The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has finalised its report on Main Roads’ proposed Tonkin Highway upgrade, recommending the project can be implemented subject to conditions which prevent impacts to the key environmental values of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands (GBSW).
The Tonkin Highway Grade Separated Interchanges project proposes to widen a 4.2km section of the major freight route from four to six lanes and create a single fly-over at the intersection with Hale Road and grade separated interchange at Welshpool Road. The stretch proposed for upgrade is from south of Roe Highway to 1km north of Kelvin Road.
The EPA report highlights the challenges of continued development on the Swan Coastal Plain, in particular whether the EPA’s environmental factor objectives could continue to be met when cumulative effects on key environmental values were already significant.
EPA Deputy Chair Lee McIntosh said that during the course of the assessment the proponent was encouraged to identify avoidance and mitigation measures in addition to those outlined in the original proposal.
“The proponent responded by amending the proposal three times and ultimately reducing the development envelope by 20 hectares,” Ms McIntosh said. “And the conditions proposed by the EPA will require maintenance of the hydrological regime and water quality of conservation significant wetlands including the GBSW.
“To counterbalance potential impacts, the EPA is also recommending a combined offsets approach which includes land acquisition, threat abatement and restoration, and research into GBSW knowledge gaps and hydrological processes.”
The EPA’s recent public advice on the GSBW’s environmental values and pressures acknowledged that the internationally significant wetland had outstanding biodiversity due to unique geological, geomorphic and hydrological characteristics and needed a high level of protection and coordinated management.
The Tonkin Highway report stresses the need for a regional environmental protection framework that considers cumulative effects and includes provision for strategic restoration and enhancement.
The EPA’s report to the Minister for Environment is now open for a three-week public appeal period, closing 26 August 2024. Appeals should be directed to the Office of the Appeals Convenor. The Minister for Environment will make the final decision on the proposal. EPA Report 1769 can be found on the EPA website.
EPA Media Contact: Jenni.Storey@dwer.wa.gov.au 0434 734 997
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