completed This milestone marks the culmination of a major infrastructure project that promises to transform public transport in Perth’s north-eastern suburbs The completion of Morley and Noranda stations follows the earlier finalisation of Ellenbrook Both Morley and Noranda stations boast modern facilities including 400 parking bays and secure bike parking each The stations also feature impressive public art installations with Morley Station showcasing an arrival statement piece comprising a mural and perforated screens while Noranda Station is adorned with skylights The new line will significantly reduce travel times for commuters: The 21-kilometre METRONET Ellenbrook Line begins at the newly constructed Bayswater Station and includes new stations at Morley jointly funded by the federal and state governments It is expected to unlock thousands of new housing options for Western Australians as part of future developments Transport Minister Rita Saffioti commented: “The METRONET Ellenbrook Line is powering towards completion and when it opens later this year it will slash travel times for people across our north-eastern suburbs.” A community celebration is planned for the opening day featuring family-friendly entertainment at each of the five new stations Regular passenger services will commence the following day the new Ellenbrook Station has achieved a 6 Star Green Star – Railway Stations v1.1 certification making it the highest-rated station under this tool This achievement underscores the project’s commitment to sustainability and innovative design As the METRONET Ellenbrook Line nears its launch it stands as a testament to the Western Australian government’s commitment to improving public transport infrastructure and connectivity in the Perth metropolitan area You must be logged in to post a comment Construction industry ready as Queensland hospital 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Concrete surface treatments still improving after decades of innovation Despite the cost blowouts and delays Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has declared the Morley-Ellenbrook line has “absolutely” been worth it WA Premier Roger Cook and Federal Infrastructure Catherine King muscled through crowds of interested locals and train enthusiasts as they opened each of the five new stations one by one on Sunday morning The festivities – which cost about $380,000 to stage – led to a ribbon cutting at Ellenbrook Station at about 10.30am with former premier Mark McGowan also given a pair of scissors Federal Infrastructure Catherine King and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti opened the five new Metronet stations on Sunday morning.Credit: Hamish Hastie who has been the driving force behind the $1.65 billion project said it was a great day and one she would remember for the rest of her life the then Carpenter Labor government promised to build the line for a cost of $850 million (about $1.2 billion in today’s figures) When it was first included in the state budget in 2021 the government had priced it at $1.1 billion but that blew out to $1.65 billion in 2023-24 The government then said it would be open in 2022-23 Ribbon cutting at Ellenbrook Station with WA Premier Roger Cook Transport Minister Rita Saffioti and former premier Mark McGowan.Credit: Connor McGoverne Saffioti said the line was delivered through COVID and a period of serious supply chain disruptions and that she would not be able to show her face in Ellenbrook if she didn’t deliver this line “The price compared to other rail lines – it’s still the cheapest in the nation,” she said “People understand there’s been cost increases There’s just no way in this world we weren’t going to deliver.” The project was jointly funded by the state and Commonwealth governments which meant the Commonwealth had to come to the party to fund each cost increase Albanese said his government recognised the supply chain issues that impacted the project “So we made sure that we contributed additional funding in our budgets while delivering two budget surpluses,” he said Labor’s 2008 promise was matched by the former Liberal leader Colin Barnett who was in opposition at the time Barnett abandoned that promise shortly after the election which sounded the starting gun on one of the state’s longest-running political battles Saffioti and Labor took the line to both the 2013 and 2017 elections She said she was still angry that the former government broke that promise She credited the Ellenbrook line promise as the reason she kept her seat in the Barnett government’s huge 2013 win and recounted how she had sent out about 2500 bits of Ikea toy train track to Ellenbrook residents at the time The Morley-Ellenbrook line opening was marked with a community fair at each station for a total cost of $380,000 Saffioti rejected suggestions the fairs were blatant electioneering as her party prepares for the next election this is a day that people have been waiting for decades,” she said I’m very happy to be joining the community in creating a celebration that their kids can remember for the rest of their lives.” Despite the cost blowouts and delays Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has declared the Morley-Ellenbrook line has \\u201Cabsolutely\\u201D been worth it The festivities \\u2013 which cost about $380,000 to stage \\u2013 led to a ribbon cutting at Ellenbrook Station at about 10.30am with former premier Mark McGowan also given a pair of scissors the then Carpenter Labor government promised to build the line for a cost of $850 million (about $1.2 billion in today\\u2019s figures) Saffioti said the line was delivered through COVID and a period of serious supply chain disruptions and that she would not be able to show her face in Ellenbrook if she didn\\u2019t deliver this line \\u201CThe price compared to other rail lines \\u2013 it\\u2019s still the cheapest in the nation,\\u201D she said \\u201CPeople understand there\\u2019s been cost increases There\\u2019s just no way in this world we weren\\u2019t going to deliver.