Garden Island Transport Network Improvement Action Plan

 As part of the AUKUS program, Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-West) will be established at HMAS Stirling which will see the rotational presence of US and UK submarines, from 2027, supported by up to $8 billion in investment for major infrastructure and capability upgrades to support SRF-West. This will drive a significant increase in traffic demand on roads providing access to HMAS Stirling.

This growth in traffic demand, combined with existing congestion issues on the network, requires a coordinated program of transport infrastructure improvements to be delivered in the short to medium term.  

Scope

The Garden Island Transport Network Improvement Action Plan (June 2026) sets out a proposal to upgrade the local transport network in the Cape Peron area of Rockingham to support the expansion of HMAS Stirling on Garden Island, and help manage traffic congestion.

The Action Plan focuses on practical, deliverable transport measures that provide relief for residents and ensure efficient access for Defence operations.

The Action Plan identified nine road and intersection upgrade options across the Garden Island Transport Network, prioritised into two phases.

Phase 1 upgrades are expected to be delivered in the next 3 years and include the intersections of Point Peron Road / Parkin Street / Safety Bay Road, Point Peron Road / Garden Island Causeway, and Point Peron Road / Memorial Drive, together with upgrades to Point Peron Road and Memorial Drive.

Phase 2 will follow Phase 1 and comprises upgrades to Safety Bay Road, Parkin Street and Lease Road, as well as investigating options for Rae Road as a potential heavy vehicle access route to Garden Island.

These upgrades are required to respond to existing constraints on the transport network and support forecast traffic demand growth associated with the AUKUS program alongside growth in traffic demand to Cape Peron Reserve and associated recreational areas.

Delivery

While the timing for delivery of the road network improvements has not yet been determined, project development is scheduled to take place over the next 6-9 months with a recommendation anticipated in the first quarter of 2027.

Main Roads will seek stakeholder and community input to understand local issues and consider these as we plan for the future upgrade / improvement works.

We will work collaboratively with the City of Rockingham and other key stakeholders to progress practical and sustainable transport solutions for the Rockingham Peninsula.

Details of future engagement opportunities such as the Community Pop-up Sessions will be provided on this website as they are confirmed. Residents are encouraged to subscribe to the project updates to receive such digital notifications.

Funding:

The State and the Commonwealth have jointly provided funding for investigations and project development activities.

Funding for delivery will be considered once planning and development is further progressed.

The Government’s current priority is to deliver practical, targeted upgrades to the existing road network to improve access to HMAS Stirling and address current congestion.