Anketell Road Upgrade

What's Happening

Expression of Interest milestone

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for the Anketell Road Upgrade – Leath Road to Abercrombie Road.

The Expressions of Interest process will identify experienced consortia to progress to the next stage of procurement for the project, with an Alliance Contract expected to be awarded by late 2027.

Read the media statement here.

Project Reference Design

A Project Reference has been developed as part of the project’s planning and development to identify the upgrades needed to meet current and emerging road user and network requirements.

The design outlines proposed:

Intersection and interchange locations
New local roads and connections
Cycling and pedestrian paths
Access modifications

View the latest plans below:

Stage 1 delivery planning

Planning activities will continue through 2026 to finalise the Project Reference Design and plan Stage 1 of the project, Anketell Road between Leath Road and Abercrombie Road, for construction.

Feedback from recent community pop-up sessions, along with input from landowners and key project stakeholders, will help inform design refinement over the coming months.

Major utility relocations for Stage 1 are scheduled to commence in 2027, with road construction expected to begin in 2028.

For further information about the project’s Stage 1 and Stage 2 scopes, and indicative delivery timeframes, view the latest Project Update newsletter here.

Scope (subject to completion of Reference Design)

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 Cockburn Road 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.

Environment

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, 26^th November 2025 and Tuesday, 23^rd 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

Referral

s156 Variation to Proposal Request

Anketell Road Upgrade - 2024-09841 s156 Variation to Proposal Request

FAQ

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 Publications

Improve

the freight network

Meet

future population needs

Enhance

traffic flows and safety