\\u201D \\u201CSo we made sure that we contributed additional funding in our budgets while delivering two budget surpluses,\\u201D he said Labor\\u2019s 2008 promise was matched by the former Liberal leader Colin Barnett who was in opposition at the time which sounded the starting gun on one of the state\\u2019s longest-running political battles She credited the Ellenbrook line promise as the reason she kept her seat in the Barnett government\\u2019s huge 2013 win and recounted how she had sent out about 2500 bits of Ikea toy train track to Ellenbrook residents at the time this is a day that people have been waiting for decades,\\u201D she said \\u201CThis is something that the community own I\\u2019m very happy to be joining the community in creating a celebration that their kids can remember for the rest of their lives.\\u201D The METRONET Ellenbrook Line is set to give people living and working in the north-eastern suburbs of Perth better transport choice and faster journeys Jointly funded by the Federal and Western Australian Governments the $1.65 billion Morley-Ellenbrook Line is the biggest public transport project delivered in Perth in more than 16 years Starting at Bayswater Station on the Midland Line the new 21km line travels along the centre of Tonkin Highway along the western side of Drumpellier Drive and ends in Ellenbrook Ellenbrook is one of Perth’s fastest growing regions with annual growth figures forecast to be more than 6.5 per cent the corridor between Morley and Ellenbrook has the highest usage of cars compared to other Perth corridors the METRONET Ellenbrook Line is set to create a more interconnected city with better transport The line will majorly reduce vehicle usage in north-eastern Perth by reducing travel times on public transport by up to 50 per cent and slashing travel times to a 30-minute train journey between Ellenbrook and the CBD It will also provide direct links to Midland and Perth Airport as well as better connections to Whiteman Park and the Swan Valley “The 21-kilometre Ellenbrook Line will give people living and working in Perth’s north-eastern suburbs more transport choice and halve the travel time to Perth for those travelling from Ellenbrook,” a METRONET spokesperson said Whiteman Park and Ellenbrook will serve these growing communities the New Bayswater Station will create connections to improve connectivity with the Midland Each station is set to enable the development of the surrounding precincts to provide access to more housing tourism and recreation opportunities over the next 30 years helping shape these growing neighbourhoods into vibrant new communities “Unique features of these station include new public spaces that prioritise pedestrian movement between transport corridors and the creation of vibrant public spaces,” the spokesperson said “Wayfinding was given significant consideration and the new station precincts will give visitors generous pathways shade arbour canopies and interpretive signage “This includes positioning carparks and drop-off points close to the station.” Over 6,500 jobs have been created as part of this project stimulating local employment opportunities Around 150,000 sleepers and 96,000 tonnes of ballast were used in the construction of the line commuters in the north-east will be able ride to the city using a SmartRider for only $4.16 The first train to Ellenbrook hit the tracks in late-August marking the beginning of a four-week program of rigorous testing and commissioning The program was undertaken to ensure all infrastructure and systems are operating efficiently and trains will run safely and smoothly Following testing and commissioning is driver familiarisation before the line enters passenger service from December 2024 One point of focus for the project is working more sustainably to reduce carbon impacts of materials by more than 15 per cent and to improve resource efficiency and support a circular economy by using recycled materials “Each new state-of-the-art station is built with future sustainable growth in mind for the precincts surrounding the new stations and rail corridor,” the spokesperson said A number of initiatives have been implemented to help reach these sustainability targets The project has committed to using 20 per cent Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) in imported topsoil used for landscaping the trial is expected to set a precedent that supports the use of FOGO and grows confidence to embrace this and other new materials while encouraging innovative landscape practices Crushed recycled concrete (CRC) is being trailled for the base asphalt layer in Ballajura and Noranda station car parks CRC is made of concrete debris from construction and demolition projects The use of CRC aims to reduce materials going to landfill and result in reduced carbon emissions The amount of concrete used on site is also being reduced through a hollow core noise wall system that contains 30 per cent less embodied carbon than standard noise wall panels Approximately 770 hollow core panels have been installed on the line so far The new stations as part of the Morley-Ellenbrook line are: Morley Station is located under the Broun Avenue bridge Frequent bus services will connect passengers to the Morley Galleria shopping precinct surrounding businesses and the local community A concept master plan for the Morley Station Precinct is already complete which sets the long-term vision for planning development and infrastructure delivery for the area around the station over the next 30 years The master plan was designed using feedback gained from the City of Bayswater and sets out a vision for an urban village with a vibrant public environment