METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line project, delivered by the MELconnx Alliance, a partnership between the Public Transport Authority (PTA) of Western Australia and Laing O’Rourke.
Overview:
MELconnx delivered this city-shaping 21-km METRONET Morley–Ellenbrook Line by embedding sustainability at the heart of every decision. From the outset, the alliance was set up with a deliberate focus on collaboration and sustainability, a focus shared by the client and design teams and championed by engineers and construction managers throughout delivery. Governance processes and policies ensured sustainability was systematically prioritised across delivery.
Sustainability was embedded at the executive level, with the Sustainability Manager positioned within the Alliance Management Team, influencing key decisions and ensuring sustainability remained central to leadership priorities. A performance‑based incentive framework was codesigned with the client, ensuring sustainability initiatives progressed even under schedule and cost pressure.
MELconnx delivered state- and nation-first innovations, including large‑scale FOGO soil application, hybrid solar-battery site power, dam evaporation covers, and the first program-level integration of EV charging at stations. Digital engineering and Modern Methods of Construction enabled these innovations through early model-based testing, standardising components, and informing decisions that reduced material, energy use, and waste.
The project achieved the first IS v2.0/2.1 Platinum As-Built Certification for the rail works and highest-scored 6 Star Green Star As-Built ratings for two stations. These independently verified outcomes reflect the alliance’s genuine leadership in sustainability.
Outcomes achieved:
Environmental and resource outcomes
Energy: 33% reduction in lifecycle energy use (~44 GWh saved), exceeding the 10% target—equivalent to ~115,000 tCO₂e avoided or ~25,000 cars off the road for one year.
Materials: 17% reduction in lifecycle materials impacts (~38,000 tCO₂e), through low‑carbon concrete (54% cement substitution using 25,800t of slag), and dematerialisation.
Water: 32% reduction in water use, against a 15% target, including construction dam covers - saving 20 million litres, a modular construction approach, and highly water-efficient irrigation and landscaping.
Biodiversity and place: Protection of 61 hectares of native vegetation, with Whiteman Park Station redesigned to retain Banksia Woodland, preserving green space and respecting the park’s heritage.
Supporting the local circular economy: Initiatives such as large-scale use of food organics and garden organics (FOGO), use of large quantities of recycled materials .
Social, Cultural & Economic Outcomes
Indigenous participation and business: $67.4 million of work awarded to 53 indigenous‑owned businesses, exceeding the $25 million target. Indigenous workforce participation reached 5.5% across a 5,500‑person workforce. Eleven indigenous traineeships were completed.
Cultural design and inclusion: Noongar Elders guided culturally embedded design, including public art and six seasons landscaping. Noongar place name signage, with phonetics and narrative panels, were installed across all stations as part of METRONET’s Gnarla Biddi Strategy.
Public art and community partnerships: $2.478 million spent on funding 20 pieces of public art, including five by local Indigenous artists.
Partnerships with the City of Swan and local volunteer groups supported restoration of natural areas, wildlife initiatives and mental health awareness. Contributed materials and expertise to build a heritage tram line at Whiteman Park to improve access for tourism.
STEM pathways and gender diversity: More than 30 female students from Ellenbrook Christian College were mentored for two years through Laing O’Rourke’s Inspiring STEM+ Program.
Innovation and industry transformation
Australia‑first Turkey Nest Daisy Dam Covers reduced construction water by ~20 million litres.
WA’s first 50 kVA BESS-hybrid solar generator saved 45,000 litres of diesel.
WA’s first ballast box spreader reduced ballast wastage by 20%, saved water for dust supression and reduced installation time by 50%.
Large‑scale trials of FOGO topsoil informed practice across multiple METRONET and Main Roads projects.
50 EV chargers were integrated across all stations, with MELconnx’s trailblazing work now codified into PTA specifications.
Recognition and knowledge-sharing
Knowledge was shared extensively, through presentations, publications, site visits and forums, including Engineers Australia Thought Leaders webinars, PTA sustainability forums, IS Conferences andGreen Building Days. Innovations were adopted by other projects and project case studies appeared in specialist publications, including the Australasian Railway Association’s Sustainability Guide.
