Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey.
Camera IconMelville Mayor Russell Aubrey. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Mayors exchange words

Bryce LuffFremantle Gazette

Mr Aubrey said Cockburn's bid to secure funding for a bridge from North Lake Road over the Kwinana Freeway and to widen Armadale Road appeared like a grab for "Melville's road funding" to fast track less important infrastructure.

"It's taken me and the City of Melville 15 years of lobbying to get the funding for the extension of Kwinana Freeway to the Fremantle Port that will complete the Link and create a bypass for Melville, Cockburn and Fremantle " just in time to handle the projected traffic growth," he said.

"Ill be working closely with the electors of the City of Melville to ensure we aren't cheated, bullied or politically blackmailed out of safer, free-flowing road network."

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said the $290 million Community Connect South project centred on an upgrade of existing infrastructure and advocating for integrated transport opportunities.

"There is no single solution to congestion on Perth's roads and the City has been consistent in advocating for improved infrastructure with maximum community benefit," he said.

Mr Aubrey also argued it was hypocritical for Cockburn to oppose the $1.6 Perth Freight Link (PFL) on environmental grounds, then support an outer harbour at Cockburn Sound.

An outer harbour is expected to bring significant environmental challenges, as the PFL has.

Mr Howlett said the City's opposition of the Perth Freight Link was based on environmental, social and economic grounds, adding that it was aware of the challenges associated with an outer harbour.

"Supporting an outer harbour in principle does not equate to forfeiting environmental approvals or due diligence," he said.