A bridge and road across the Preston River have been recommended for environmental approval after extensive mitigation measures were encouraged by Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) during the assessment.
The Turkey Point Access Road and Bridge project includes a new dual-used path, bridge and a road from Estuary Drive to Turkey Point in the City of Bunbury. The Southern Ports Authority proposal aims to minimise interaction between port and public traffic.
EPA Chair Professor Matthew Tonts said that in response to suggestions early in the assessment, the proponent made significant amendments to reduce the development’s environmental impact.
“The road was realigned to be closer to the existing rail bridge, which reduced the extent of the vegetative clearing and avoided fragmentation of the ecologically-significant coastal saltmarsh,” he said. “This change also reduced impacts to black cockatoo foraging habitat and removed the loss of potential breeding trees for black cockatoos.”
Professor Tonts said the key issues raised during the public comment period related to habitat loss and impacts to the saltmarsh, so the EPA requested the proponent undertake targeted consultation with those who made submissions. Matters raised during this additional stakeholder consultation were considered by the EPA during the assessment.
In its report to the Minister for Environment the EPA also noted the bridge structure in the river, located where the Preston River flows into Leschenault Estuary, would be limited to two piers.
EPA Report 1719 is now open for a three-week public appeal period, closing 22 February 2022. Appeals should be directed to the Office of the Appeals Convenor.
The Minister for Environment will make the final decision on the proposal.
EPA Media Contact: Jenni Storey on 0434 734 997
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