Industry recognition includes 2025 Master Builders WA Building Excellence Awards Civil or Infrastructure over 25 million dollars, 2025 Australasian Railway Association Infrastructure Project Excellence Award, 2025 Civil Contractors Federation WA Sustainability Achievement Award, and 2025 Australian Construction Achievement Awards Finalist, with further commendations in 2024 and 2025.
Certifications: the project received the first-ever IS v2.0/2.1 Platinum As‑Built Certification. Two stations achieved 6 Star Green Star As-Built ratings, the highest scores ever awarded to Australian railway stations, to date.
Beneficiaries from this project
MEL’s commitment to people-centred design is evident in every detail, from cultural integration to climate-resilient infrastructure. The meticulous inclusion of cultural and thematic heritage into public artwork strengthens community identity, ensuring spaces feel welcoming and deeply connected to Country.
More than 70% of station precinct and bus interchange areas are shaded, providing year-round protection from the elements and creating comfortable, accessible environments for all users.
Significant landscape planting, including the early establishment of large trees, particularly in car parks, reduces the urban heat island effect and enhances the ecological health of public spaces. These efforts are supported by strong environmental stewardship, with proactive measures to retain mature trees and protect native vegetation wherever possible. High-quality materials and architectural finishes elevate the stations into beautifully designed public assets, while permeability and connectivity assessments ensure suburbs remain well-linked to active transport routes, encouraging healthier, low-carbon travel behaviours.
Local communities benefit from enhanced transport connectivity, safer precincts, improved landscaping and tree canopies, and active transport links. Community engagement directly shaped station design, achieving a 100% satisfaction rate with local amenity improvements.
Aboriginal communities also benefited through $67.4 million invested with 53 Indigenous businesses, 5.5% Indigenous participation, 11 traineeships, and dual-language signage and public art celebrating Noongar identity.
Workers and industry partners gained from safer, more efficient construction innovations, now adopted across client projects.
The environment benefits long-term through carbon reduction, biodiversity protection, improved habitat connectivity, and reduced reliance on finite resources.
Asset-owner gains ongoing operational savings through renewable energy and highly-efficient systems.
Leaving a legacy
The METRONET Morley–Ellenbrook Line project (MEL) has delivered an enduring sustainability legacy, elevating performance from IS V2.0/2.1 Gold Design to Platinum As Built Certification.
4.4: Increase the number of people with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship, 10.2: Empower and promote social, economic and political inclusion for all, 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision making
MEL mentored young women through the STEM+ program and delivered 11 Indigenous traineeships, building long-term employability. Noongar language, stories and cultural interpretation embedded throughout station environments, enhanced community cultural education and intergenerational learning. This visible cultural representation strengthens identity, promotes inclusion, and reduces inequity in public infrastructure, setting a benchmark for culturally responsive infrastructure.
7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
MEL delivered a 500kW solar PV system across all stations (generating ~780,000kWh/year) and WA’s first 50 kVA hybrid solar battery generator, reducing diesel consumption, emissions, and local air/noise pollution.
8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive employment and entrepreneurship
MEL invested $67.4 million in 53 Aboriginal owned businesses, enabling scalable commercial growth. Indigenous participation reached 5.5%, alongside 11 successful traineeships, generating long-term economic and social mobility.
9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
Industry-leading initiatives to support the circular economy, including largescale FOGO application, crushed recycled concrete, 54% cement substitution. Innovative trailblazing included pioneering construction dam covers saving ~20ML water and the first rollout of EV charging infrastructure across WA train-stations. Each initiative raises the sustainability baseline for future works.
12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
MEL achieved 99% construction waste diversion, 79% overall waste diversion, and pioneered large-scale use of FOGO, recycled aggregates, and low carbon concrete. Updated PTA specifications—shaped through MEL innovation—will influence Western Australian infrastructure for years to come.
13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policies, strategies and planning
Climate resilience was integrated across design and operation, resulting in a 27.8% carbon reduction across materials and energy. All ‘high’ and ‘very high’ climate change risks were mitigated through design and operational controls to future-proof and safeguard operational resilience.