and enhanced connections Noranda Station is located at Benara Road and Tonkin Highway and will deliver a reliable new connection point for local and surrounding communities Future planning for the precinct around Noranda Station will be managed by the City of Bayswater will provide efficient transport links to the surrounding suburbs and support future growth in the area The station is located north-east of the junction of Marshall Road and Tonkin Highway and has been renamed to Ballajura Station due to its geographical location and its connection to the Ballajura community A new footbridge will be built across Tonkin Highway in Ballajura with access via the shared path along the highway close to the Premier Place access point on the western side The footbridge will provide easy access to Ballajura Station and to Whiteman Park and improve connections for commuters Structure planning of the surrounding precinct is underway to guide the long-term planning of future roads public space and land use in the area around the station Whiteman Park Station is located alongside Drumpellier Drive The station will efficient and modern transport services to the communities of Henley Brook including new links to two of Perth’s most popular tourism destinations A concept long-term master plan for the area around the station is already complete The plan is designed to support growth in the area over the next 30 years and sets the high-level road map for the urban development east of Whiteman Park Station as well as recreational and tourism areas to the west Ellenbrook Station is located in the town centre south of The Parkway and west of Civic Terrace The station will offer a new transport option for the 46,000 residents in Ellenbrook and the surrounding areas It has been designed to accommodate the anticipated growth in the region making the most of vacant land around the station Future planning for the precinct around Ellenbrook Station will be managed by a State Government and private sector joint venture The Bennett Springs East Station and precinct is a potential addition to the line that would urbanise the surrounding area with complementary transport Precinct structure planning is currently underway to establish the long-term planning framework that will guide the future development of local roads zoning and locations for community facilities such as schools The Morley-Ellenbrook Line will open with a community celebration on 8 December and commence passenger service on 9 December 2024 The station precincts will create more liveable communities as well as better transport links for tourists and visitors to the Swan Valley and Whiteman Park making this project as a transformational expansion of Perth’s rail network and vital connection for Perth’s north-east The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) has reported on its impact across the country’s north Detailed designs for two major infrastructure upgrades near Broadford have been released giving engineers and contractors a clearer view of.. The NSW Government has greenlit a $139 million plan for infrastructure development around the soon-to-open Western Sydney International Airport SWAN Hills Labor candidate Michelle Maynard says coming from a working-class family and seeing the impacts policies had on her life was where her own interest in politics began Ms Maynard told Echo News she aims to carry on Swan Hills Labor member Jess Shaw’s spirit of advocacy and community presence if given the opportunity “I’m yet to have a meeting where I’m with Jess or we’re meeting with someone about this where I’m not told I have very big shoes to fill or whoever has the role has very big shoes to fill,” she said “What a great bar to set for the community to measure their candidates against – we’ve had this level of representation for the past eight years and it’s wonderful for the Swan Hills community to have such great representation “That obviously comes from her being so approachable being such a part of that community that people feel like they can approach her with their problems because she’s visible and she’s genuine “Jess wasn’t one of those politicians that comes out one day every three and a half years to make sure people realise she’s around – she’s at the swap meets and people know who she is and knows what she stands for and what she’ll do for them and I think that’s incredibly important when you’re a politician “Those are key things that I would like to emulate from what Jess has done and be a good honest hard-working local member that never takes for granted the faith people in the Swan Hills put in you to do the best you can for them.” Ms Maynard is an Ellenbrook business owner and West Swan resident and while she lives in the neighbouring electorate she said her connections to the electorate she’s campaigning in are strong that’s my connection to the community,” she said “I’m the treasurer of the Ellenbrook Dockers the Ellenbrook Community Collective and Swan Chamber of Commerce “So that’s my connection to the community so while I don’t live in there at the moment I am obviously connected – I’m not parachuted in from anywhere.” Ms Maynard said reaching out to the community has been rewarding and she’s heard resident concerns about cost of living the need for a public pool and community centre in Ellenbrook “Cost of living is a massive one,” she said being able to have sports programs and being able to afford the mortgage and budgeting people have been waiting for that for 20 years big things like that and getting the services out there that people want is a goal of mine.” Ms Maynard said she’s looking forward to impacting the community positively by delivering the same services that provided opportunities for her successes “I have always had an interest in politics more so from a perspective of realising from a very early age the people on TV had