05/05/2010 Top priority a must for Perth to Darwin Highway

On Monday 3 May 2010, the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) organised a forum to progress the construction of stage one of the Perth to Darwin National Highway as a critical transport issue locally, regionally and state-wide.

The Perth to Darwin National Highway is planned to start from Reid Highway, along Lord Street and will traverse North-East, past Ellenbrook and through to Muchea. This section of highway will alleviate the current transport conflicts experienced on Great Northern Highway and will give freight traffic, to and from the North-West, a more suitable alternative to the single-lane Great Northern Highway.

The forum which was attended by federal and state members of parliament, local Councillors and senior staff from state and local government, as well as a number of business and industry leaders and community groups; provided an opportunity to collectively advocate to the State Government to make this highway a reality sooner, rather than later.

The Perth to Darwin National Highway needs to be a priority infrastructure project for the State and the state government needs to fast track planning and allocate seed funding in the next state budget so that a submission can be made to federal government seeking the required funding.

EMRC Councillor and City of Swan Mayor, Charlie Zannino said "This current situation is proving to be an issue in terms of safety and amenity for local residents and there are concerns that it is affecting the tourism industry economically.

"The bottom line is that the Perth to Darwin Highway proposal needs to be given top priority status by our State in order to attract Federal support."

Member for Pearce, The Hon. Judi Moylan MP outlined her role in ensuring the federal government knows about this priority road infrastructure and highlighted the importance of a united community voice in gaining attention from state and federal political decision makers.

The 50 workshop participants shared information and ideas about engaging with the community to make this issue front of mind and identified how mining and logistics industries must provide assistance in the construction of this highway, to promote an efficient and safe road system to support WA's mining and resource sector.

Forum speakers highlighted that WA's economic development is largely dependent on the functions of highly efficient road, rail and air infrastructure and that state funding decision makers must realise the strategic significance of Perth's Eastern Region in the economic transport equation and that this highway is a critical piece in this economic puzzle.

The forum also highlighted the importance of progressing the project to protect community safety, ensure safe transport of goods and maintain Perth's most iconic and valued tourism precincts - the Swan Valley, Perth Hills and Swan River.

For more information on the Perth to Darwin National Highway proposal please visit www.emrc.org.au or contact Alex Botar, EMRC's Policy Advisor on (08) 9424 2279 or email alex.botar@emrc.org.au.