Petition updateNo Outer Harbour: Build Roe 8, 9 & 10. It's Great For Our State!Approximately $45 million invested in the Roe 8 project to specifically accommodate the environment.
Andy LFremantle, Australia
Mar 29, 2017 — https://project.mainroads.wa.gov.au/roe8/benefits/Pages/Environment.aspx ​Environment MYTH: Roe 8 will have a major impact upon Beeliar Wetlands FACT: Roe 8 impacts 97.8 ha of native vegetation. This figure is made up of 79 ha of remnant vegetation and 18.8 ha of revegetation within a 167 ha development envelope. Roe 8 impacts on 2.47 per cent of the immediate wetlands (Bibra Lake, North Lane, Roe Swamp, Horse Paddock Swamp and Melaleuca Swamp), which spans 275.1 ha; or 0.6 per cent of the eastern chain of Beeliar Wetlands, which spans 1135.2 ha; or 0.49 per cent of the entire Beeliar Wetlands, which spans 1398.2 ha. We have consulted Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) regarding the identification and acquisition of offsets for Roe 8. MYTH: The project is not sensitive to the local environment FACT: Impacts upon surrounding habitat will be carefully mitigated through the design and construction phase of Roe 8: 1. Design To lessen the impacts of Roe 8 on Beeliar Wetlands, the preferred concept design will include the following measures: A wetlands restoration program, which will be undertaken at North Lake and Horse Paddock Swamp to improve the natural environment.​ Wetland Bridges in required locations (a 120 metre long bridge over Roe Swamp and a 70 metre long bridge over Horse Paddock Swamp), which will maintain ecological connections for local fauna. A top-down construction approach to be employed at Roe Swamp Bridge, which will minimise the clearing footprint and compaction during construction. Noise walls installed at specific locations along the route, which will reduce traffic noise and visual impacts on residents. Fauna underpasses through the alignment to maintain fauna connectivity and the development of a series of plans to manage and monitor fauna and flora, wetland health and water drainage. Construction on land already partly cleared for overhead power lines in order to minimise the environmental footprint. 2. Construction The stretch of wetlands will be protected during construction, with clearing boundaries marked to prevent movement of vehicles outside of the project footprint. There will be no side tracks during construction and all work will occur within the final road footprint. Approximately $45 million has been invested in the Roe 8 project to specifically accommodate the environmental sensitivities and to provide improved access to the area. These costs are associated with: planned bridges at Roe Swamp and Horse Paddock Swamp; retaining walls to reduce the project footprint; offset land; power line realignment to utilise already cleared land; rehabilitation of degraded areas; and additional pedestrian and cycling underpasses, paths and boardwalks. Furthermore, part of the mitigation management will also include trapping and tagging southern brown bandicoots living in the area and relocating them to other areas. These bandicoots may be returned to Beeliar Regional Park once the project is completed. MYTH: Roe 8 will have detrimental impacts on air quality FACT: By avoiding seven sets of traffic lights currently on the Leach Highway route between Kwinana Freeway and Stock Road, Roe 8 will enable free-flowing traffic and reduce the stop-start conditions currently experienced. All road users stand to benefit from this efficient road environment with notable reductions in their fuel usage. An air quality assessment was conducted using an internationally accepted air dispersion model that considered construction impacts and heavy vehicle use on Roe 8 up until 2031. The model predicted that heavy vehicle exhaust emissions would be well below background levels already present in the local atmosphere and below the National Environmental Protection Measure (NEPM) ambient air quality criteria. MYTH: Roe 8 will desecrate significant Aboriginal sacred and mythological sites in Beeliar Wetlands FACT: We recognise the value and importance of Aboriginal heritage sites and the natural environment around Roe 8 and Beeliar Wetlands. We will protect and fully respect these sites. Section 18 consent was granted in July 2015 for Roe 8. This was based on a detailed heritage survey conducted with Traditional Owners between 2010 and 2012. Heritage surveys were carried out during the South Metro Connect project planning phase. We worked closely with Australian Cultural Heritage Management, an independent, qualified Aboriginal heritage consultancy. The project team also consulted with Traditional Owners identified by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs (DAA). The results of the Aboriginal heritage survey have positively influenced Roe 8's preferred concept design and construction. Key heritage and environmental measures informed by the process include: Construction of a bridge over a section of Horse Paddock Swamp to minimise impact on mythological values and to maintain ecological and hydrological links at Beeliar wetlands; Employing qualified Aboriginal heritage experts during the construction phase of Roe Highway extension to ensure that heritage features are represented; Project areas to feature plaques and artwork that commemorate the area's heritage values and the traditional owners and their campsites; Wherever possible, sections of the Roe Highway extension will be re-vegetated with native species. We have strictly followed all required and relevant statutory policies, guidelines and processes when developing and submitting our Section 18 notice for the Roe 8 project. We will continue to engage with the Aboriginal communities throughout the Roe 8 project. ​ Last Updated: 18 January 2017
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