This resulted in accusations that the federal government was pork barrelling as Lakelands station was in Liberal MP Andrew Hastie's seat whereas Karnup station was in a safe Labor seat held by Madeleine King.

[3] Lakelands station is immediately south of where Lake Valley Drive bridges across the Mandurah line.

The station's entrance, where the bus interchange and car park are located, is to the west of the railway.

[4][5] There is future proofing for the addition of fare gates, escalators, more lifts and other facilities once patronage increases.

This includes a "neutral colour palette, sculptural concrete forms, and a distinctive overhanging roof".

[4] There will be public art designed by Sioux Tempestt and Noongar artist Seantelle Walsh.

[1]: 46 [14] Despite the station having been planned since before the residential development of the area, four residential lots were created between the proposed car park and Lake Valley Drive, constraining the site and making noise and privacy issues more difficult to solve.

[1]: 6  Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said that if elected, he would build Karnup station irrespective of any potential federal funding.

[17][18] After winning the 2017 state election, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti reconfirmed Labor's commitment to build Karnup station as part of the wider Metronet infrastructure construction project.

[19] Starting in 2017, several public figures, including City of Mandurah Mayor Marina Vergone and Liberal MP Andrew Hastie, whose seat of Canning includes Lakelands but not Karnup, began lobbying for Lakelands station to be built instead of Karnup station.

[19][20] During a visit to Lakelands by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in April 2018, the Federal Government committed $2 million to develop a business case for the station plus more funding for the station's construction subject to the business case.

Premier McGowan said the state government still planned on constructing Karnup station and was developing a business case, but the timeframe was unknown.

[26][27] Labor MP Madeleine King, whose seat of Brand encompasses Karnup, said the decision of the federal government to fund only Lakelands station was "based on cynical pork barrelling and political point scoring".

The CRG consists of eight people who are residents or representing local businesses or community groups.

The conditions included a redesign of the car park, better public transport and pedestrian access, changes to lessen the impact on the environment, and the integration of the bicycle storage area within the station building rather than as a standalone structure.

[42][43] The Public Transport Authority (PTA) modified the design to fulfil the conditions set by the Mandurah council and the station was approved by a Joint Development Assessment Panel in September 2021,[2][44] allowing major works to begin in late 2021.

[45][46] During early 2022, works occurred for constructing the platforms, elevator shafts, retaining wall, and earthworks for the car park and bus interchange.

[59] Routes 584, 585 and 586 links to Mandurah station, passing through Madora Bay, Meadow Springs, San Remo, Silver Sands and Greenfields.