Fremantle Inner Harbour- Access

(1) Where is access to the Fremantle inner harbour currently problematic?

(2) How will Roe 8 solve these specific issues?

(3) How will Roe 8 improve access to the Fremantle inner harbour?

(4) How will Roe 8 improve the freight capacity of the Fremantle inner harbour?

Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied:

I apologise for the delay, Mr President; the question was filed under the name of Hon Sally Talbot. I hope the member is not offended!

Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: At least she gets an answer!

Hon SIMON O’BRIEN: There is always a response.

I thank the member for some notice of this question.

(1) Significant traffic volumes, including heavy haulage and congestion on Leach Highway, South Street and Kwinana Freeway, negatively impact on the safe, reliable and efficient access to the Fremantle inner harbour.

(2) Roe Highway forms a strategic link in Perth’s road network, running between Great Northern Highway in Midland and Kwinana Freeway in Jandakot. The extension of Roe Highway from its current terminus at Kwinana Freeway west to Stock Road will result in significant traffic congestion relief to parallel east-west links, including South Street and Leach Highway. The heavy traffic volumes along these routes generate, under existing traffic conditions, major safety, noise, truck movement and accessibility problems for local residents and businesses. The extension will remove most of the heavy haulage trucks from Leach Highway east of Stock Road and, with Stock Road, will form part of the key freight routes to the existing Fremantle inner harbour and proposed outer harbour at Kwinana. It will also allow trucks to bypass Kwinana Freeway between Roe and Leach Highways. This is seen as a major benefit, as managing traffic congestion on this section of the freeway, which is primarily a light vehicle road, is a significant issue.

(3) Roe highway extension combined with Stock Road will provide a high standard, limited access regional road route to the inner harbour and reduce the mix of heavy vehicles on other road users.

(4) Roe Highway extension will improve the efficiency and reliability of freight access to the Fremantle inner harbour and assist in improving freight capability at the harbour.