National award for Trackless Tram Trial

The City of Stirling’s Trackless Tram Trial has been celebrated among high calibre winners in the 2024 National Awards for Local Government, with CEO Stevan Rodic accepting the award from Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP.

The awards – which attracted 144 nominations and 12,000 votes – are an annual celebration of local governments achievements that are innovative, make a difference to their local communities, display excellence and have outcomes which can be replicated across the country.

The innovative project won the ‘Productivity through Infrastructure’ category, which is presented to initiatives that use technological innovations, consider sustainability, liveability and productivity in investment strategies and planning and addresses long-term infrastructure priorities.

The Trackless Tram Trial was a huge success, delivering a fully operational tram in Stirling in November. Including a Net Zero Symposium and Community Open Day, it saw 1,200 residents, visitors and transport experts from Perth, interstate and abroad experience the first Trackless Tram in Australia.

Mayor Mark Irwin said the prestigious national accolade reflected the hard work of all the City’s partners to make the Trackless Tram Trial a success.

“The City of Stirling embarked on a business case, which has been funded by the Australian Government, to investigate the feasibility of implementing a Trackless Tram system from Glendalough Station to Scarborough Beach,” he said.

“It was important to bring our community along on this journey so that they could really see what we were trying to do. To share our vision and explore community interest, we undertook an Australian-first trial by getting the Trackless Tram to Stirling so that people could try the technology for themselves.

“We held a Trackless Tram Open Day at our Administration Centre where we gave residents an opportunity to ride on the tram and share their feedback. More than 1,200 people came to the event and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Of those who completed a survey, 94 per cent said the ride quality was good to excellent,” he said.

“We later surveyed residents to understand awareness and perceptions around the Trackless Tram Trial, and 76 per cent of respondents indicated their support for Trackless Trams as a public transport option.

"I’m really proud of the City being recognised for excellence at the federal level with this achievement. I would like to thank the teams involved at the City of Stirling, as well our partners in the trial including ITSG, CRRC, Shanghai Electric and Curtin University for their hard work and commitment.”

The City of Stirling is currently finalising the business case relating to Trackless Tram technology and expects to be in a position to deliver it to the Australian Government in the next few months.

The Trackless Tram trial and business case to date has been made possible thanks to funding by the Australian Government and partnerships with Curtin University, Infrastructure Technology Solutions Group (ITSG), CRRC Corporation Ltd. and Shanghai Electric Group Co., Ltd.

The City has previously won at the national awards, including for the Kaleidoscope Initiative, the Recycling Centre Balcatta’s disability and inclusion model and the City’s Aboriginal Engagement Project.

Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“With the awards now in its 38th year, we continue to see how councils regularly go above and beyond, delivering new solutions and incredible achievements every year – and 2024 was no different.

“This year’s awards received 144 submissions from 74 councils which worked tirelessly to make a difference in their communities, so I congratulate all of them.”

Quotes attributable to Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Minister Kristy McBain:
“Local governments deliver critical day-to-day services that all Australians rely on, and without their work, our nation stops. These National Awards for Local Government provide an opportunity to shine a light on the excellent work our councils are delivering.

“I’ve been blown away – yet again – by the range of innovative and resourceful projects councils have delivered this year for their local communities. They demonstrate excellence in service delivery and I’m thrilled to celebrate their achievements.”