A survey carried out in October 2009 has provided an insight into community sentiment for the proposed Roe Highway Extension.

Abra De Klerk, South Metro Connect Project Director for the Roe Highway Extension said, “He was happy with the survey outcomes, which confirms a higher level of community support for the proposed Roe Highway Extension than had been indicated in recent times. He said that many of those surveyed cited traffic congestion and economic development as the key factors for their position and the reason for the project to go ahead as proposed.”

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 State Government’s commitment to extend Roe Highway from Kwinana Freeway to Stock Road.

Broadly speaking the survey shows there is high support for the project in Western Australia with “two out of three respondents supporting the plans for the extension” (excerpt from Patterson’s Report 2009). The results show opposition to the project occurs primarily around the project area and generally speaking increases the closer you move towards the existing road reserve where people may be directly affected by the Roe Highway Extension.
Mr De Klerk states, “These results verify the results from our preliminary Community Information Day, held on October 24th 2009. The information day was attended primarily by City of Cockburn residents with the majority of attendees, approximately 55%, expressing opposition to the project. It was very interesting to see what a larger and more representative sample of the population thinks and to confirm that we do have a lot of support for 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 trucks and heavy vehicles.
   

Mr DeKlerk continues, “An interesting outcome of the survey was that 70% of all people in Western Australia are not aware of the planned Roe Highway Extension, with these figures drastically changing to 24% for people surveyed close to the proposed project location.

“Of the 76% of people in the project area who are aware only 19-26% could accurately describe the route of the planned extension (e.g. within the road reserve). Over 60% of the public stated that they did not have enough information about the Roe Highway Extension. These results have reinforced and confirmed the need to continue to supply the community with fortnightly updates and schedule workshops, meetings and forums for the public and specific community groups.”

The survey completed by Patterson Market Research is the first of three surveys to be completed within the project cycle for the Roe Highway Extension to gauge the views and opinions of the public and to steer community engagement efforts in the right direction.

The State Government authorised the release of the survey results to the general public late last year with the final survey report to be published on the South Metro Connect website. A copy of the questionnaire is also available.
 

Mr De Klerk added, “Over the duration of the project the surveys will help us to gauge community sentiment. We hope to provide design options that balance community needs and enhance the environment and locality of Bibra Lake. These surveys will allow us to understand whether we have succeeded in gaining community confidence, addressing environmental sensitivity and developing a design that meets Western Australia’s social, environmental and economic requirements.

“Various design options are currently being scoped with the first design options to be revealed in February through workshops and forums. We are currently holding two online forums to assist with the development of an analysis tool that will aid the decision making process. I invite the community to get online and participate. Let us know what concerns you and we can factor it into the design for the Roe Highway Extension. We really hope to get some engaging dialogue from the community on the online forum. I urge the community to use this opportunity and get involved to make a difference.”

The online forums will run through January at www.southmetroforum.com.au. The Patterson’s survey report is now available via the homepage on South Metro Connect’s website www.southmetroconnect.com.au. Further information can be obtained via email enquiries@southmetroconnect.com.au or toll free number 1800 132 572.

For further information please contact:
Media Contact: Gaye Gelok 6430 2210 / 0427 358 183