Citizens' jury formed to judge on road dispute

30/7/01
A citizens' jury of 12 randomly-selected Carine residents sat at the weekend to hear the views of groups lobbying for or against the closure of a controversial northern suburbs intersection.
Following almost a decade of conflict over the Reid Highway in Carine, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan called together the State's first planning-focused citizens' jury to decide the fate of the Everingham St intersection.
"The State Government wants to see a good quality outcome and to ensure the community plays a real role in decision-making," Ms MacTiernan said.
Everingham St is situated on a corner of the Reid Highway in Carine and was the subject of a trial closure in 1998. After strenuous public protest, the City of Stirling cut the trial and has since supported moves to fully open the street.
The council's stance is supported by many local residents, in particular some parents of children at Carine Senior High School, which is located in Everingham St. Closure of the street forced these parents to detour significantly when delivering their children to school.
However, many other parties say heavy traffic flow from the highway is endangering the lives of children attending the school and proximity to the highway is turning the quiet street into a major thoroughfare.
It is the first time Western Australia has convened a citizens' jury to address a transport planning issue.
The citizens' jury system is used widely in the United Kingdom.
On July 4, the Minister's office wrote to 250 local residents requesting expressions of interest to sit on the jury. Their names had been selected at random by the WA Electoral Commission.
A total of 40 applications were received and the 12 jurors were selected according to their address. The Minister's office appointed 12 jurors whose homes were scattered throughout the suburbs of Carine and Karrinyup.
Ms MacTiernan brought the 12 jurors together for the first time on Wednesday night to explain what was expected of them.
"I want you to come with an open mind and in the spirit of ensuring that whatever is resolved will be in the interest of the whole community," she said.
The Minister asked that the jury not be constrained by the options already put forward but devise variations if they felt it was in the community interest.
Ms MacTiernan gave the jury reports from Stirling City Council, Main Roads WA and an extensive analysis of the community submissions which had been prepared by an independent consultant.
The jury will meet at a closed forum at AQWA, Hillarys, on Saturday. Among those addressing the jury will be the two main action groups - the West Carine Residents Group and the Karrinyup Traffic Management Group - and Stirling City Council representative Councillor Peter Rose.
The Minister will examine the jury's recommendations and, as always, will take final responsibility for the decision.
The jury will report its recommendations to Ms MacTiernan next week.
Media contact: Keri Welham 9213 6400