GERALDTON HEAVY VEHICLE BYPASS
602. Mr I.C. BLAYNEY to
the Minister for Transport:
I refer to media reports this week that a decision has been
made to choose route 6 to the north of Geraldton, and route 1 to the south of Geraldton, for the proposed Geraldton heavy
vehicle bypass. Can the minister confirm whether a final decision on the
route has been made?
Ms R. SAFFIOTI
replied:
Mr Speaker —
Mr R.S. Love: We would all like to know.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: A decision has not been made. A
planning study was undertaken by Main Roads WA, which heavily consulted with
the four councils or shires involved. A route definition study and a preferred
option report have been forwarded to my office. I will be looking at the report
over coming weeks, including seeking feedback from
the relevant shires and council. What happens as part of this is that Main Roads
consulted with the three shires and the council involved. One of those
mayors came out and attacked the decision, even though no decision has been
made. We have now had feedback from two other councils or shires saying they
want to distance themselves from the attack because they want to work collaboratively
to choose the best option.
These projects are difficult. Determining routes for major
roads is always difficult. There will always be debate. That is why we have gone through the process. A study arrived in my
office on Monday and we will now be working through the process to make
a final decision. This whole idea of politicising these types of projects,
creating battles before the battles need or
should happen, means these types of projects will sometimes take years, rather
than months, to finalise. When the federal government looks at trying to
provide funding for projects, it is looking at what is a unified position by state and local governments. I urge people, on
these difficult projects; this is one that Main Roads has been working
on with the key stakeholders. A report has come to my office. The mayors are
briefed, as they should be, and then one mayor goes out and wants to launch a political
attack. If that is how people want to do business, they will see those projects
never actually eventuate because when the federal government wants to determine
where it should put funding, it wants to see a consensus approach between state
and local governments. I urge the local governments involved, particularly one
of them, to sit back, work and be constructive. If it really wants the outcome,
be constructive and be part of the process, as it has been in the past. Work
with the state in determining the final outcome. As I said, these decisions are
never easy because there are always differing ideas on what route should be
undertaken. I know the member for Geraldton wants the project to go ahead. The
only way these projects go ahead is if they are sans controversy and political
battles at this stage.