TWO environmental groups met with Opposition environment spokesman Chris Tallentire to voice concerns over road extensions, planned as part of the $75.4 million Scarborough foreshore redevelopment.
Friends of Trigg Beach and Save our Sand Dunes representatives said they were also seeking a meeting with the Environment Minister.
Mr Tallentire said the planned roads would have a “serious impact” on the dunal system, which incorporates two Bush Forever sites, and promised to raise the issue in Parliament.
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READ NOW“We had a good site walk and it’s clear that planned roads to go behind the immediate shore facing dunes are going to have a serious impact on the dunal system and at the same time have huge social impacts as well,” he said.
“The idea of a busy road cutting off people’s access to the beach and at the same time cutting the ecology of the area just seems like a crazy idea.”
Mr Tallentire said he would “make representations” in Parliament about the environmental concerns.
“They (the State Government) need to be thinking about how we solve traffic problems in ways other than just building more roads,” he said.
“I’m confident that with full expression, we would have a sensible choice when it comes to transport options, not just looking at 1950s thinking of putting a road through a dune area.
“There are much better ways of helping people get to the area with a combination of public transport, cycle ways and walking access factored in and ensuring the existing roadways are running to their full capacity.”
Friends of Trigg Beach convener Robyn Murphy said Mr Tallentire had assured the group its concerns would be taken seriously.
“Mr Tallentire has told us that he is aware that two important protected Bush Forever areas are threatened by the construction of these roads and carparks, and he has assured us that our concerns are being taken seriously.
“He will be asking questions of the Minister for the Environment, Albert Jacob, regarding the environmental assessments of the proposed roads and seeking their release to the public.”
Mr Tallentire said he supported the group’s calls for more transparency in the planning process and Scarborough Redevelopment Community Advisory Group (SRCAG).
Environment Minister Albert Jacob was contacted for comment but told the Stirling Times the issue was a planning matter.