Save the Beeliar Wetlands
It's Not Too Late to Stop ROE 8!
Roe8 Highway will cut through the Beeliar Wetlands between Bibra Lake and North Lake consuming 112 hectares of fauna habitat. This includes 1 hectare of Bibra Lake, 10 hectares of wetland and 79 hectares of native vegetation.
HABITAT LOSS
Bibra Lake is a rare freshwater refuge for wildlife during our dry summers, usually having permanent open water. The Wetlands are home to 37 species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians; 220 species of birds, 24 of which are uncommon, and 430 species of plants.
Wedge-tailed eagles, kites, osprey, goshawks, 9 species of ducks, egret, kestrels, kingfishers, rainbow bee eaters, thornbills, fairy wrens, possums, bats, tortoises, frogs, lizards, and many more species have been identified in the wetland. There are four priority conservation species – Quenda, the Graceful Sun Moth, Forest Red Tailed Cockatoos and the endangered Carnaby’s Cockatoos. The black Carnaby’s are particularly threatened by Roe8. Clearing of foraging and nesting areas is the main reason they are at risk of extinction (more)
Fragmentation of the wetland will affect ecological linkages. Goannas, snakes, bobtails, quendas, flightless ducklings and small birds such as fairy wrens are particularly dependent on ecological linkages. Wildlife will not always use culverts under roads where they are exposed and vulnerable to predators
Roe8 risks contaminating the wetland by disturbing acid sulphate soils and depositing car pollutants into the environment (more)
THE COST
Roe8 will cost $700 million - the most expensive road per kilometre ever built in WA. Compare this to the Perth to Mandurah Rail line with 72km of dual electrified track and 11 stations which cost just $960 million in 2007. For about the same price as Roe8 we could build 43km of light rail linking Fremantle, Canning Bridge, Murdoch, and Cockburn. Or we could build the new stadium at Burswood.
ALTERNATIVES
Heavy freight could be moved more efficiently if existing roads and the port rail link were upgraded. Trucks could be made more efficient. Many are travelling empty because they move loads only one way.
If public transport is provided people have shown they will use it. The northern rail line and the Mandurah line have been hugely successful in moving commuters off the roads.
Main Roads recognise this …“congestion is not something that can be cured with extra roads….creating extra capacity usually leads to more demand.” Craig Wooldridge, Manager of Traffic Operations, Main Roads
The Transport Minister has said that if the environmental review (PER) finds the road is environmentally unacceptable then it will not be built. Stop Roe8 by using the link to make a submission to the epa at:
http://ccwa.org.au/content/stop-roe-highway-and-save-beeliar-wetlands
Add your own opinions as well to give your submission added weight.
Share your thoughts...
- Ray Robertson
12 - 09 - 2011 I am an active volunteer with both the Friends of Northlake group and the Cockburn Conservation and Education centre and have grave concerns for what damage this road will do to these important wetlands. A major concern in recent years is the water levels and quality of water in both Bibra Lake and particularly North lake and there is no doubt that there will be a dramatic worsening of these trends if the constuction goes ahead.
More than enviromental concerns, the folly of any attempt to overcome the transport problems to and from the port should be looked at in the broader context. A short term solution is improving rail transport but ultimately the industrial and commercial activities should be moved out to Kwinana and the port precint turned into a water front residential and entertainment complex such as has been done in many other parts of the world such as Fishermans Wharf San Fransisco, Clark Quay Singapore, Circle Quay Sydney, Victoria Harbour Cape town, and many more
- Michelle Vaughan
12 - 09 - 2011 I believe rail is the way to go, it is far less expensive, and the wetlands far to important to our fragile environment, our unique flora and fauna needs to be protected, for future generations to enjoy. I have picked up turtles trying to cross double lanes on North Lake Road to lay their eggs, roads should not be built around wetlands never mind highways.
I ask the powers that be NOT to build Roe 8 through or around the Beelier wetlands leave it alone.
- Joan Larking
11 - 09 - 2011 For over 20 years I worked in bush regeneration, many of these years with Joan Bradley who first realized the need to preserve our native bushland.
I am saddened and concerned to hear of the major disturbances of your wetlands. As you well know our plant, mammal & bird life require the rare wetland for their continuation and the need of the corridor which still exists.
Could I strongly request that you reconsider your proposal for major works.
As a Sydneysider I know only too well the horror of major roads which does nothing to assist commuters and truck movement. It would appear that some form of rail movement would be less damaging to the environment and more cost effective.
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