Kwinana Freeway Upgrade

The community and stakeholders can stay informed throughout the planning and design process with multiple opportunities to provide feedback and engage with the project team.

 

Over June and July, the project team 'popped up' in Cockburn, Kwinana, and Rockingham to share information on the Kwinana Freeway Upgrade project.

 

Thank you to the 220+ community members who dropped by our recent pop-ups to ask questions, discuss the project's scope, and provide feedback and insights.

 

Attendees provided a range of valuable insights regarding how they currently use Kwinana Freeway, their experiences with common congestion 'pinch-points', and planning considerations  

The information gathered at the pop-ups has been shared with the project team and will be considered as planning progresses over the coming months.

We are planning future communication and engagement activities.  

 

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Limiting impacts on the environment is an important consideration for the Project. A range of environmental and technical investigations will be undertaken to understand potential environmental impacts. Environmental and heritage assessments are now underway to inform the approvals process, potential design and refinements and proposed mitigations. 

Ramp signals are activated during periods of high traffic demand. Vehicles queue at the on-ramp and are released in a controlled manner, typically one or two at a time, depending on the specific system settings. The duration of the red and green lights is dynamically adjusted based on real-time traffic conditions, aiming to optimise freeway performance and minimise delays.

What environmental approvals must the project obtain?          

The Kwinana Freeway Upgrade will comply with relevant State and Commonwealth regulatory requirements. Following completion of environmental investigations, the project will be referred to:

Commonwealth: The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

Main Roads referred the project to the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) in August 2025.

Following public comment, DCCEEW has reviewed the referral and determined the proposal to be a “controlled action”. This means the project will require assessment of impacts to Matters of National Environmental Significance in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, before it can proceed.

Additional information will be prepared to support DCCEEW’s assessment. This is expected to be submitted in early 2026.

State: The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER)

Main Roads will obtain a native vegetation clearing permit in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986.

Main Roads will also obtain any additional approvals required to facilitate the project.

What studies and investigations are being undertaken to identify environmental impacts?

A range of environmental and technical investigations will continue to be undertaken to inform the approvals process, design refinements and mitigations.

Investigations include biological assessments (Flora and Fauna) and noise assessments, to understand potential impacts and identify appropriate mitigation strategies.

Additional investigations will be undertaken as design progresses.

Will the community receive an opportunity to provide comment as part of the environmental approvals process? 

Opportunity for public comment on the referral was invited in September 2025 and considered by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) in their determination of the project’s level of assessment.

The community will be provided a further opportunity to comment Q1 2026 on the project proposal as part of DCCEEW’s assessment.

How are noise impacts managed?

We understand that noise mitigation is an important consideration for the community, particularly for residents located adjacent to the freeway.

Noise modelling is being undertaken using the project’s concept design to forecast noise levels in accordance with State Planning Policy 5.4 Road and Rail Noise (SPP5.4). This will inform the design of new (or modified) noise walls.

Once the delivery contract is awarded in 2026, the delivery contractor will review noise levels in accordance with SPP5.4 using the detailed design that will be developed as part of the project.

Landowner consultation will be undertaken in relation to noise treatments.

How is Aboriginal cultural heritage being considered? 

The project team is working with the Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation to ensure heritage values are considered and protected as part of the project’s design refinement. A heritage survey will be undertaken, and Main Roads will obtain any necessary approvals in accordance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.