- The McGowan Labor Government is introducing amendments to the Metropolitan Region Scheme to rezone land set aside for the Perth Freight Link to convert it to an A-Class Reserve.
- This act of planning vandalism is diametrically opposed to the principles recognised in countless planning strategies going all the way back to the much-lauded Stephenson Hepburn Plan in 1955.
- Labor claims they are keeping the community safe, but by the stroke of a pen they are condemning some unfortunate drivers to become future crash statistics because Labor will not be able to address the increasingly dangerous situation on Leach Highway.
Planning Minister Rita Saffioti has sold out on the principles of strategic land use planning principles by supporting a Bill to remove the vital transport corridor that has been in place for over 60 years.
All previous State Governments have retained this important transport corridor within the Metropolitan Region Scheme and the Commonwealth Government has supported the development with a funding commitment to build the freight network which will save lives and reduce congestion on our metropolitan roads.
The claim by Labor that the Perth Freight Link is flawed or that congestion would be better addressed by other projects is simply not true. The ring road system around Perth’s inner suburbs, which was planned for and retained for decades, has made Perth one of the most unique cities in the world and has opened up possibilities for new transport modes. The Perth Freight Link is one of the last pieces in that plan that is yet to be implemented.
The Beeliar Wetlands would also have been thoroughly protected within the context of the vital freight link and been subjected to review by and appeals to the Environmental Protection Authority.
Comments attributed to Shadow Minister for Planning, Neil Thomson
- “Planning Minister Rita Saffioti has sold out on good land-use planning principles by supporting a Bill to convert the vital Perth Freight link to an A Class Reserve.”
- “This is one of the greatest acts of land-use planning vandalism in the history of Western Australia.”
- “Sadly, for the transport industry and the community at large, this change will simply mean ongoing congestion on Leach Highway and surrounding roads, leading to more unnecessary delays, economic disruption and more road related fatalities and serious injuries.”
