Metronet

Engaging the Public and Streamlining Approvals: Our Work with Metronet

“An incredible outcome and more than we could ever have imagined.”

Elisa Llarda, Operations Manager / Project Lead, Western Health

Public infrastructure projects are inherently complex beasts. They’re large-scale, funded by taxpayer dollars, and scrutinised by the public and various stakeholders. This was the core challenge our client, Metronet, faced. Metronet, responsible for significant infrastructure projects for both the state and the Public Transport Authority (PTA), needed a way to effectively communicate the intricacies of their projects. They required tools to foster community and stakeholder engagement, secure necessary approvals – even from the Minister’s office – and ensure alignment between Metronet and the PTA.

The problem wasn’t just about gaining approval; it was also about public perception. Infrastructure projects, both in Australia and globally, have a reputation for cost overruns. Metronet needed to reassure the community that their tax contributions were being used wisely. There was a need to make these complex projects clear, visually appealing, engaging, and interesting to the public. A key aspect of this was helping the public understand what the end result of these projects would actually look like, to take them on a journey from the present to the future.

Our solution lay in our ability to handle and process complex data to create compelling visualisations. Metronet provided us with a barrage of complex files, including detailed rail files in Navisworks format, often spanning hundreds of kilometres. Our task was to optimise these files to ensure they were suitable for animation, performed well in the viewport, and rendered quickly. This optimisation was crucial for creating accurate and performant animations that could clearly communicate the project’s vision.

Collaboration was at the heart of our process. We worked closely with architects to refine the look and feel of the visualisations, ensuring their designs were accurately represented in the final product. This collaboration allowed for fine-tuning of various elements, including planting and material schedules, geometry, and validation of asset imports from CAD. Furthermore, we provided input on creative aspects such as cinematography and the use of “entourage” – animated people – to bring the scenes to life.

The sheer number of disciplines involved in these projects added another layer of complexity. We had to coordinate with architects, landscape designers, and specialists in areas like signage, overhead line equipment, and station details. Accuracy was paramount, down to the placement of light fittings and security cameras. Adding to the challenge, much of the detailed data was supplied relatively late in the project lifecycle, as designs were still being finalised.

Our Solution: Metronet Train Station and Railway 3D Renders and Flythroughs

Our involvement with Metronet began in 2019 and has continued through to 2025. Over this period, we’ve contributed to visualisations for nearly every new station, rail extension, and bypass project. Our work spanned the project lifecycle, from reference design (approximately 30% approved design) to the final design milestone.

To effectively communicate these projects, we employed industry-specific terminology and techniques. This included creating “animated construction sequences,” “fly-over” and “fly-through” visualisations, and detailed representations of rail infrastructure like “overhead line equipment.” We also incorporated elements like “drawing composites,” real-world map data, and aerial shots captured by our drone pilots (including obtaining necessary flight permissions and compositing aerial footage). We developed visualisations for various stages of construction, such as “series B” and “series C” transport with trains.

Once the accurate technical data was in place, we focused on adding the finer details that would truly bring the visualisations to life. This involved incorporating animated people, buses, cars, and trains, all designed to support the flow and narrative of the visualisation. Composition, lighting, and other cinematic techniques were carefully considered to create engaging and compelling presentations.

The outcomes of our work with Metronet have been significant. The visualisations we produced have been widely used by both the state government and Metronet, appearing on their websites and social media channels such as the Yanchep Rail Extension. Our work has also been featured in numerous news articles and TV news segments.

Beyond public dissemination, our visualisations have played a crucial role in improving communication and collaboration among stakeholders. By providing clear and accurate representations of the final product, we helped to reduce design changes and iterations, ensuring that all details were correct and aligned with the vision. This, in turn, streamlined the approval process, including approvals from the Minister’s office.

While quantifying the precise financial impact of our visualisations is challenging, their value in shaping public perception and facilitating project delivery is undeniable. In projects of this scale, there’s always the potential for delays and budget overruns. Our visualisations helped to assure the public that their money was being invested wisely and provided a clear picture of the intended outcome. This helped maintain positive public perception of planning and infrastructure departments and minimised disruption during construction.

The visualisations also served to mitigate potential negative feedback from the community. By providing “true to life” representations of the completed projects months in advance, we helped to manage expectations and address concerns proactively. This was particularly important in minimising the impact of construction and service disruptions on local residents, showcasing the modern and advanced final designs that awaited them.

Furthermore, there’s anecdotal evidence suggesting a positive correlation between these infrastructure projects and broader economic benefits. For example, there have been observations of property price increases and increased tourism dollars associated with the announcement and development of new stations and bypasses. While establishing a direct causal link is difficult, the visualisations undoubtedly contributed to the positive narrative surrounding these developments.

Our work with Metronet exemplifies the power of visualisation in navigating the complexities of large-scale infrastructure projects. By effectively communicating design intent, fostering stakeholder alignment, and managing public perception, we help to lay the groundwork for successful project delivery and positive community outcomes.