Ordinary Meeting of Council 02 March 2016

4.1 NORTHLINK PROJECT ACCESS CHANGES BEECHBORO AND BENNETT SPRINGS

Ward: (Altone Ward) (Asset Management)

Disclosure of Interest: Nil

Authorised Officer: (Executive Manager Operations)

KEY ISSUES

• Due to the construction of the NorthLink project, some residents within the City will lose connectivity to the Reid and Tonkin Highways. This will result in increased travel distances.

• On Benara Road and Beechboro Road North, flyovers are required due to the proximity of these roads to the highway interchanges.

• The City of Swan requested Main Roads Western Australia (MRWA) to carry out information sessions for residents in Beechboro and Bennett Springs to inform them of the proposed access changes in the area.

• Information sessions were carried out on Tuesday 8 and Saturday 12 December 2015. There was some initial concern with the resultant changes to the road connectivity. At these information sessions members of the NorthLink project team explained the reasons for the changes and quantified the travel distance changes.

It is recommended that the Council note the community consultation undertaken regarding the changes to the road network around Beechboro and Bennett Springs as shown the attached plan.

BACKGROUND

Main Roads Western Australia (MRWA) is in the process of implementing the NorthLink project. The project will include a new high speed highway to highway interchange at the intersection of Reid Highway and Tonkin Highway. It is proposed that the roads currently connecting to either Tonkin Highway or Reid Highway in close proximity to this interchange will need to be flyovers with no connectivity to the highways. This will impact on Beechboro Road North and Benara Road. This will cause residents in the areas of Beechboro and Bennett Springs to have to use alternative routes to access the highways which will result in further travel distances. As a result of this the City of Swan requested MRWA carry out some consultation to inform residents that may be affected by these changes.

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DETAILS

MRWA personally addressed and posted approximately 3000 letters to affected land owners and residents advertising the proposed changes and inviting them to two possible ‘drop in’ sessions to review the designs and seek clarification about the proposed changes in the area. These information sessions were also open to residents of the City of Bayswater, some of whom are impacted by the changes. The NorthLink team provided verbal answers to the feedback received at the drop in session and encouraged the residents to complete feedback sheets to comment on the access changes.

Thirty feedback sheets were received as a result of these sessions. A number of these sheets did not include any comments other than a request to be kept informed of progress on the project by adding their name to the mailing list for project updates. The main areas of concern were the connectivity to the Tonkin and Reid Highways, traffic impacts for local roads and noise/visual impacts.

The connectivity to Tonkin and Reid Highways was the most common cause for concern. MRWA provided journey distance information at three key locations comparing distances now and with the NorthLink project. MRWA explained that due to the proximity of the interchange of Reid and Tonkin Highways to the other roads that full connectivity was not possible due to unsafe merging/acceleration/deceleration lengths. MRWA also explained that the project will reduce the regional traffic from the local roads thus reducing congestion and also travel times.

Concern was expressed at the impact for local roads resulting from access changes to Tonkin and Reid Highways. The local roads and intersections raised as a concern include Beechboro Road North, Altone Road, Marshall Road, the intersection of Beechboro Road North and Morley Drive East and the intersection of Altone Road and Reid Highway. MRWA explained the existing and future traffic volumes in the project area and majority of residents understood the benefits of NorthLink WA and that it will take regional traffic from local roads to the free flowing highways. Respondents were also advised that after completion of the works the local road network (including Beechboro Road North and Altone Road) will be monitored. Traffic counts, safety assessments and network performance will be key considerations to identify locations where changes to the local road network may be required.

Some residents had queries on the approach to managing the noise and visual impacts of the project. Queries were received from residents of Redwood Court, Salmon Gum Grove and Parella Court. Respondents were advised that projects such as the NorthLink WA initiative are subject to environmental regulations that cover many matters including the management of noise and visual impacts. The existing Reid Highway / Tonkin Highway intersection will be replaced by a significant interchange that allows for free flowing movements between both highways. A preliminary noise assessment has identified that noise walls are likely to be required in the area. In addition to mitigating noise impacts the walls will also provide a visual screen to and from the highway. A visual assessment will also be completed in the future to ensure that vehicles using the highway aren’t able to see into adjoining residential lots for privacy reasons.

MRWA advised City staff that residents attending the workshop were generally accepting of the feedback provided, although some concerns remain amongst some residents.

CONSULTATION

MRWA have undertaken consultation as outlined in Beechboro and Bennett Springs Drop-In Sessions Feedback Summary

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ATTACHMENTS

Plan of Changes to Road Alignment

Beechboro and Bennett Springs Drop-In Sessions Feedback Summary

Summary of Feedback Sheet Submissions

STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS

The NorthLink is a major infrastructure project that will facilitate improved transport connectivity and economic development in accordance with the City’s Strategic Community Plan

STATUTORY IMPLICATIONS

Section 3 of the Local Government Act 1995 requires affected land owners to be notified of any change in level, or the alignment of, a public thoroughfare. MRWA have carried out the required consultation on behalf of the City.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

All costs in the matter are to be borne by MRWA

VOTING REQUIREMENTS

Simple majority

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RECOMMENDATION

That the Council resolve to:

1) Note the community consultation undertaken by Main Roads Western Australia as requested by the City in relation to the changes to the road network around Beechboro and Bennett Springs as shown in the attached plan.

2) Advise Main Roads Western Australia accordingly. CARRIED

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4.1 NorthLink project access changes Beechboro and Bennett Springs