THE people are speaking, and their voices are clear - the Perth Freight Link is not what we want.
Liberal Party members such as Matt Taylor, MLA for Bateman, seem to think that if they keep telling us the freight link is a good idea, it will become one.
That the destruction of homes, communities and pristine wetlands, all for a project that is staggeringly expensive and has limited potential to solve any real problems, could ever be considered a wise investment is laughable.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWThe conditional approval from the Environmental Protection Authority is based on an unbelievable number of conditions that push the project to be the most expensive road to ever be built in Western Australia on a per-kilometre basis.
This is the same EPA that previously recommended against any such project, saying that it would be "extremely difficult to be made environmentally acceptable". That the Libs have found a way to get it green-lighted is just a further sign that they are prepared to ride roughshod over the wishes of the people they claim to represent.
We now find out about plans to widen Leach Highway, destroying up to 45 homes in the processes " families uprooted, given no choice in the matter " despite claims that the freight link will solve the congestion issues along Leach.
Which is it? Will the freight link work, or won't it? And why, oh why, oh why is the Liberal Party continuing to insist that the answer to every problem is roads?
Another question that has yet to be answered by our leaders is if the freight link is really the best option, then why have no alternatives even been considered?
Surely, if this truly were the best plan, then it would stand up to scrutiny against other possibilities, which include extending the rail network and creating an outer port at Rockingham?
One freight train could take 100 trucks off the road altogether, costs less for infrastructure and maintenance, uses less fuel and has far less impact on the communities and environment it operates in.
The Liberals have proved time and time again that they are not concerned with what the people want for the future of this State.
It's time for them to stop talking and start listening.
MATTHEW BRUYNINCKX,
Bateman.