Public consultation to start on Perth Darwin National Highway in Bindoon

Planning Minister John Day today announced a planning study for the future Perth Darwin National Highway alignment around the Bindoon townsite.

Local communities, land owners and business people would be invited to comment on possible options.

Consultation by Main Roads, on behalf of Department for Planning and Infrastructure, would run from May 11 to June 5.

"The consultation is an integral part of the planning study to define the alignment and reservation for the future highway between Bullsbrook and Calingiri Road, north of Bindoon," Mr Day said. 

Planning for the southern section between Bullsbrook and Muchea was established but further investigation was required for the northern section between Muchea and Bindoon.

Following review and consultation during 2004 and in late 2006, the Western Australian Planning Commission decided that upgrading the existing Great Northern Highway (GNH) be investigated in more detail, including a possible bypass of Bindoon.

The Minister said this work was the initial planning for the route. 

"This will protect the road alignment by including it in the statutory local planning scheme.  It will give land owners greater certainty," he said.

There was no funding or timetable to build the road but Main Roads WA had undertaken this work, and consulted with a Community Reference Group (CRG) since February 2009 to assess several options for a bypass.

"The group has suggested options and participated in assessing the route options for the possible future highway deviation around the Bindoon townsite," Mr Day said.

The CRG included representatives from the Shire of Chittering (councillors and staff); Bullsbrook and Chittering Chamber of Commerce; Bindoon and eastern Bindoon residents; Safe Roads Committee; Bindoon Progress Association; and Main Roads Wheatbelt North Region.

Two options being presented for consultation were:

·             Option 1: Chinkabee Hill East: involves deviating Great Northern Highway south of the townsite to the east of Chinkabee Hill, rejoining the highway north of Settlement Road

·             Option 2: Chinkabee Hill West: involves deviating GNH south of the golf course, along the eastern townsite boundary, rejoining GNH north of Settlement Road.

Local residents would receive a brochure containing a comment sheet, being distributed through Australia Post from May 11 to all properties and businesses in the Bindoon area.

Main Roads intend having a public display in May during the consultation period. Details of the date and location would be provided in the brochure.

The brochure would also be available on the Main Roads website by May 11 at http://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au (follow the projects link to regional projects).

All interested and affected parties are strongly encouraged to participate in the consultation process.