Long Park: 7km linear park to be built underneath elevated Armadale train line between Carlisle and Beckenham

A 7km stretch of land underneath part of the newly elevated Armadale train line will be turned into a vibrant linear park that the State Government hopes will also create more housing opportunities. Stretching from the new Carlisle and Beckenham train stations, Long Park will feature playgrounds, nature trials, two “youth plazas” which includes a basketball, futsal and netball court, as well as skate parks, dog parks and an extensive pathway for cyclists and pedestrians. Costing about $10 million, the 6ha of public open space will also feature areas for pop-up cafes and community events and Perth’s longest public art trail. More than 20 different pieces are expected to be installed along the rail corridor with each pier also expected to be painted with unique designs. Unveiling the project on Sunday, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said activating the dormant spaces was helping to drive new investment in high density housing projects along the corridor with a decision on one proposal expected before the end of the year. Plans, she said, had been submitted to the State Development Assessment Unit for an 85-apartment, 18-storey development adjacent to the new Oats Street Station. “We’ve seen through Bayswater under the Tonkin Highway bridge, when you activate the land underneath the bridge, you’re bringing people together,” Ms Saffioti said. “Now this is also, of course, part of our housing story. So when we deliver infrastructure like Metronet, it’s about creating spaces for new housing, and we’ve already seen some activity across the corridor for new housing developments. “In Beckenham there’s a lot of interest in relation to creating a new housing precinct adjacent to the Beckenham station along the corridor. We’ve got some development applications in for new housing, and there’s a lot of activity, a lot of proposals being worked on. “So, with new housing, you need public open space. This public open space will service the existing housing, and of course, the new housing that will come into play.” Work has already begun on the public amenities with the project expected to be completed in time for the reopening of the rail line in the middle of next year.