Survey Results Show Community Support for Roe Highway Extension

A survey carried out in October 2009 has confirmed broad community support for the proposed Roe Highway Extension. The main objective of the survey was to capture the level of awareness within the community and note any community concerns in relation to the Roe Highway Extension. The survey was completed prior to the commencement of any project development and preceded the Community Information Day that was also held in October 2009.

The survey results show there is general support for the project in Western Australia. However, opposition to the project does increase in and around the existing road reserve.

This survey indicated that 70% of all people in Western Australia were not aware of the planned Roe Highway Extension, with these figures dramatically changing to 76% awareness for people surveyed closer to the project location. This group, entitled ‘Materially Affected Area’ generally includes those people falling within an imaginary boundary that runs just north of Leach Highway, just east of Kwinana Freeway, south to Beeliar Drive and west to Carrington Street.

From those people in the project area, who are aware of the project, only 19-26% could accurately describe the route of the planned extension (e.g. in the existing road reserve). Over 60% of the public stated that they did not have enough information about the Roe Highway Extension which has reinforced and confirmed the need to continue to supply the community with project updates and to schedule workshops, meetings and forums for the public and specific community and stakeholder groups.

The survey targeted an over 18 year old audience and had an equal gender bias. The survey, which was completed by Patterson Market Research, is the first of three surveys proposed to be carried out within the project cycle to gauge the views and opinions of the public and to steer community engagement efforts in the right direction. The survey included questions about the need for the proposed Roe Highway Extension, whether respondents supported or opposed the Roe Highway Extension and the current level of awareness of the project.

The outcome of the survey verifies the feedback results from our October Community Information Day. The Information Day was attended primarily by City of Cockburn residents, with the majority of attendees (approximately 55%) specifying their opposition to the project.

The main areas of concern expressed by survey respondents and Information Day attendees were:

  • Environment,
  • Traffic congestion,
  • Noise, and
  • Road safety, particularly related to truck and heavy vehicle traffic

The State Government authorised the release of the survey results to the general public late last year.

The final survey report contains detailed description of all the findings of the survey, research approach and sampling procedure results, and Patterson Market Research assessment of the survey outcomes.

Click here to view the report and a copy of the questionnaire


Take the opportunity. Make a Difference. Get online today!

Phase two of our online forum has commenced. Get online today to be involved in the design process of the proposed Roe Highway Extension.

“Based on your values how would you rank the following factors for the design of the proposed Roe Highway Extension?”

Stage one of the MCA online forum commenced on 22 December 2009 and both forums will run throughout January. South Metro Connect will compile the results and use them in producing design options on which the community can comment in our upcoming information days and forums, which will commence in early February. We recognise that this is a difficult time of year, given seasonal and school holidays, but we encourage you to participate.

Get Online today. Click here to make a difference and get involved! 

Please click here to download a copy of this Project Update as a PDF