The Hon Mr Tim Clifford will receive a petition today at 3.30 at Parliament House asking the Legislative Council to develop a new plan for the Murdoch Link on the basis that the Murdoch Drive Connection is not fit for purpose, will increase ambulance travel times, increase traffic flows and does not address public transport demand.
Greens (WA) representative for Transport and Planning, the Hon. Tim Clifford notes the Government’s announcement that the Minister for Planning is considering a Metropolitan Region Scheme amendment and that she is committed to protecting the Beeliar Wetlands. However, the announcement falls short of any promise to pursue this vigorously and it does not set out a clear, strategic plan for improving access to the Murdoch Activity Centre – the supposed rationale for building this road.
Indeed, construction and clearing has already begun for the Murdoch Link Road. It appears, from questions asked by the Hon. Tim Clifford that the approvals and modelling has been largely taken from the data sourced for the much larger Roe 8 project.
A new community group, ‘Keep Bibra Drive Local’ has sprung up in response to concerns that the Government has not listened to residents and that no real options have been offered. Residents have spoken about their frustration when asking that the road be built simply as a link to Murdoch Activity Centre rather than as an unwanted extension of a major highway through their suburbs. Already banners are appearing along Farrington Road in a repeat of actions seen this time last year.
“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 timing of the commencement of the works and the pressure put on residents to make what essentially was a ‘Clayton’s choice’ is disrespectful to a community who fought so hard at this time last year to oppose Roe 8.” Said the Hon Tim Clifford.
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