House of Assembly: Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Contents

Womma Road Intersection

Mr GEE (Taylor) (14:57): Again, my question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Will the minister ensure that funds are provided to install a roundabout at the intersection of Womma and Stebonheath roads in Penfield in light of the long history of serious accidents?

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning) (14:57): Again, this is an intersection that has an infrastructure deed that sits over the top of it, with AVJennings, who are the people delivering the residential development around that area. Without pre-empting final discussions and negotiations, can I say that that is a particular intersection that we believe needs some short-term scrutiny because of the massive investment that Drakes Supermarkets is making in that area to move their distribution centre out there.

As a government, we are willing to support growth and new jobs in our economy, and the massive investment by Drakes into what is a world-class distribution centre is something that should be supported. It will also create a step change in traffic movements, especially for heavy vehicles into that area. We are actively working on that. I would love to be able to provide more detail, but I will hold back at this stage lest I reveal any commercial-in-confidence negotiations going on at the moment. But it is fair to say, member, from my language, that we are keen to get a solution delivered as soon as possible. I am extremely hopeful that that will be delivered very soon.