THE federal and state governments have kicked in the millions to finish Roe Highway, but Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt says it’s taking the wrong—and expensive—route.
Earlier this week federal senator Mathias Cormann joined WA premier Colin Barnett and transport minister Dean Nalder in announcing the commitment of cash to build the freight link, which will be WA’s first toll road, although at this stage it only applies to trucks.
The federal government has promised $925m, while the state government is to kick in another $591m—which Mr Barnett acknowledges will add to the state’s debt in the short term.
But Dr Pettitt says they’re wasting money and there’s a cheaper option that will divert the highway past the sensitive Beeliar wetlands.
He says he’s been urging Main Roads to revisit an early option to send Roe down an existing rail corridor and back onto Stock Road closer to Beeliar Drive.
He says that will make the highway easier to link with the Outer Harbour, which is pencilled in for a 2025 construction. Dr Pettitt says the feedback he’s got from Main Roads is that they’re concerned about the impact on residents along the route, but he says the destruction of the wetland is “indefencible”.
• Matt Taylor, Mathias Cormann, Dean Nalder, Mike Nahan and Russell Aubrey joined premier Colin Barnett to announce Roe’s got the money. Photo by Steve Grant
“The problem with Main Roads, and it’s the same with High Street, is that they see A-Class reserves as vacant land to put roads through, rather than as important environments,” he told the Herald.
But Melville mayor Russell Aubrey couldn’t contain his grin at Wednesday’s announcement.
He says the federal commitment is vindication for his unwavering support for the project over more than a decade; even in the face of stiff opposition from neighbouring councils Fremantle and Cockburn.
The three are part of the South West Group of councils which recently released its wish list for state funding.
Top of the list was Roe Highway, which had Labor’s Cockburn MP Fran Logan hopping mad.
He wants to know why Cockburn and Fremantle are supporting the project through the SWG, given they’re publicly opposed.
But Mr Aubrey said the two councils were simply outvoted, while Dr Pettitt says they support an upgrade to Stock Road, but without going through the wetlands.
by STEVE GRANT
There is that word again “through” Roe 8 goes OVER between the lakes using modern bridging and underpasses not through the wetlands … There is more to the Roe highway and reinstating the Fremantle Eastern Bypass part of the way through a tunnel from the end of Stirling highway and connecting into the ends of Cockburn , Hampton and Rockingham roads on it’s way to the end of the Roe highway at Stock road than just trucks to or from the port … Get the trucks off Hampton road that is now a defacto FEB cutting Freo in half … Going to the ends of Cockburn and Hampton roads will provide a greater connection east/west to all the new developments going on south of Fremantle in the old powerhouse areas as well as a better connection for community’s north of Fremantle to community’s south of Fremantle … The opposition’s are trying to imply this road system is strictly for trucking traffic only not the general traffic that uses it mare than trucks do …