Anketell Road Upgrade

The Anketell Road Upgrade – Leath Road to Kwinana Freeway will provide a high-quality, safe, and efficient corridor to improve access to the Kwinana Industrial Area and wider Western Trade Coast, including the construction and operation of a future container terminal in Kwinana. The upgrade will also form part of the future Anketell Thomas Road Freight Corridor (ATRFC).

The upgrade plans for:

• A free-flowing, dual carriageway between Kwinana Freeway and Leath Road in Kwinana.
• Grade separation of Rockingham Road and Anketell Road over rail.
• New local roads and existing road modifications, including upgrades at Rockingham Road.
• A Shared Path along Anketell Road.
• Other road infrastructure including, but not limited to, culverts, drainage basins, lighting, fencing, landscaping, road safety barriers, and signage.
• Utility relocations and works to maintain access to properties.

The Anketell Thomas Road Freight Corridor

The Anketell-Thomas Road Freight Corridor (ATRFC) is the long-term plan for a future freight corridor between Tonkin Highway in Oakford and Kwinana.

The ATRFC is a key east-west regional road network link that will:

• Improve accessibility, road safety and address the rising traffic demands caused by population and economic growth.
• Support the development of the Kwinana Industrial Area and Latitude 32 along the Western Trade Coast.
• Support the construction and operation of the planned container terminal in Kwinana. For further details about the planned container port in Kwinana visit Westport.

An early concept for the ATRFC was released in March 2022 and a Planning Control Area (PCA) was implemented in 2023. The PCA is designed to protect and guide future development of the corridor between Tonkin Highway in Oakford and Clementi Road in Mandogalup. Detail and maps of the PCAs can be viewed here. For further information about PCAs please contact the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage via info@dplh.wa.gov.au.

We make every effort to mitigate or minimise the environmental impacts of our activities.

 For more information about our environmental policy, visit our Environment page.

The Anketell Road Upgrade – Leath Road to Kwinana Freeway is subject to assessment through both State and Commonwealth environmental approvals processes. The Environmental Impact Assessment process is expected to take 2-3 years from the point of referral and will include multiple opportunities for public comment.

A range of flora and fauna surveys and technical investigations underpin the project’s Environmental Impact Assessments and will inform potential design refinements and proposed mitigation measures. Main Roads will seek to further minimise and avoid impacts in the next stage of design. Any residual environmental impacts will be offset.

State environmental approvals

Main Roads referred the Anketell Road Upgrade – Leath Road to Kwinana Freeway proposal to the State Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in March 2024. On 2 April 2024, following a public comment period on the level of assessment, the EPA determined that the project would be assessed under Section 38 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) on referral information with additional information and public review. 

In June 2025, Main Roads submitted additional information to the EPA in the form of a revised Referral Supporting Document (RSD) describing the project, the likely impacts on the environment, and the proposed management measures. The RSD was subject to a four-week public review period between 21 July 2025 and Monday, 18 August 2025 and is now being considered by the EPA as part of its formal assessment.

The RSD can be downloaded on the EPA’s website.

Commonwealth environmental approvals

Main Roads also referred the Anketell Road Upgrade – Leath Road to Kwinana Freeway proposal to the Commonwealth environmental regulator, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), in March 2024.

DCCEEW invited public comment on the referral in July 2024. On 22 August 2024, DCCEEW determined the Anketell Road Upgrade – Leath Road to Kwinana Freeway is a ‘Controlled Action’ and will require assessment and approval before it can proceed. The project will be assessed by Preliminary Documentation. Visit the DCEEW Portal here.

Commonwealth environmental assessment public comment period

Following referral of the Anketell Road Upgrade (Leath Road to Kwinana Freeway) proposal in March 2024, the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) determined the proposed action to be a ‘controlled action’ that requires assessment in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

In October 2025, Preliminary Documentation (PD) and additional supporting information was submitted to DCCEEW. The PD has been released for public comment to inform DCCEEW’s assessment.

The public comment period is open between Wednesday, 26^th November 2025 and Tuesday, 23^rd December 2025. Submissions must be emailed to contract231.23wrp-ipt@mainroads.wa.gov.au.

For assistance with accessing the PD or making a submission, contact us on 138 138 or enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au. View the Preliminary Documentation below.

 

 Will access in and out of the Kwinana Industrial Area (KIA) be improved?

Access will be improved through the direct connection from Anketell Road into the KIA and upgraded access from Rockingham Road at Beard Street.

Beard Street is currently a two-lane road and will be widened to four lanes with a significant improvement to the intersection at Rockingham Road.

 Why is Leath Road not grade separated?

It is important we have a free-flowing freight connection to the port area. There are lots of critical supporting functions for future port operations on the western side of Rockingham Road that need to be provided for and are better supported by a roundabout rather than a grade separation.

 Is the Anketell Road upgrade being environmentally assessed?

The Anketell Road Upgrade – Leath Road to Kwinana Freeway has been referred to both the State Environmental Protection Authority (April 2024) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (July 2024) for assessment.

The Environmental Impact Assessment process is anticipated to take 2-3 years from the point of referral and will include multiple opportunities for public comment.

 Project information 

• Anketell Road Upgrade - Ultimate Design - Access and Connectivity Schematic Plan - PDF (1.38 MB)
• Anketell Road Upgrade - Fact Sheet - PDF (2.86 MB)
• Leath Road to Kwinana Freeway- Map - PDF (2.39 MB)
• Anketell Thomas Freight Road Corridor - Map - PDF (1.92 MB)

 Funding 

In planning only, no funding for construction.