Greens (WA) representative for Transport, the Hon. Tim Clifford claims planning for the Murdoch Drive Link is based on outdated and inappropriate data from the Roe 8 project. Mr Clifford stands with the community in asking the Minister for Transport to halt works until a plan that meets community expectations and responds to the State’s public transport goals is delivered.
“As it stands, the Murdoch Link Road is looking like Roe 8 by stealth. It seems that the government is using traffic modelling as well as environmental approvals from the Roe 8 project and yet this is a different road. It doesn’t add up and frankly, it puts the environment at risk.
“This is truly testing the patience of a community that has already had to put up with so much through the actions of the last government.”
The Murdoch Drive Connection forms part of a package of road works, negotiated by the government after it scrapped Roe 8 and is funded by both Commonwealth and State funding. The primary objective of the road is to provide a southern connection from Kwinana Freeway to the Murdoch Activity Centre and yet the current plans show a route that extends dangerously close to the fragile Beeliar Wetlands.
Questions raised in Parliament by the Hon Mr Tim Clifford indicate that the traffic modelling used for this project were completed in 2017 but the government will not reveal the data until after the consultation with stakeholders has been completed and yet according to the Main Roads website, works have already begun.
Mr Clifford does not deny that the Murdoch Activity Centre does need better access but points to original transport plans included some good recommendations for public transport options. Let’s make sure they’re put in place.
“It would seem that the proposed road is out of scale for the purpose it has been designed and does not appear to have a comprehensive and strategic plan that includes public transport backing it. This community deserves better than this.”
WA Greens Transport representative, the Hon. Tim Clifford MLC calls on the Minister for Transport, “Please, stop all works until the studies have been completed, community properly consulted and an appropriate, fit for purpose road designed. More roads lead to more traffic, let’s ensure public transport is included in the strategic plan, our future generations will thank us for it.” He said