MORE than 80 hectares of the Beeliar Wetlands are one step closer to being protected from development after a rezoning bill was introduced to parliament.
Under the Metropolitan Region Scheme (Beeliar Wetlands) Bill 2018 tabled in state parliament on Wednesday morning, 85.8 hectares of wetlands that had been slated for the Perth Freight Link will be rezoned from primary regional roads to parks and recreation.
Planning minister Rita Saffioti said if the bill passed it would mean the area could no longer be used for road construction.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“The public gave us a mandate when they elected the State Government that the Perth Freight Link had to go,” she said.
“It was a deeply flawed, controversial project that I am pleased has been laid to rest.
“The people of this area and wider Perth made it very clear – they don’t want a road through these wetlands, and this Bill solidifies our commitment to restoring this land for the community.
“Down the track, we will also be investigating what to do with the remaining part of the Perth Freight Link.”
She said environmental rehabilitation works on the site were ongoing.
Another 81.2 hectares of land west of North Lake Road that had been reserved for primary regional roads will also go to public consultation before a decision on appropriate zoning is made.