City of Kwinana Mayor appeals to PM to abandon Roe 8

THREE tiers of government gathered this morning at Bibra Lake to call on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to advise the state government not to sign contracts for the controversial Roe 8 extension.

Federal Member for Brand Madeleine King, Burt and Fremantle counterparts Matt Keogh and Josh Wilson, Labor Senator Glenn Sterle, and WA Labor MPs Kwinana’s Roger Cook and Willagee’s Peter Tinley joined Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams to vehemently oppose Roe 8.

They said there was a viable alternative that would save taxpayers more than $1.5 billion and not damage the Beeliar Wetlands, which includes popular recreation area Bibra Lake.

Roe 8 is part of the Perth Freight Link (PFL) put forward by the State Government to alleviate freight congestion on Leach Highway.

Councillor Adams said the timing closely mirrored the costly East West Link in Victoria.

“The East West Link project saw contracts signed just prior to an election and after it was subsequently cancelled, Victorian taxpayers were left with a hefty bill,” she said.

“I hope WA would have learnt some important lessons from that debacle.”

Cr Adams wanted the State Government to consider alternatives before committing taxpayers to billion dollar infrastructure projects.

“I have seen the transport plan from the State Government and the Kwinana Outer Harbour has been pushed back 34 years,” she said.

“Can you imagine what the traffic in Fremantle will be like in 34 years?

“We don’t want to be in a situation like Victoria that costs the community millions of dollars.

“The Outer Harbour makes sense, you’re using Tonkin Highway, Anketell and Rowley roads; roads that are already in existence, high wired low corridors.

“The City of Kwinana has done an enormous amount of work which we are willing to share with the Government.”

However, a spokesman for Mr Turnbull said PFL had its place.

“The Prime Minister is aware of the project,” he said.

“Perth Freight Link is a critical piece of national infrastructure and has been identified as a high priority by Infrastructure Australia.”

The Save Beeliar Wetlands community group launched an appeal to the High Court against environmental approvals earlier this morning.