Chorus of calls for extension

FEDERAL politicians have joined Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts in calling for a further extension of the Mitchell Freeway.

Just days after the opening of the 6km freeway extension to Hester Avenue in Butler, Moore MHR Ian Goodenough and Pearce MHR Christian Porter said the road had to continue to Romeo Road in Alkimos.

Mr Goodenough told Parliament the recent freeway opening was a boost to the north coastal suburbs but urged Federal funding as there was “more work to be done. Due to the projected residential growth, the next 6km stage of the freeway extension, to Romeo Road in Carabooda, needs to be planned for, designed and constructed in the next term of government.”

Mr Porter called on residents to sign a petition via his website.

“Our northern suburbs continue to grow and we continue to need better road infrastructure to support that growth,” he said.

Speaking at a Wanneroo Business Association event last Wednesday, Mrs Roberts described the lack of commitment towards the project as “a very sore point”.

“We need a commitment… to fund and construct the freeway extension to Romeo Road in Alkimos,” she said.

She said the infrastructure was needed given the City’s growing population, which is expected to increase by 100,000 residents in the next decade and exceed 300,000 by 2030.

Mrs Roberts was pleased with the Connect Wanneroo campaign, which sought funding for the project and rail to Yanchep and garnered $8 billion of commitments, but maintained the Romeo Road extension was still needed.

State Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said earlier this month she agreed with the importance of the project but Federal funding was vital.