CITY of Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey has expressed his disappointment and concern about Labor’s announcement it would cancel the Perth Freight Link if elected.
Roe 8 is the first stage of the Perth Freight Link and late last year the State Government signed contracts for Roe 8 to link Roe Highway and Stock Road.
Works began in December and a spokesman for Transport Minister Bill Marmion said quitting the contract would cost up to $40 million.
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READ NOWMr Aubrey referred to an expert report released before Christmas that looked at the consequences of not completing Roe Highway, including a direct financial cost of $820 million for at least 20 major upgrades between the freeway and Fremantle.
The City of Melville called on Labor to commit to these upgrades as part of its $1.7 million reallocation of road funding, and sent a letter to opposition leader Mark McGowan on the matter before Christmas.
“The determination that they will renegotiate contracts and not complete the Roe 8 construction will result in a massive negative impact on the City of Melville and surrounding suburbs in Cockburn and Fremantle to a catastrophic impact,” Mr Aubrey said.
Mr Aubrey said none of the projects indicated by Mr McGowan supported reduction of congestion of the east west links providing critical access to important sites such as St John of God Hospital Murdoch.
If elected, Labor would direct funding to the $166 million Armadale Road Bridge flyover to link Armadale Road with North Lake Road, give $95 million for two new overpasses on Wanneroo Road, and bring forward funding to widen Armadale Road between Anstey Road and Tapper Road.
“It is my impression that residents living in Melville and surrounding areas have a serious matter now that will affect their property prices and community amenity which they need to have addressed and focused on,” Mr Aubrey said.
Today, Mr McGowan said the announced projects would address congestion as three of Perth’s 10 most congested intersection and create jobs for 1440 people.
“We will make further announcements in relation to easing congestion across Perth suburbs in the lead-up to the election,” he said.