an impact on my life and so I always took an interest in what was going on because I feel like you have to,” she said “It’s your obligation and it’s your right as a voting citizen to know what’s going on “This is my opportunity to help protect those things for people like me who are just watching on TV like ages ago “While I’ve built an incredibly successful life for myself that core root is something that I hold onto a lot,” she said we are here as a very grounded salt of the earth every day working Australian family “And while people might see a snippet of my life now I’ve won some amazing awards which has been fantastic but that’s who I’ve become but who I am at my core is an everyday salt of the earth working person I think their core job is to provide those basic things for people to make sure they’re incredibly strong so people like me have the chance to be successful.” CONSTRUCTION has begun on the $7.5 million Ellenbrook Community Hub project supported by a $3.5m WA Labor Government election commitment a $2m Lotterywest grant and a further $2m in federal funding The City of Swan has provided the land and $500,000 for landscaping once the building is complete with construction scheduled for completion by November 2025 The hub will be the shared home to an array of community groups Ellenbrook RSL and several multicultural associations to be built next to the Ellenbrook Bowls Club on Cashman Avenue will feature a large hall to cater for functions events and regular group recreation activities a workshop building for the core tenant the Ellenbrook Men's Shed community room and indoor and outdoor storage rooms Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley said the facilities activities and services to be offered at the Ellenbrook Community Hub would deliver so many benefits to the community “From a large hall for performances and events to a workshop and activity spaces – it will have something for everyone,” she said “Our Cook Labor Government is proud to support this important community project in the heart of Ellenbrook “This project is not just about immediate benefits - it is about building a sustainable positive and inclusive future for the Ellenbrook and Aveley communities.” Swan Hills MLA Jessica Shaw said the project would be an important asset for the growing Ellenbrook community in the years to come providing locals a place to come together and foster strong social connections “I am so glad to see this project reach this important milestone and am proud to have supported the efforts of the local community to bring this hub to life,” Ms Shaw said “I look forward to seeing the City of Swan making it available to all community groups on an affordable and accessible basis.” City of Swan Mayor Tanya Richardson said it was exciting to see construction of the Ellenbrook Community Hub officially kick off “This marks the start of a new era of community connection in a rapidly growing area of the Swan region,” Mrs Richardson said “The City of Swan is grateful for the support of the state and federal governments We’re bringing our live blog to a close for today The proportion of family income required to meet loan repayments in Western Australia has increased 2.5 percentage points over the quarter to 42.5 per cent This was an increase of 5.6 percentage points year-on-year, based on a median weekly family income of $2675 and an average monthly loan repayment of $4931, the latest Real Estate Institute of Australia Housing Affordability Report found. “The Perth median house sale price increased 23.3 per cent in the year to December 2024 and the regions have also seen strong growth larger mortgages are needed to purchase property,” REIWA CEO Cath Hart said “The report shows the average loan size in WA rose 7.3 per cent over the quarter and nearly 20 per cent over the year to $598,771 which has seen monthly loan repayments rise “There may be a slight reprieve in the next quarter following the RBA’s rate cut in February For every 0.25 per cent cut in interest rates the proportion of family income required to service the average loan usually drops by around 1 percentage point This will of course be moderated by any property price growth over the quarter.” New West Coast coach Andrew McQualter insists his team’s horror loss to Gold Coast wasn’t down to a lack of trying and he’s backing Harley Reid and his midfield brigade to rebound against Brisbane The Eagles were uncompetitive from start to finish in their 87-point loss to the Suns with Gold Coast dominating the contested possession count (145-102) inside-50s (67-34) and clearances (50-33) on the way to the biggest win in the club’s AFL history West Coast’s midfield was particularly poor Matt Flynn (13 hitouts) copped a pasting in the ruck against Jarrod Witts (68 hitouts) The task will be even more difficult for West Coast on Sunday when they confront defending premiers Brisbane at the Gabba McQualter said his team’s contest work simply wasn’t good enough against Gold Coast and he is confident of a big turnaround this week we’re confident we can fix straight away,” McQualter said “Whether that means we win the game or the contest “We’ve got a midfield group that was beaten last week and there are some proud guys in that group so I’m excited to see what they’re going to put out this week.” Reid has copped the heaviest criticism in the wake of last week’s loss with his engagement in off-the-ball scraps and playing for free kicks raising questions about his focus I don’t read any of it (the criticism),” McQualter said “There’s so many opinions that are going around at the moment that it’s important we understand what we value part of a midfield that didn’t have a great game Libby Mettam has described the challenge to her leadership of the WA Liberal Party late last year as “brutal” WA Liberal Party Leader Libby Mettam announces she is stepping down from