Since the earliest days of the colony of Western Australia, the railway has stood as an important symbol of connection, expansion and progress. Throughout the state's history, successive governments have sought to leave their mark on the landscape by opening up new land to rail travel. Today, a vast 7,605 kilometre steel network links suburb to city, farmland to coast and iron ore mine to international port.
The Department is responsible for a number of important rail functions including safety, coordination and planning.
