Roe May Still Bring Woe

In response to the revelation today that the Minister for Transport wishes to go ahead with the discredited Roe 8 highway extension through the Beeliar Wetlands, Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren called on the Transport Minister to come clean on the Budget.

“The Transport Minister continues his unfounded fascination with this tiny section of road which does nothing to alleviate our traffic woes. Indeed, Mr Buswell should demonstrate where the funds will be taken from, in view of the fact that nothing is set aside in the State Budget over the next four years for this Roe 8 extension.

“Good government responds to community concerns. The State Government has already spent $20 million on a carefully scripted “consultation” and planning for this road cutting through wetlands. At the same time, South Metropolitan residents have worked on their own initiative, pointing out the loss Roe 8 would bring to the ecological values they treasure.

“There are precious little wetlands remaining of our coastal plain. Residents made this clear, and on Budget day it appeared that the government accepted the fate of Roe 8. This is Monday morning’s wake-up call to the community: the Government hasn’t listened to you on protecting urban bushland.

“The EPA’s advice is expected in June this year. Will the Minister then reveal a secret stash to pay for this white elephant?”

“I commend the Environment Minister’s support over the weekend for a program of tracking rehabilitated Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos. These rare cockatoos are at home in the Beeliar wetlands, where Roe 8 would run. Prevention is better than cure – simply stop the road and reduce the threat to this endangered species.

“What’s needed is for the various heads of government to be talking to each other. While Bill Marmion is concerned for Carnaby’s cockatoos, a clear step in the plan to protect them is not to run a four-lane highway through their home. Bill Marmion and Troy Buswell should be talking to each other.”