the role.Credit: Hamish Hastie But she said the party was much closer to being competitive at the next election in 2029 following this election result we cannot waste a minute in ensuring that we are in the best possible position for 2029 and that is about ensuring that we’re not focused on ourselves and that we’re focused on the people of Western Australia,” she said It had become clear that she no longer had her party’s support to remain leader several days ago “I wasn’t willing to be a seat warmer leader to be in a position only to be … quickly moved on.” I’ve always stated I will only continue as leader for as long as my parliamentary colleagues support me as leader and I’m not willing to lead a team that doesn’t support me in that position So the conclusion that I have come to is very clear I have thought in the best interest of the party in the best interest of the state that I could have done I respect the fact that my parliamentary colleagues are wanting to take on a new direction following such a significant loss at the state election I understand there will be a review following the election as well my job as a member of parliament is a privilege The role as the leader of the parliamentary Liberal Party is a privilege as well Fremantle have taken full ownership of their round-one flop with coach Justin Longmuir declaring he retains full faith in his players and the game plan ahead of Sunday’s crunch clash with Sydney at Optus Stadium The Dockers’ season of hope started off in disastrous fashion when a poor first half and a diabolical final quarter resulted in a 78-point loss to Geelong at the Cattery Longmuir has been happy with the response from his players this week and is confident they’ll put in a much better display against the Swans The Dockers’ season of hope got off to a shaky start last week.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images “We were all disappointed with the showing we put in,” Longmuir told reporters on Thursday and learn from it so it doesn’t happen again “The team we put out on the weekend will perform a lot better.” Longmuir will resist making mass changes to the group but he’s hopeful of being able to select star recruit Shai Bolton who missed the loss to Geelong due to a stress response in his leg needs to train strongly on Thursday and pull up well to be named in the final team “It would be nice to get his [Dockers] career under way,” Longmuir said “We’ll probably have to manipulate his role a little bit to what we were doing in pre-season and what we had planned “But we think he’d be right for four quarters.” Longmuir said it wasn’t the right time to make major changes to either the group or the game plan “We just spoke about you don’t throw the game plan or the pre-season out the window and players’ form out the window after one game,” he said who endured an injury-interrupted pre-season will feature in a WAFL practice match for a second straight week Sam Switkowski will miss two to three weeks with a groin injury who started their season with fighting losses to Hawthorn and Brisbane were dealt a further blow this week when Lewis Melican (adductor) was ruled out for the next two to three weeks Robbie Fox (calf) and Logan McDonald (ankle) on Sydney’s lengthy injury list and Libby Mettam has revealed she will not seek reappointment to lead the WA Liberals In a statement released Thursday afternoon Mettam said she would have liked to continue as leader Liberal leader Libby Mettam delivering her concession speech on election night.Credit: Colin Murty “While I would have liked and hoped to continue as leader it has become clear that I do not have that support of my colleagues to continue as leader through to the election in 2029,” she said “I respect the honesty and considered advice of my colleagues as I have contemplated this decision.” Police have released more details about that pursuit which ended on Scarborough Beach not long ago A police spokesman said officers tried to pull over the white Toyota Prado in East Perth about 11am the chase came to an end on the sand and a man has been taken into custody Witnesses told 9News Perth reporter Sarah Smith the man allegedly started to swim out in the water before being tackled by police Other witnesses said they had to rush out of the way as the car drove down the beach’s iconic amphitheatre to get to the sand There has been no reprieve for politics-weary West Australians after the state poll with a cavalcade of federal MPs heading west in anticipation of the federal election Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was in town to announce a promise to fast-track approval of the North West Shelf decision while today federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen stood in front of the Kwinana big battery alongside WA Premier Roger Cook for three major announcements Roger Cook and Madeleine King announced four big batteries for WA that can together power 600,000 households The first was the announcement of four successful tenders for big batteries in Boddington Muchea and Waroona that will collectively have the stored electricity to power 600,000 homes on the south-west energy grid for four hours from October 2027 The batteries were successful bidders under the Commonwealth’s Capacity Investment Scheme which underwrites the bidders’ revenue from the projects once operational Bowen also announced $814 million was awarded to Danish investment from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners to build a 1500-megawatt green hydrogen project in the Murchison The project is the first to get money from the $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart fund established in 2023 It will produce 900,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually there are 100,000 tons a year of green hydrogen being produced,” Bowen said where it appears a police pursuit has come to