Councils across metropolitan Perth are polarised over the announcement that Labor would not support the controversial Roe 8 development if elected in the forthcoming State election.
The Western Australian Labor Party announced this week that it intends to abandon the extension of the Roe Highway, a flagship part of the Liberal Government’s Perth Freight Link project.
The City of Cockburn welcomed this news, reiterating its staunch opposition to the project.
The City said in a statement: “The City’s position remains unchanged since its first formal position against Roe 8 was adopted in 2001.
“Successive Councils have maintained their strong stance against the wanton destruction of the wetlands and banksia woodlands and the adverse impact on Nyungar culture and heritage.”
Meanwhile, the City of Melville has expressed its disappointment that the project would not proceed under a Labor government.
City of Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey said this would have detrimental impacts on the suburbs of southern Perth, including increased congestion and a lack of employment opportunities.
“We want to know why the concerns and lifestyles of residents in this part of Perth are not top of the agenda for all political parties given that this region faces the most significant freight and general traffic issues,” said the Mayor.
Labor has said it will reallocate the $1.2 billion pledged by the Commonwealth for the Perth Freight Link to other projects, but it is unclear if that money would still be on the table if the project were scrapped.
The Western Australian state election will be held on 11 March.
