Perth’s urban sprawl shows no signs of abating with three in every five new homes being built on the city’s fringe.

And analysis has found many of these homes are located a long way from train and bus stations, adding to Perth’s already high dependence on cars.

As a result, Perth’s outer urban fringe has the nation’s highest vehicle ownership rate at 96.7 vehicles per 100 people aged 18-84.

The analysis by Victorian transport expert Chris Loader said this rate of car ownership was “close to saturation”.

In his Charting Transport blog, Mr Loader said Perth had “the least alignment” between outer urban growth and public transport networks of any Australian city.

“I’m not sure many urban planners would recommend such a strategy,” he said.

“However, Perth’s Metronet program appears to be trying to rectify this with new lines and stations proposed near urban growth areas such as Yanchep, Canning Vale East, Ellenbrook, Byford and Karnup (Golden Bay).

“It will, however, take some time to get to them all built and open.”

Mr Loader, who was originally from Perth and has been working in the transport field for more than 10 years, said that while most of Perth’s population growth was on its fringe, most of these areas had relatively low densities.

Planning and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said Metronet would address some of the shortfalls in growing suburbs.

“Metronet will provide a public transport solution for residents living in some of the fastest growing corridors across the metropolitan region,” she said.

“This comes after years of neglect by the former government where little investment was made in public transport.

“Residents within growth corridors, including Yanchep, Ellenbrook and Byford, will have access to better transport solutions as part of the McGowan Government’s investment in public transport infrastructure.

“While this will take time, Metronet will include up to 17 extra stations with urban infill and redevelopment opportunities varying from area to area.”