Outer harbour plan hits Roe 8 hurdle

The potential for an outer harbour in the Cockburn Sound took a hit last week as the State Government confirmed its intention to press ahead with the Roe 8 component of the Perth Freight Link.

The City of Kwinana has led the charge for a new port in the region and has the backing of State and Federal Labor for the project.

The City’s Indian Ocean Gateway proposal includes the use of Rowley and Anketell Roads to link to an outer harbour, hence removing the need for the Freight Link.

However, the Barnett Government has other ideas, with the road network set to be constructed to serve Fremantle harbour.

Despite the Roe 8 component of the project specifically splitting the WA community, and with a State election less than six months away, the contract to start work was signed last Tuesday.

Premier Colin Barnett said the Freight Link would be of significant benefit to Perth.

“Roe 8 is part of the 85km freight route from Muchea to Fremantle and will redistribute more than 6900 trucks and 74,000 light vehicles per day from existing routes in the area,” he said.

“This project will substantially reduce congestion, improve freight efficiency, road safety and access to key activity centres including Murdoch.

“We look forward to further announcements in the near future in relation to development of the next stage of Perth Freight Link, which will extend from Stock Road to the Fremantle Inner Harbour.”

City of Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said the State Government had a duty to consider the alternatives before committing taxpayers to billion-dollar infrastructure projects.

“It is disappointing the Government is not listening to calls from political, not-for-profit, business, and investment sectors for focus to urgently shift to the outer harbour,” she said.

“Let’s build a 21st century port which has been planned for decades and which will create tens of thousands of jobs, inject billions into the economy and set WA up for a prosperous trade future.”

Newly elected Federal Member for Brand Madeleine King made mention of the need for an outer harbour in her maiden speech in Parliament and said the Barnett Government was making a mistake.