Bunbury ring road route chosen

The State Government has chosen its preferred route for the southern section of the long-awaited Bunbury Outer Ring Road.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has scrapped an alternative alignment for the bypass road and has decided to stick with the existing road reserve, which has been in the pipelines for decades.

It is hoped a number of changes, including moving the Gelorup connection from Hasties Road to Centenary Road and protecting a big tuart tree in Gelorup, will ease community concern over the project.

The project team has been investigating the two possible corridors for the past year with both options receiving community scrutiny.

The existing road reserve is identified in the Greater Bunbury Region Scheme while the alternative was located east of the original plans.

Ms Saffioti said the BORR team had been working hard with local members and the community and completed “comprehensive” investigations and environmental surveys.

“We acknowledge the uncertainty generated by the investigative process for the southern section alignment in the community over the past year and thank residents for their cooperation and assistance during this time,” Ms Saffioti said.

“While the existing road reserve has been in place for decades and received previous approval, it was necessary to examine a feasible alternative due to the recent elevation in the conservation status of the western ringtail possum to critically endangered.”

Other changes to the project will include the “partial or full” duplication of Bussell Highway and new north facing ramps at the Raymond Road interchange near Meadow Landing.

New signage and landscape aimed at promoting Bunbury as a key destination have also been added to the project, after Bunbury City Council last year raised its concerns over the proposed northern intersection.

The Government is yet to refer the amended plans to the State and Federal environmental regulators.