Planning for key freight rail upgrades needed to support Western Australia’s future container port at Kwinana is entering its next phase.
A consortium comprising Arup Australia Projects Pty Ltd and WSP Australia Pty Ltd has been appointed to form a Rail Integrated Project Team with Main Roads WA and the Public Transport Authority, to progress key freight rail upgrades that will support the future container terminal in Kwinana.
This appointment completes Westport’s core definition capability across port, road and rail, bringing together the expertise needed to plan and deliver an integrated supply chain for the State’s long-term freight and container trade needs.
Supporting future trade and a safer freight network
As freight demand grows, upgrades to key sections of the existing freight rail network will be required to support future container volumes and improve network capacity, resilience and operational flexibility. Freight rail already plays an important role in Western Australia’s supply chain. In 2025-26, a record 26.4 per cent of container freight moving through Fremantle travelled by rail, the highest rail mode share achieved by any major city port in Australia.
Building on this trajectory, the planned upgrades will strengthen rail connections to the future Westport container terminal, increase network capacity and enable a greater share of containers to move by rail, helping reduce pressure on the road network as trade continues to grow.
Key freight rail upgrades
The Rail Integrated Project Team will undertake detailed planning and project definition activities for a range of future freight rail upgrades, including:
• A new freight rail connection to link the future Westport container terminal to the existing rail network east of Rockingham Road.
• Duplication of an approximately eight-kilometre section of track on the freight rail line between Kwinana and Cockburn near Beeliar Drive, including removing the existing rail level crossings.
• Duplication of a short section of single track in Kewdale.
• A North Lake Road Grade Separation replacing the existing North Lake Road rail level crossing in South Lake with a new bridge.
What happens next
The next phase of work will include development of reference designs, geotechnical and environmental investigations, stakeholder engagement activities and progression of regulatory approvals. This work will help inform future business cases and government investment decisions before construction can commence.
The Australian and Western Australian Governments have committed $67 million to progress planning and development activities for road upgrades, freight rail duplication and level crossing removals that will support the Westport Program.
Community consultation is expected to commence in late 2026 as planning progresses.