an end on the sandy shores of one of Perth’s most famous beaches 9News Perth’s Sarah Smith has been tracking the pursuit which wound through the city’s north on Thursday morning Photos from the scene show a white Toyota Prado on the sand at the water’s edge with apparent damage to one of its rear wheels asking her followers for information after “I nearly got ran over by a cop car because there were about 8 coming from all directions running onto the beach” WA Police have arrested a man at Scarborough beach in front of hundreds of onlookers after a pursuit through Perth’s streets ended on the sand.Credit: TikTok/Yogagirlaus but a WA Police spokesman said a person was assisting officers with their inquiries We’ll bring you more on this story as it comes in We\\u2019re bringing our live blog to a close for today Here\\u2019s a recap of the top WA stories: We\\u2019ll be back tomorrow \\u2013 see you then This was an increase of 5.6 percentage points year-on-year based on a median weekly family income of $2675 and an average monthly loan repayment of $4931 the latest Real Estate Institute of Australia \\u201CThe Perth median house sale price increased 23.3 per cent in the year to December 2024 and the regions have also seen strong growth larger mortgages are needed to purchase property,\\u201D REIWA CEO Cath Hart said \\u201CThe report shows the average loan size in WA rose 7.3 per cent over the quarter and nearly 20 per cent over the year to $598,771 \\u201CThere may be a slight reprieve in the next quarter following the RBA\\u2019s rate cut in February This will of course be moderated by any property price growth over the quarter.\\u201D New West Coast coach Andrew McQualter insists his team\\u2019s horror loss to Gold Coast wasn\\u2019t down to a lack of trying and he\\u2019s backing Harley Reid and his midfield brigade to rebound against Brisbane inside-50s (67-34) and clearances (50-33) on the way to the biggest win in the club\\u2019s AFL history West Coast\\u2019s midfield was particularly poor McQualter said his team\\u2019s contest work simply wasn\\u2019t good enough against Gold Coast we\\u2019re confident we can fix straight away,\\u201D McQualter said \\u201CWhether that means we win the game or the contest \\u201CWe\\u2019ve got a midfield group that was beaten last week so I\\u2019m excited to see what they\\u2019re going to put out this week.\\u201D Reid has copped the heaviest criticism in the wake of last week\\u2019s loss I don\\u2019t read any of it (the criticism),\\u201D McQualter said \\u201CThere\\u2019s so many opinions that are going around at the moment that it\\u2019s important we understand what we value part of a midfield that didn\\u2019t have a great game Libby Mettam has described the challenge to her leadership of the WA Liberal Party late last year as \\u201Cbrutal\\u201D and that is about ensuring that we\\u2019re not focused on ourselves and that we\\u2019re focused on the people of Western Australia,\\u201D she said It had become clear that she no longer had her party\\u2019s support to remain leader several days ago \\u201CI wasn\\u2019t willing to be a seat warmer leader to be in a position only to be \\u2026 quickly moved on.\\u201D I\\u2019ve always stated I will only continue as leader for as long as my parliamentary colleagues support me as leader and I\\u2019m not willing to lead a team that doesn\\u2019t support me in that position with coach Justin Longmuir declaring he retains full faith in his players and the game plan ahead of Sunday\\u2019s crunch clash with Sydney at Optus Stadium The Dockers\\u2019 season of hope started off in disastrous fashion when a poor first half and a diabolical final quarter resulted in a 78-point loss to Geelong at the Cattery and is confident they\\u2019ll put in a much better display against the Swans \\u201CWe were all disappointed with the showing we put in,\\u201D Longmuir told reporters on Thursday and learn from it so it doesn\\u2019t happen again \\u201CThe team we put out on the weekend will perform a lot better.\\u201D but he\\u2019s hopeful of being able to select star recruit Shai Bolton \\u201CIt would be nice to get his [Dockers] career under way,\\u201D Longmuir said \\u201CWe\\u2019ll probably have to manipulate his role a little bit to what we were doing in pre-season and what we had planned \\u201CBut we think he\\u2019d be right for four quarters.\\u201D Longmuir said it wasn\\u2019t the right time to make major changes to either the group or the game plan \\u201CWe just spoke about you don\\u2019t throw the game plan or the pre-season out the window and players\\u2019 form out the window after one game,\\u201D he said Robbie Fox (calf) and Logan McDonald (ankle) on Sydney\\u2019s lengthy injury list \\u201CWhile I would have liked and hoped to continue as leader it has become clear that I do not have that support of my colleagues to continue as leader through to the election in 2029,\\u201D she said \\u201CI respect the honesty and considered advice of my colleagues as I have contemplated this decision.