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WA government scraps Perth Freight Link project

The WA government has followed through on a previous election promise by officially ending the controversial freight road project
Reid Highway

The Western Australian government has finalised its decision to close the Roe 8 and 9 Perth Freight Link project.

Following the finalisation of an amendment to the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS), the controversial road project can no longer go ahead.

It means the state government has followed through on its promise at the 2017 state election to end the project.

The amendment removes the Primary Regional Roads reservation from the MRS, with areas of the highest environmental and heritage significance now reserved for parks and recreation.

Other parts that are largely cleared or already developed will be rezoned for urban uses which allows for a variety of opportunities such as housing, local open space, recreation, private education, commercial and mixed use, which will be determined through subsequent stages of planning.

“This amendment marks a significant milestone in the WA government’s 2017 election commitment to scrap the destructive Perth Freight Link project,” WA planning minister John Carey says.

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“The road reservation has long been a barrier to planning for the Fremantle/Cockburn area, and the finalisation of this amendment provides certainty to all stakeholders and the community that this road can no longer go ahead.

“The inclusion of urban-zoned land also enables a mixture of other local uses to be contemplated through subsequent stages of planning, with opportunities to boost housing supply and rejuvenate parts of the corridor.”

The WA government says despite delay tactics from the WA Greens, who moved a disallowance motion on the 12th and final day that the MRS amendment was required to be tabled in Parliament, the Bill has been passed and the Roe 8 and 9 Perth Freight Link project has officially been shut down.

The finalisation of the MRS amendment follows an extensive engagement program with stakeholders including local governments, community groups, local education providers, recreation groups and the broader community.

“We all knew the Roe 8 and 9 and the failed Perth Freight Link was a road to nowhere and I’m proud that our WA government have shut this destructive and thoughtless project down,” Fremantle local member Simone McGurk says.

“It was telling that it was the Liberal-Nationals who voted in favour of the Greens’ motion.

“The rezoning presents an unparalleled opportunity to ensure permanent protection of significant conservation and heritage areas, which the local community can now enjoy for generations to come.

“The community has long advocated for the removal of the regional road reserve and protection of the environmental and cultural assets within, and this amendment is a testament to their dedication and efforts.”

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