DONGARA–GERALDTON
BYPASS ROUTE ALIGNMENT SELECTION STUDY
857. Mr I.C. BLAYNEY to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the Dongara–Geraldton
bypass route alignment selection study.
(1) Is the minister aware of a large amount of
community concern in the Allanooka and Walkaway areas about the proposed
route due to its impact on the community, the environment at the Allanooka
reserve and valuable farmland?
(2) Why was
upgrading the existing Brand Highway as far as Rudds Gully not considered as an
option?
Ms R. SAFFIOTI
replied:
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for Geraldton for that question. A number of options were
considered as part of the process of determining the preferred corridor. The
preferred corridor was announced about three weeks ago. Last week, I visited
Geraldton to meet with the Shires of Irwin and Chapman Valley and the City of
Greater Geraldton. We discussed the fact that we have the preferred route and
now we are consulting with individual landowners and groups. In respect of the
member's comments about the Brand Highway, there are a number of
difficulties with expanding the Brand Highway through that area; for example,
it would pretty much cut off access to many landowners. Secondary access points
would have to be built and there would be an enormous disruption to landowners
along that way as well. A number of options were considered, but this is the preferred option. At the moment,
consultation is happening on the details of the route. As I said in that
meeting, where we can avoid private landownership and structures we will do
that. We are working now through the fine detail to create a detailed route. We
continue to consult with all the landowners in that area; that consultation is
happening right now.
I went to Geraldton to meet with the
relevant shires. The Shire of Northampton was not there, but the Shire of Irwin spoke on its behalf. We sat and
talked through all their issues. I am not sure where the City of
Geraldton is at with the project; sometimes it supports the project and
sometimes it does not. But I know that many of the residents want this project
to go ahead because they want Geraldton to grow. They want to see increased
tourism possibilities and they want to separate, where possible, heavy traffic
from tourist traffic in particular. That is what we are working on. As I said,
we are working with individual landowners to ensure that the final route
minimises disruption and impact. As always, a lot of work has to happen around
local access and making sure in particular that businesses can continue to
operate.
The key thing that I have heard, in
particular from those shires and the landowners north of Geraldton, is that
they want certainty. This route has been discussed and on the table for about
15 to 20 years. As I said, the easy option was to do nothing, particularly
north of Geraldton, and to leave the lines on the map. But I am committed to giving landowners certainty. It
is tough and challenging, but that is why we are working with individual landowners and groups and we have
dedicated Main Roads Western Australia consultation happening to provide
people with certainty as soon as possible.