\\u201D We\\u2019ll bring you more on this shortly Other witnesses said they had to rush out of the way as the car drove down the beach\\u2019s iconic amphitheatre to get to the sand The batteries were successful bidders under the Commonwealth\\u2019s Capacity Investment Scheme which underwrites the bidders\\u2019 revenue from the projects once operational there are 100,000 tons a year of green hydrogen being produced,\\u201D Bowen said where it appears a police pursuit has come to an end on the sandy shores of one of Perth\\u2019s most famous beaches 9News Perth\\u2019s Sarah Smith has been tracking the pursuit which wound through the city\\u2019s north on Thursday morning Photos from the scene show a white Toyota Prado on the sand at the water\\u2019s edge asking her followers for information after \\u201CI nearly got ran over by a cop car because there were about 8 coming from all directions running onto the beach\\u201D We\\u2019ll bring you more on this story as it comes in Three new stations are all that is left to be completed on the new $1.65 billion METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line jointly funded by the Federal and Western Australian Governments Malaga station, which will be formally named Ballajura Station to better reflect the location and the residential community, is the second station to be finished in the works. The station will be a 21-minute journey to Perth city connecting to the suburbs of Ballajura, Landsdale, Alexander Heights, Malaga, and Bennett Springs. Roger Cook, Western Australian Premier said this has been the biggest milestone ton the project to date. “It brings high-quality, affordable public transport one step closer for the tens of thousands of people in our north-eastern suburbs,” he said. “From Ballajura to Byford, from Ellenbrook to Eglinton, METRONET is transforming our suburbs, creating jobs, slashing congestion, and setting up our city for the future.” It includes a 12-stand bus interchange and 1,100 parking bays, which will unlock thousands of new housing options for residents as part of future developments. Work is also complete on the new footbridge which will provide access for pedestrians and cyclists from the station to residential areas west of Tonkin Highway. As part of the project for Perth’s north-eastern suburbs, 21 kilometres of new rail track has now been laid, ready for the next lot of works next month. The line will start at the new Bayswater Station which opened in April, connecting to new stations at Morley, Noranda, Malaga, Whiteman Park, and Ellenbrook which was completed earlier this year. An education campaign will be delivered in coming months as electrification of the line begins, to encourage public safety around high-speed rail and live rail. Western Australia Transport Minister Rita Saffioti  said the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line is powering towards completion, and when it opens later this year it will slash travel times for people across the north-eastern suburbs. “Communities in our growing north-east corridor have been crying out for better public transport options, and I am incredibly proud that our Government is making that a reality,” she said. “Our Government made a commitment to deliver this rail line and, by the end of this year, passengers will be able to jump on board the first trains.” As Melbourne braces for a population of 9 million by 2050, the demand for smarter, greener, and more connected urban... Alstom, global leader in smart sustainable mobility solutions, has delivered on-time and to budget its Traffic Management System, providing the... For the July issue of Rail Express, we’re homing in on two major topics: Tunnels and Cybersecurity.   From Sydney... © 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited © 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited THE introduction of new high-frequency routes is among several noteworthy changes coming to Perth’s bus network once Metronet’s Ellenbrook line starts services on December 9. After considering feedback received during community consultation earlier this year, modifications have been made to the Transperth bus network to better connect the local community to the new Metronet stations at Morley, Noranda, Ballajura, Whiteman Park and Ellenbrook. The new services will be supported by the addition of 88 new buses to the network, adding a combined five million bus service kilometres every year. The already popular high-frequency 950 and 970 routes will be extended to Morley Station and Landsdale respectively, while a new high-frequency 975 service will link Warwick, Mirrabooka and Morley bus stations (to be renamed Galleria Bus Station) and Bayswater. Passengers will also benefit from the newly created 386X, 950X and 970X routes, which will provide a limited-stop option during morning and afternoon peak periods, helping commuters get to their destination faster. These services will replace routes 385, 66 and 370 respectively. • New east-west connections between the Yanchep and Ellenbrook lines via upgrades to routes 449 and 450, and new routes 451 and 452; • Improved connections between the Midland and Ellenbrook lines via an extension to route 310 and new routes 358 and 359; • Improved coverage in suburbs such as Aveley, Henley Brook, Caversham and Upper Swan; and • Improved capacity for many schools across the region. These network modifications will provide local residents with more travel options, higher-frequency services, a longer spread of operating hours, more services running seven days a week and improved access to community hubs and popular destinations. The new bus network will come into effect when the Ellenbrook line begins services on Monday, December 9. Bus timetables are being finalised and will be released closer to the opening date. