Zak Kirkup and the Liberals today underlined their commitment to build Roe 8 & 9 to create thousands of local jobs, fix congestion and make Perth’s southern suburbs safer.
“Roe 8 & 9 are critical missing links in Perth’s long-planned highway system,” Liberal leader Zak Kirkup said.
“The Liberals will always fight for Roe 8 & 9 because of the real community benefits, like getting 74,000 cars and 7,000 trucks off our local roads every day to create a safer, smarter today and a brighter, better tomorrow.
“This major infrastructure project will create up to 10,000 jobs and is a key part of the Liberals’ plan to create 200,000 new jobs over the next five years.”
Liberal deputy leader and Shadow Minister for Transport Libby Mettam said Western Australians shouldn’t be stuck in traffic because of poor Labor decisions.
“There’s $1.2 billion in Federal funding available right now to build Roe 8 & 9, create thousands of WA jobs, and make our roads safer and more free-flowing,” Ms Mettam said.
“Instead of accessing these funds and fixing congestion, Labor introduced Legislation in Parliament to delete Roe 8 forever.
“Our community wants and needs Roe 8 & 9. Independent research shows the overwhelming majority – 70% of the people who actually live in our southern suburbs – want Roe 8 & 9 built.
“The Liberals are backing our community and will get on with it and build Roe 8 & 9.”
More information: www.buildtheroe.com.au is a comprehensive resource outlining the benefits of Roe 8 & 9.
The extension of Roe Highway into Fremantle – Roe 8 & 9 – would get cars and trucks safely and efficiently from the Kwinana Freeway to the four lane Stirling Highway at Fremantle, bypassing 15 sets of traffic lights on Leach Highway and Stock Road.
According to Main Roads:
- Roe 8 & 9 would reduce fuel usage and exhaust emissions through less stop-start traffic movements.
- Roe 8 & 9 was expected to save 450,000 tons of CO2 in the first 10 years after construction.
- Roe 8 & 9 construction would impact only 0.49% of the Beeliar Regional Park and follows already cleared land of an existing electricity line easement.
- Approximately $45 million would have been invested to specifically accommodate environmental sensitivities and to provide better access to the area.
- Part of the area affected by the project has been degraded over the years by industry, landfill and introduced flora. A wetlands restoration program would have been undertaken at North Lake and Horse Paddock Swamp to improve the area environmentally. This included revegetation of degraded areas and weed control.
- Noise walls would be installed at specific locations along the route, which would reduce traffic noise and visual impacts for local residents.