Kwinana Freeway Upgrade

The project team will work with residents, businesses, road users, local governments and other stakeholders as the design progresses.

Information will be provided through letters and publications in letter boxes, emails to project subscribers, community information sessions, social media, website updates, stakeholder working groups and online surveys.

There will be opportunities throughout the project to ask questions, provide feedback and learn more about the design, upcoming works, expected impacts and mitigation measures.

 

Baseline noise monitoring will be undertaken to help inform the design process and assess potential future impacts.

Road traffic noise is assessed and managed in accordance with State Planning Policy 5.4 – Road and Rail Noise, which provides a framework for identifying practical and reasonable noise mitigation measures where required.

Where private properties are proposed as monitoring locations, property owners or occupiers will be contacted directly by the project team. Selection for monitoring is for technical data collection purposes. It does not, by itself, mean that future noise at selected properties will exceed an applicable noise target or determine whether any mitigation will be required.

If a proposed noise wall or screen wall is identified adjacent to a property, affected property owners will be consulted as part of the design process. Final noise wall locations and heights will be confirmed through detailed design, assessment and approval processes.

Further information on noise modelling will be distributed over the coming months.

Read here the Noise Wall Fact Sheet.

 

A range of environmental and technical investigations have been undertaken to understand potential environmental impacts. Environmental and heritage assessments, and approvals are in progress. Environmental impacts will be managed during construction in accordance with Environmental Management Plans and approval conditions received.

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. The project has been referred to:

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

Main Roads referred the project to the National EPA in August 2025.

Following the referral public consultation period, the proposal was determined to be a “controlled action”. The project is therefore undergoing assessment due to its impacts on Matters of National Environmental Significance in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Preliminary Documentation including an offset strategy was advertised on 27 July 2026 for a four week public comment period.

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

Main Roads submitted a native vegetation clearing permit application in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986. Main Roads is providing DWER additional information. The clearing permit will be subject to a 21 day appeal period. Any appeals received must be resolved before the clearing of native vegetation can commence.

Main Roads will obtain any additional environmental 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. Where impacts can’t be avoided, offsets will be provided consisting of acquisition and partnerships with DBCA and the City of Kwinana to improve local reserves.  

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 was provided a further opportunity to comment 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 has been 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 informed the design of new (or modified) noise walls.

The Kwinana Freeway Upgrade Alliance is reviewing noise levels in accordance with SPP5.4 using the detailed design being developed as part of the project.

Landowner consultation is being undertaken in relation to noise treatments.

How is Aboriginal cultural heritage being considered? 

The project team is working with the Gnaala Karla Booja and Whadjuk 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.