Proposals to improve Stirling Highway released

The State Government has released for public comment an amendment to the Metropolitan Region Scheme to facilitate the improvement of Stirling Highway over the next 20 years.

  • Stirling Highway to remain two lanes each way with improvements
  • Opportunity for public to consider and comment on planning
  • Process will help provide clarity and certainty for highway landowners

The State Government has released for public comment an amendment to the Metropolitan Region Scheme to facilitate the improvement of Stirling Highway over the next 20 years.


Planning Minister John Day said, while Stirling Highway's configuration would remain two lanes each way, the amendment proposed some adjustment to the current road reservation which would help better meet local traffic needs and cater for users of the road into the future.


"Stirling Highway is an integral part of Perth's road network for local residents and the thousands of motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users that travel along it each day," he said.


"This amendment is an opportunity for the public to consider and comment on transport planning and the long term design of Stirling Highway, the historical link between Perth and Fremantle.


"It will allow for improved road safety focusing on pedestrian, cyclist and public transport amenity and provide consistent planning guidance across seven local councils for the next two decades."


The Minister said this process would help to provide clarity and certainty for landowners along the highway, many of whom have been significantly affected by the reservation since 1963.


"Proper planning for improvements along Stirling Highway has long been needed and it is crucial that the State Government provides this certainty as Perth grows," he said.


"Put simply, we have arrived at a situation in which the reserve as currently applied is too wide in some locations while not wide enough in others.


"The amendment identifies more than 25 hectares of private land that is surplus to highway requirements, which is currently included in the road reservation, and the amendment proposes to rezone the land to remove restrictions on future development.


"There are, however, certain areas where increases or minor variations to the current reserve are proposed - affected landowners will be contacted individually and these adjustments will be subject to extensive public consultation.


"Without agreement on a future plan for Stirling Highway, it will not be possible to co-ordinate improvements that are vital to its continued safe use as Perth grows during the next 20 years."


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Minister's office - 6552 6200