THE widening of the Stirling Highway road reserve in North Fremantle has moved a step closer, with Planning getting approval to put it to Parliament by WA governor Kerry Sanderson.

The plan to “rationalise” the reserve from Nedlands to Freo will affect about 70 local properties (some with heritage buildings) who’ll have their front yards shaved. Some buildings would have to be demolished.

Fremantle staff like the initiative, saying it’ll be safer for cyclists and pedestrians, but councillor Andrew Sullivan has said his colleagues won’t support it because of the potential loss of heritage buildings.