Influential members in the south-east metropolitan district met on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the extension of the Tonkin Highway.
Federal Member for Canning Andrew Hastie took Transport and Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester to the intersection of Tonkin Highway and Thomas Road to advocate for federal funding to extend the hghway south to Mundijong Road.
Mr Hastie said he held 28 community meetings this year already and an overwhelming majority of residents told him the extension was a priority.
“Extending the highway would re-route heavy haulage trucks from the Byford and Pinjarra town centre,” he said.
“It would also do away with a number of dangerous intersections between Byford and Mundijong.”
Expected to cost about $364 million Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale president Michelle Rich said once completed the extension would establish the Mundijong to Bullsbrook link which would connect the shire to major industrial centres across the metropolitan area.
“As a shire we have been working closely with state and federal governments to highlight the need for greater investment in transport infrastructure throughout the southern metropolitan region,” she said.
“Through these efforts we are moving closer to securing the funding needed to bring this project online and hope to make further announcements in the near future.”
She said the shire remained a vocal proponent for the extension to Mundijong, considered integral to supporting a vibrant, diverse and interconnected local economy.
She also said it would help create thousands of local jobs, reduce traffic congestion, decrease vehicle emissions and improve the safety of local roads.
Member for Darling Range Barry Urban said he had been working with Transport Minister Rita Saffioti since March to have the project properly costed and designed rather than just having conceptual plans and indicative prices.
Ms Rich, Mr Urban and Shire of Murray president David Bolt all joined Mr Hastie and Mr Chester.
