THE Esperance Port Access Corridor working group met last Wednesday to officially discuss the results of the Esperance Port Corridor Alignment Definition study which was carried out earlier this year.
Main Roads WA manager of road planning Lindsay Broadhurst said the working group – which consists of representatives from the Esperance Shire, Main Roads, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Esperance Port Authority, Westnet Rail, the Public Transport Authority and the Department of Environment and Conservation - received around 100 submission for the public, and that there was a strong public consensus on the favoured plans.
The Harbour Road realignment option most favoured was option 2B, which involves realigning Harbour Road approximately 700 metres west of the port via a bridge over the railway, while relocating a section of the existing railway to the north to provide more space for construction of the realigned road.
A bridge connecting Twilight Beach Road to The Esplanade was favoured over a bridge between Twilight Beach Road and Dempster Street, while a four-way intersection was the preferred option for the Harbour Road/Pink Lake Road intersection.
According to Mr Broadhurst, the options preferred by the public were the same options favoured by the working party which unanimously decided to endorse the plans during the meeting, which took place by teleconference.
“There was a strong consensus from the submissions received from the public regarding the plans,” Mr Broadhurst said.
“Interestingly, the three plans that were favoured by the public were also the plans the working group were in favour of, so we unanimously decided to endorse those plans.
“I think it can make life difficult if there isn’t a consensus between the public and the working group, but in this particular instance everyone seemed to be in favour of the same options which I think is a good sign.”
Mr Broadhurst said the next step in the process would be to present the options to the Esperance Shire Council and the Esperance Port Authority for their endorsement.
“We will be sending the plans to the Esperance Shire within the next couple of days and we’re hoping we can get them presented before the Council in June, and we will also be seeking the endorsement of the Esperance Port Authority.”