Heritage challenge lodged against Roe 8

The State Government has hit another roadblock in its effort to establish the Perth Freight Link, with a legal challenge over Aboriginal heritage approvals put forward last week.

The establishment of a road and rail network to Fremantle Port, including the construction of the contentious Roe 8, is a priority for the Government.

However, Whadjuk Nyungar custodian Corina Abraham has challenged the project, saying that the road would disturb a mythological site.

“This place is as important for Nyungar people as Kings Park or Anzac Cove is for non-Aboriginal people,” she said.

“By desecrating this place, it’s like the Government is throwing sand in the face of our ancestors.”

Greens South Metropolitan MLC Lynn MacLaren said Ms Abraham’s objections were “a sign the Government has lost its way”.

City of Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams has used the news as another reason the Government should adopt the Indian Ocean Gateway proposal.

This scheme suggests that the construction of an outer harbour in Kwinana and the use of Anketell and Rowley roads would save money and improve efficiency.

“We strongly urge the Government to consider the City's Indian Ocean Gateway proposal as a viable alternative to Roe 8,” Ms Adams said.

“(This is) an alternative which would be less disruptive and one which would bring social and economic benefits to the region and the State, and indeed the nation, for upward of the next 50 years.”

The City’s proposal received praise at a Senate inquiry in Kwinana last month, with momentum building.

Ms Adams confirmed to theTelegraph that she had secured meetings with the WA National Party and Infrastructure Australia to present details of the proposal.

Senator Dio Wang, who was present at last month’s inquiry, has also asked for a further briefing and to tour the potential IOG site.