GREENIES to the left of him and now truckers to the right, Colin Barnett is stuck in the middle with Roe.

Formerly lauded by heavy industry for committing to Roe 8 the premier is now being battered for putting the last stage, the bit that links Stock Road to Fremantle port, on the never-never while still expecting industry to pay a toll to use the bit it does build.

WA road transport association CEO Ian King says it’s ridiculous to expect companies to pay a toll to use a road that doesn’t reach its destination, and says building the PFL in dribs and drabs over the years is a waste of time, money and energy.

“Mr Barnett has not thought this through,” he says.

“The industry, across the board, will be furious if he tries to levy a toll on just stage one.

“The whole point is to ensure a straight run to Fremantle port, not cause a bottleneck at Stock Road and force trucks onto other routes to avoid an onerous toll.”

Mr Barnett has implied that other infrastructure projects will be prioritised over the last stage, despite the federal government saying its $925 million portion of the $1.6b project remains dependant on construction commencing next year.

“The Australian government and the WA government reached an agreement last year concerning the whole PFL (under the national partnership agreement),” says a spokesperson for federal major projects minister Paul Fletcher.

“The Australian government expects the whole PFL (both Roe 8 and the second stage) to be delivered, consistent with that agreement.”

But the premier has intimated that construction of the Forrestfield-Airport Rail Link, Roe 8, and the Swan Valley bypass are now likely to commence before the Stock Road to Fremantle stage.

The Greens and Labor are calling on prime minister Malcolm Turnbull to walk away from the project.

The Herald asked WA transport minister Dean Nalder for details about the PFL toll.

“Main Roads is focused on negotiating the construction and design contract to build Roe 8, and decisions on other matters are yet to be finalised,” says his media adviser, Deanie Carbon.

Meanwhile, Save Beeliar Wetlands has launched a crowdfunding appeal to raise $50,000 to mount a legal challenge in the supreme court against Roe 8.

North Fremantle resident Ben Elton personally donated $10,000 to the appeal, which currently stands at $24,844.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK