Roe 8 threat to Bibra Lake confirmed

5/2/03
Environmental Protection Authority advice supports the State Government's view that obtaining approvals for Roe Highway Stage 8 would be virtually impossible according to Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan.
Ms MacTiernan said the report (no 1088) had underlined the importance of the Beeliar Wetlands (Bibra and North Lakes) to conservation, Aboriginal heritage, recreation and education, by recommending that the road reserve be removed and the area incorporated into the Beeliar Regional Park.
"Roe 8 would bisect these important wetlands and the report makes it clear that this would reduce their environmental value and make long-term management difficult," she said.
"Constructing the highway would involve major clearing and this would remove fauna habitat and breeding areas.
"Dividing the lake system in two poses a serious threat to the viability of the lake's fauna populations and plant species.
"The EPA concluded that it would be extremely difficult for any proposal to construct the highway through the Beeliar Regional Park to be environmentally acceptable.
"It says every effort should be made to avoid this.
"This advice from the EPA only confirms what we have been saying all along, that no government was ever going to be able to build Roe Highway Stage 8 through the wetlands.
"The conservation values of this area are too important to the community.
"This had already been recognised through inclusion of the area as a Bush Forever site under the previous government, as well as its inclusion as an A class reserve in the National Trust's list of Classified Heritage places.
"Of course, without Roe Highway Stage 8, the Fremantle Eastern Bypass would make no sense at all.
"The report reinforces the need for the Labor Government's six step approach to sustainably managing freight traffic in Perth's southern suburbs, which includes moving more containers on to rail, using our roads more efficiently and developing Fremantle Port's outer harbour."
Minister's office: 9213 6400