Murray to vote on Pinjarra bypass in October council elections

The Shire of Murray resolved to allocate $5000 towards their election budget to undertake a referendum on the matter, a necessary step before a business case and feasibility study is presented to the state government.

The proposed bypass would provide an alternative route for heavy vehicles travelling through Pinjarra in a bid to reduce congestion and improve safety on the primary access to the town.

“The major conflict within the main street of Pinjarra are heavy vehicles that negate a safe environment for pedestrians and access to the shopping centre,” Shire of Murray chief Dean Unsworth wrote in a report.

“The number and frequency of the heavy vehicles also impacts the vibrancy, amenity and tourism potential that would benefit from a low vehicle speed, pedestrian safe environment.”

Discussions about the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation started almost 20 years ago, with heavy traffic hitting alarming figures in 2009.

The opening of the Kwinana Freeway extension and Forrest Highway relieved some pressure off Pinjarra’s main street access, however heavy vehicle numbers have skyrocketed again, hitting figures higher than those in 2009.

The proposed deviation would link South Western Highway further north towards North Pinjarra and align to the future extension of the Tonkin Highway, included in the Perth and Peel @3.5 million plan.

Mr Unsworth said the need for the project appeared to be growing within the community, with the Murray Business District Group and Main Roads WA already expressing their support.

The referendum will include a yes or no question, an overview of the bypass project and balanced reasoning for both the yes and the no.

The information will be included in the council election ballot papers by the electoral commission, and the votes will also be counted on the night of the election.

“The upcoming local government election presents council with an opportunity to use that process to seek community feedback on the proposed Pinjarra Heavy Vehicle Haulage Deviation,” Mr Unsworth said.

“The referendum is a cost-effective way to understand the community’s desire for the project.

“If the referendum shows strong support, then increased lobbying to the state and Commonwealth agencies will commence.”

The Shire has also allocated $10,000 towards advertising and promotion of the referendum and to undertake public consultation through townsite meetings.