In previous updates, we wrote about small victories in the fight to save the scenic and ecological value of the Toodyay road. Over the last year, we have been trying to negotiate changes to the design of the upgrades with Main Roads WA to preserve the scenic value while improving safety. MRWA closed all public consultations a couple of weeks ago and released an update on the project that outlined their plans and negotiations with the community. The major parts of the project will start in January next year at the Salt Valley/Sandplain section.
We would like to feel as enthusiastic as MRWA about the significance of all of these so-called enhancements since they were largely achieved through the activities of the SASTR Campaign. Although we are grateful that some design concessions have been allowed, the magnitude of these changes is dwarfed by the clearing and environmental destruction that will still occur. The intersection of Sandplain and Salt Valley Road, for example still remains a concern.
Let's break this particular statement down:
"A substantial reduction of the project footprint at the Sandplain / Salt Valley Road intersection. This will enable a significant amount of established vegetation to be retained, including several mature wandoo trees and 85 cockatoo breeding trees."
The majority of the trees are Powderbark Wandoos, not Wandoos. Originally there were 188 cockatoo breeding trees, including the 420-year-old tree now to be saved. Therefore, 103 mature trees in total will be lost in this area, including the massive Powderbark-wandoo pictured which was recently discovered (and yet to be officially aged).
In a December 2021 meeting, we were told the height would be reduced to 4 metres (originally 12m) and the width would be reduced to 50 metres from 90 metres. MRWA has not yet confirmed the width measurement, but we have been informed that the height of the cutting has been reduced to 6 metres. Moreover, only 2.59 hectares of 22.18ha hectares clearing in this area will be saved, which is very disappointing. We are also told that the reduction in quantity is an estimate only and may vary slightly to facilitate the construction.
In the update, MRWA lists all its measures to compensate for all the damage to the environment. MRWA appears to be living up to its much-stated green credentials, thereby allowing vegetation clearance for roads to proceed without concern.
However, none of these measures can adequately compensate for the loss of mature vegetation along Toodyay Road that contributes to its scenic and environmental value. And certainly not the type of vegetation that exists in a reserve 20 km away in Clackline, where the offset vegetation will be planted, in the shire of Northam no less.
As we continue to fight this, we will present our handwritten petition to the legislative council as soon as possible. In the meantime, please sign our online petition if you haven't already and spread the word. The state and federal governments need to reign in projects like this quickly, considering the dire state of the environment (backed up by the recent State of the Environment report).