South Metro Connect’s role
The role of South Metro Connect is to collaborate with community and stakeholders to find an environmentally acceptable and sustainable solution for extending Roe Highway between Kwinana Freeway and Stock Road, to accommodate Perth’s rapidly expanding South West Corridor.
South Metro Connect will not determine whether the project will go ahead, the commitment to commence construction of the extension has been made by the State Government. Similarly South Metro Connect will not decide whether the project is environmentally acceptable. This decision is made by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the Minister for the Environment.
South Metro Connect recognises that there are members of the community who oppose the State Government’s decision to extend Roe Highway. The role of South Metro Connect, however, is to work collaboratively with the community to identify the best design within the project boundaries that will respect the local environment and meet the growing traffic demands and associated social issues of the rapidly expanding southern corridor. This will be the focus of the design workshop. Those members of the community who oppose the extension are able to raise their concerns with their local MP.
South Metro Connect will advertise the release of the Public Environmental Review (PER) document and the commencement of the public review period, which has been extended from 6 to 12 weeks. You can subscribe to our fortnightly updates where you will be advised of all of the current events. Please remember this project is currently in the development phase and South Metro Connect is seeking the community’s assistance to gain an understanding of local issues and concerns so that we can provide a solution that exceeds expectations.
Do you want to talk to us face to face? Come visit us!
South Metro Connect’s shopfront is open to the public 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. If you would like to visit us but are unable to make it during these hours please call us on 1800 132 572 to arrange a meeting outside business hours.
Local access highlighted as a concern!
Design Workshop Two: Stock Road to North Lake Road
The second Design Workshop was held on Tuesday 4th May and concentrated on the area between Stock Road and North Lake Road.
The community was notified by advertisements in the West Australian and Community newspapers, fortnightly project updates in the community newspapers, community newspaper inserts as well as project updates to all those who subscribed for email notifications. 6 000 letters were delivered to those who could be directly affected by this section of the project and stakeholders were personally invited via email and telephone. The morning session of the workshop was attended by 47 people and the evening session was attended by 25 people. Attendees included representatives from local council, state government departments and local business owners. The aim of the workshop was to present a drawing showing one possible design option to stimulate discussion to identify community and other issues and needs.
Mark Hazebroek, Project Director, said “The design workshop highlighted that access between Hamilton Hill and Coolbellup was a significant concern especially for those who want to access the schools in the area, utilise public transport or who walk across these areas frequently. Visual amenity, pedestrian access, retaining the ‘bushland experience’ and noise were other major issues raised. We are still seeking comments in relation to whether or not Roe Highway should be connected to Forrest Road to the west (see below). We have registered all of the comments that have been received to date and are encouraging anyone who will be affected by the proposed Roe Highway Extension to register their concerns or suggestions online. Our design team will consider all of these comments to produce an option or options that will take into consideration community, technical and environmental needs wherever possible.”
The discussion drawing for Design Workshop 2 is available on our online forum and the opportunity to comment on the drawing will be open until Friday, 21 May 2010. Please visit www.southmetroforum.com.au or alternatively visit us at our shopfront during office hours to register your comments.
Should Roe Highway have a connection west of Stock Road to Forrest Road?
South Metro Connect is currently considering two options for the interchange of the proposed Roe Highway extension and Stock Road. One option (as shown on the discussion drawing available on our website) shows no connection to Forrest Road to the west.
This option indicates that vehicles travelling west along Roe Highway Extension will either need to turn right or left into Stock Road and then use Winterfold Road or Phoenix Road to travel further west. Vehicles will not be able to continue straight ahead into Forrest Road under this option.
Option two will allow a connection to Forrest Road which will enable vehicles to travel straight ahead off Roe Highway Extension into Hamilton Hill.
Anyone with an interest in this area is encouraged to download the discussion drawing available on our online forum at www.southmetroforum.com.au and provide comment online. Alternatively you can send your comments in or call us on our toll free number: 1800 132 572.
Go online and have your say!
South Metro Connect’s online forum has been up and running since October 2009. Go online to see what has been said or to have your say!
Design Workshop 3: from North Lake Road to Bibra Drive
Registrations are now open for Design Workshop 3 which will focus on the area between North Lake Road and Bibra Drive. This area will include the section between North Lake and Bibra Lake which has significant environmental elements and has great significance to the Noongar people.
Please call 1800 132 572 to register your interest. An online forum will be open prior to the workshop.