Petition to scrap Dongara-Geraldton bypass raised in State Parliament by Nationals

A petition calling for a proposed controversial road bypassing Geraldton to be scrapped was brought to State Parliament this week.

Deputy Opposition leader Shane Love tabled a petition with 1141 signatures before State Parliament, calling for plans for a road to link north and south while bypassing Geraldton to be scrapped, because of the impact it would have on local communities and the environment..

For several years a new corridor for Dongara-Geraldton-Northampton was under consideration and an initial plan was suggested which largely followed the Arthur Road alignment near the Walkaway townsite.

Mr Love presented a petition challenging that plan in 2021, and that plan was replaced by a new proposed route in June this year, which would reduce the number of buildings facing possible demolition from 10 to 4.

Mr Love said this new plan was never put out for public consultation, and was a shock to people who were affected without being properly informed.

The deputy Opposition leader suggested there were cynical reasons for why this was the case.

“I think they’ve done this to minimise the ability to oppose the proposal,” he said.

“This was a completely unexpected final route that they put around Walkaway.”

This new plan was still unacceptable for many in the area who have signed the petition to have the plan scrapped all together.

The petition states the road would cause “irreversible damage to lifestyle” and would have a major impact on farmland and the local environment.

The petition calls for the existing road infrastructure, linking Dongara and Northampton through Geraldton, to remain the key route, with upgrades where necessary.

The petition will now be go to consideration to Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti.

“It’s up to the minister to decide what to do from here, but I think they’re sending a very strong message to her that they have been very poorly treated,” Mr Love said.

Ms Saffioti said the new Dongara-Geraldton-Northampton route was essential, as increasing traffic volumes will make safety and congestion more of a concern in Geraldton.

“We continue to see more and more freight traffic using the coastal routes through the Mid West and at times, one in every five vehicles travelling the Brand Highway is a truck,” she said.

“Delivering a safe and efficient route between Dongara and Northampton, that reduces interaction between communities and removes heavy vehicles from town sites and other populated areas, is critical.”

Ms Saffioti said Main Roads was committed to consulting residents in the affected areas, and would continue to do so until all landowners have had the opportunity to discuss the plan and refine the final road alignment.

Walkaway farmers Tom and Hayley Levett would be affected by the new heavy haulage bypass route and said learning the news came as a “rude shock”.

They found out about it on Facebook,” Mrs Levett said.

She said the new road would affect her family’s income and tranquil lifestyle where they had chosen to raise their three children. The Levetts believe a better idea would have been to widen existing roads.