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the opening of the Metronet Ellenbrook line in December will represent more than just a new train line, representing significant improvements to the bus networks servicing the north-east of our city. “To support the new Ellenbrook rail line, we’re adding 88 new buses and five million bus service kilometres to the network meaning increased frequency, more coverage, better operating hours and enhanced service reliability. “We’ll be seeing more high-frequency services and the addition of limited-stop services during morning and afternoon peak hours, which will help commuters get to and from home faster. “While these new bus services will significantly enhance the way people can get around our suburbs, there will be some change, so we encourage the community to take the time to acquaint themselves with the updated routes before services begin on December 9.” Visit the Transperth website for more information on the changes. We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Despite the cost blowouts and delays Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has declared the Morley-Ellenbrook line has “absolutely” been worth it. Saffioti, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, WA Premier Roger Cook and Federal Infrastructure Catherine King muscled through crowds of interested locals and train enthusiasts as they opened each of the five new stations one by one on Sunday morning. The festivities – which cost about $380,000 to stage – led to a ribbon cutting at Ellenbrook Station at about 10.30am with former premier Mark McGowan also given a pair of scissors. WA Premier Roger Cook, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Federal Infrastructure Catherine King and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti opened the five new Metronet stations on Sunday morning.Credit: Hamish Hastie Saffioti, who has been the driving force behind the $1.65 billion project, said it was a great day and one she would remember for the rest of her life. In 2008, the then Carpenter Labor government promised to build the line for a cost of $850 million (about $1.2 billion in today’s figures). When it was first included in the state budget in 2021 the government had priced it at $1.1 billion but that blew out to $1.65 billion in 2023-24. The government then said it would be open in 2022-23, marking a two-year delay. Ribbon cutting at Ellenbrook Station with WA Premier Roger Cook, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti and former premier Mark McGowan.Credit: Connor McGoverne Saffioti said the line was delivered through COVID and a period of serious supply chain disruptions and that she would not be able to show her face in Ellenbrook if she didn’t deliver this line. “The price compared to other rail lines – it’s still the cheapest in the nation,” she said. “People understand there’s been cost increases. Whether you put an oven into your house, put a patio up, you buy a car, or you bought a house, there’s been cost increases. “But what was the alternative? Not to deliver it? There’s just no way in this world we weren’t going to deliver.” The project was jointly funded by the state and Commonwealth governments which meant the Commonwealth had to come to the party to fund each cost increase. Albanese said his government recognised the supply chain issues that impacted the project. “So we made sure that we contributed additional funding in our budgets while delivering two budget surpluses,” he said. Labor’s 2008 promise was matched by the former Liberal leader Colin Barnett who was in opposition at the time. Barnett abandoned that promise shortly after the election, which sounded the starting gun on one of the state’s longest-running political battles. Saffioti and Labor took the line to both the 2013 and 2017 elections. She said she was still angry that the former government broke that promise. She credited the Ellenbrook line promise as the reason she kept her seat in the Barnett government’s huge 2013 win and recounted how she had sent out about 2500 bits of Ikea toy train track to Ellenbrook residents at the time. The Morley-Ellenbrook line opening was marked with a community fair at each station for a total cost of $380,000. Saffioti rejected suggestions the fairs were blatant electioneering as her party prepares for the next election. “To be honest, this is a day that people have been waiting for decades,” she said. “This is something that the community own, and the community want to be a part of. I’m very happy to be joining the community in creating a celebration that their kids can remember for the rest of their lives.” Despite the cost blowouts and delays Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has declared the Morley-Ellenbrook line has \\u201Cabsolutely\\u201D been worth it. The festivities \\u2013 which cost about $380,000 to stage \\u2013 led to a ribbon cutting at Ellenbrook Station at about 10.30am with former premier Mark McGowan also given a pair of scissors. In 2008, the then Carpenter Labor government promised to build the line for a cost of $850 million (about $1.2 billion in today\\u2019s figures). Saffioti said the line was delivered through COVID and a period of serious supply chain disruptions and that she would not be able to show her face in Ellenbrook if she didn\\u2019t deliver this line. \\u201CThe price compared to other rail lines \\u2013 it\\u2019s still the cheapest in the nation,\\u201D she said. \\u201CPeople understand there\\u2019s been cost increases. Whether you put an oven into your house, put a patio up, you buy a car, or you bought a house, there\\u2019s been cost increases. \\u201CBut what was the alternative? Not to deliver it? There\\u2019s just no way in this world we weren\\u2019t going to deliver.\\u201D \\u201CSo we made sure that we contributed additional funding in our budgets while delivering two budget surpluses,\\u201D he said. Labor\\u2019s 2008 promise was matched by the former Liberal leader Colin Barnett who was in opposition at the time. Barnett abandoned that promise shortly after the election, which sounded the starting gun on one of the state\\u2019s longest-running political battles. She credited the Ellenbrook line promise as the reason she kept her seat in the Barnett government\\u2019s huge 2013 win and recounted how she had sent out about 2500 bits of Ikea toy train track to Ellenbrook residents at the time. \\u201CTo be honest, this is a day that people have been waiting for decades,\\u201D she said. \\u201CThis is something that the community own, and the community want to be a part of. I\\u2019m very happy to be joining the community in creating a celebration that their kids can remember for the rest of their lives.\\u201D