What's Happening
Construction funding announcement for Stage 1
Construction funding has been announced for the first stage of upgrading Anketell Road between Leath Road and Abercombie Road, see here the media statement.
This first stage of construction will see Anketell Road upgraded to a dual carriageway between Abercrombie Road and Rockingham Road, a new grade separated interchange provided at Rockingham Road, and Anketell Road extended to Leath Road to provide access to the Westport precinct. Provision will be made for a future freight rail corridor to connect to a new on dock rail terminal.
There will also be significant upgrades of the Rockingham Road intersection with Beard Street together with modifications to existing roads and accesses, as well as new shared paths.
Major utility relocations are required which are scheduled to commence in 2027, with road construction expected to begin in 2028.
Project Concept Design
A Project Reference Design is being developed in 2026 to identify the upgrades needed to meet current and emerging road user and network requirements, aligned to the long-term ultimate vision for the corridor.
To learn more about the project’s Planning and Project Development phase, and future milestones, view our planning and project development overview and lifecycle diagram.
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).
Stage 1 – Anketell Road between Leath Road and Abercombie Road
- Major utility relocations and protection measures
- Extend Anketell Road to connect directly to Leath Road and the Westport precinct.
- Upgrade Anketell Road to a dual carriageway (two lanes east and two lanes west) between Leath Road and Abercrombie Road.
- Grade-separated interchange at Rockingham Road.
- At grade intersection upgrade at Abercrombie Road
- Upgrade Rockingham Road from Link Road/Frederic Street to south of Anketell Road including upgraded connection to Beard Street.
- Local road modifications, including revised access arrangements for Perth Motorplex and the Latitude 32 Flinders Precinct.
- Shared pedestrian/cycle path infrastructure.
Stage 2 – Anketell Road between Abercombie Road and Kwinana Freeway:
- Upgrade Anketell Road to a dual carriageway between Abercombie Road and Kwinana Freeway.
- Upgrade to existing interchange at Kwinana Freeway.
- Local road intersection upgrades and modifications.
- Shared pedestrian/cycle path infrastructure.
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 Industrial Area / Westport.
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 was released for public comment to inform DCCEEW’s assessment.
The public comment period has now closed. It was open between Wednesday, 26th November 2025 and Tuesday, 23rd December 2025.
For assistance with accessing the PD, contact us on 138 138 or enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au. View the Preliminary Documentation below.
Preliminary Documentation
- Anketell Road Upgrade - Preliminary Documentation
- Attachment 1 - Consolidated Biological Report
- Attachment 2 - Assessment of FCT26a Threatened Ecological
- Attachment 3 - Anketell Road Upgrade Technical Memo Communities of Organic Mounds TEC
- Attachment 4 - Anketell Road characterisation and assessment of impacts on GDEs and groundwater users
- Attachment 5 - Black Cockatoo Foraging Habitat Quality
- Attachment 6 - Black cockatoos nesting value tree survey
- Attachment 7 - Anketell Road Upgrade Targeted Chuditch Survey
- Attachment 8 - Leioproctus douglasiellus and Neopasiphae simlicior Targeted Survey
- Attachment 9 - Phytophthora Dieback Occurrence Report for Anketell Road
- Attachment 10 - Anketell Road Upgrade EPBC Offset Strategy
s156 Variation to Proposal Request
Why is only the section between Leath Road and Abercrombie Road being funded for construction at this time?
This section is needed first to support Westport’s construction, improve access to the Kwinana Industrial Area and reduce congestion on this section of Rockingham Road.
When will Anketell Road be upgraded between Abercrombie Road and the Kwinana Freeway?
The upgrade of Anketell Road between Abercrombie Road and Kwinana Freeway remains a key transport priority. The next stage of works east of Abercrombie Road is in planning and development and will be delivered, in line with Westport and wider Western Trade Coast development and delivery sequencing.
Are any changes planned for other local roads in the area?
Yes, new local roads and existing road modifications are planned. Consultation with local landowners and businesses, the City of Kwinana, and Perth Motorplex is already underway to inform the project reference design, and will continue as the project is made ready for delivery.
How will this improve local congestion and safety?
By creating a safer, more efficient freight route and delivering a grade-separated interchange at Rockingham Road, the Anketell Road Upgrade will improve safety and reliability and reduce conflict points on the network.
What does this mean for WA’s trade and supply chains?
The Anketell Road Upgrade will strengthen access to the Western Trade Coast’s key industrial and logistics areas, supporting efficient freight movements and long-term economic activity.
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 subject to environmental assessment?
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 be completed in 2027. It has included opportunities for public comment both at referral and as part of the environmental assessment.
Project information
Project Map:
- Proposed Construction Staging - PDF (758 KB)
- Leath Road to Kwinana Freeway - PDF (2.39 MB)
Ultimate Planning:
- Anketell Road Upgrade - Ultimate Design - Access and Connectivity Schematic Plan - PDF (1.38 MB)
- Anketell Thomas Freight Road Corridor - Map - PDF (1.92 MB)
- Anketell Road Upgrade - Fact Sheet - PDF (2.86 MB)
Media Statements
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Joint media statement - Delivering $1.1 billion to strengthen supply chains and boost productivity in Western Australia - 29 April 2026
Funding
Stage 1 funded for construction.
Planning and project development funding allocated for Stage 2.
Planning refinement to be undertaken for Anketell Road east of Kwinana Freeway.
the freight network
future population needs
traffic flows and safety