Armadale Line Upgrade, Perth WA

The Challenge

METRONET is a $12.4-billion public transportation project by the Western Australian Government adding 23 new stations and 74km of rail network to Perth suburbs, making it the largest single investment in public transportation in the state's recent history.

As part of the project, the Byfield Rail Extension upgraded several stations and rail crossings to elevated platforms, opening one 8km continuous pathway between stations and 6 hectares of recreational space. To make the most of this new space, Long Park was established, featuring a public art trail and 14 multi-use parks, each identified by a distinct, vibrant colour palette and serving a completely different purpose, including:

• Skate parks
• Dog parks
• Playgrounds
• Fitness stations
• Bike and walking paths
• Event spaces
• Nature trails

Fitting out these spaces required a complete park solution that could meet an equally diverse set of challenges.  Every practical need had to be met across spaces serving vastly different uses, including seating configured for both active and passive use. The brief also extended to technology, including device recharge stations capable of withstanding daily public use and exposure to harsh outdoor conditions.

All of these elements needed a reliable and coordinated delivery to support a project of such enormous scale and complexity. 

The Solution

Working closely with Hassell and the Armadale Line Upgrade Alliance (ALUA), we helped guide product selection from across our complete park solution range, ensuring every choice could fulfil its purpose whilst coming together as one cohesive design.

Our Moda range was chosen for seating. Sleek and slimline, Moda provided bench seating, park seats, and table settings. Its real strength however is adaptability - from different mounting placements, including plinth and surface mount, to varied size configurations and extended tabletops for wheelchair access. These park products don't just meet DDA compliance; they create genuinely inclusive public spaces. 

To further activate the spaces, stackable modular platforms from our Orbella range were introduced. Orbella's curved design and herringbone pattern bring a high-end aesthetic to public space, while the varied platform heights create flexible communal gathering points. 

For colour options, a sleek powder-coated dark frame was paired with a Timberimage finish for the body. Timberimage is our wood-look aluminium. Praised for its ability to replicate the grain look of wood achieved through a five-stage advanced sublimation process, it allows the warmth of natural wood to be included in spaces that demand durability and longevity of aluminium. 

Timberimage is available in a curated range of timber tones, with the option to develop custom finishes. 

To further activate the spaces, our Akuna drinking fountains, Metro bin enclosures, and Citistyle bike racks have been placed throughout the recreation areas and along the pathways. Like all GX Outdoors products, these are made from Australian-sourced aluminium, carry a 20-year structural warranty, and are built by our family-run business in Bundaberg, Queensland. Every product is purposefully designed to withstand even the harshest public environments and heavy daily use.

A standout addition to this project was Charge N Chill™. With 97% of Australians owning a mobile phone, yet most parks designed as if they don't, Charge N Chill allowed Long Park to help close that gap. Featuring dust and waterproof USB ports and a wireless charging pad with ambient night light, these units allow councils and landscape designers to meet the evolving needs of our digitally connected world.

Charge N Chill was developed through extensive end-user research and real-world council trials. Each unit is also compatible with our Akuna Decorative Panels (pictured right), giving every installation its own distinct character. 

Long Park is the result of genuine collaboration between a project of enormous scale, spaces with vastly different demands, and a product range built to meet all of them. If you wish to explore our full range of park solutions, click here.