EPA recommends approval for new section of the Perth Darwin Highway: Report 1569

Release date: 
July 4, 2016

Construction of a new section of the Perth Darwin National Highway has been recommended for strict conditional approval by the Environmental Protection Authority.

The Main Roads WA proposal to build the 38km dual carriageway will connect the intersection of the Tonkin and Reid Highways in Malaga with the Great Northern and Brand Highways in Muchea.

The project includes four traffic lanes in each direction between Tonkin/Reid Highways and Hepburn Avenue and two lanes in each direction in the northern section of the proposal.

EPA Chairman Dr Tom Hatton said the Perth Darwin National Highway proposal was rigorously assessed by the independent board as a Public Environmental Review.

“The EPA’s in-depth examination included a four week public submission period, a site visit in March and careful deliberation of the potential impacts across a range of key environmental factors,” Dr Hatton said.

Dr Hatton said should the Minister for Environment approve the project, the EPA had recommended 16 stringent conditions including:

  • plans to manage potential impacts to flora and vegetation, water quality and noise during construction and operation;
  • measures to minimise impacts on significant fauna including the use of fauna spotters and fauna underpasses as well as ensuring feeding plants for Black Cockatoos are not placed close to the road;
  • an approved management plan for the progressive rehabilitation of cleared vegetation;
  • surveys and a management plan to ensure construction and operation of the proposal does not result in the decline in water quality in the Gnangara Mound; and
  • offsets to counterbalance impacts to significant flora and vegetation including Bush Forever areas, feeding habitat for Black Cockatoos and wetlands.

The EPA’s report to the Minister for Environment is now open for a two-week public appeal period, closing July 18, 2016. Appeals are administered independently by the Appeals Convenor and can be made at www.appealsconvenor.wa.gov.au

The Minister for Environment will determine the appeals and make the final decision.

EPA Report 1569 is available at www.epa.wa.gov.au

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