Kwinana Freeway Upgrade

What's Happening

Environment – Invitation for Public Comment

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.

The Preliminary Documentation (including all attachments) can be viewed in the Environment section below. Public comment is for a period of 20 business days from 27 July to 21 August 2026.

Preferred proponent announced

A consortium made up of CPB Contractors, McConnell Dowell Constructors, Arup Australia Projects and Jacobs Group has been appointed as preferred proponent to deliver the project.The consortium will now commence negotiations with Main Roads prior to contract award.

Construction will begin early next year, subject to environmental and heritage approvals. Read more in the Minister for Transport’s media statement.

Concept Design

A concept design has been developed for the Kwinana Freeway Upgrade as part of the project’s planning and development. It outlines:

Configuration and location of additional lanes.
Principal Shared Path alignment and connections.
Proposed extent of new or modified noise walls.

View the concept design here:

The concept design has been informed by works completed during planning and project development including on-site investigations, environmental and heritage assessments, and early design development for road, bridge, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and drainage.

A Fact Sheet on the Concept Design provides further information.

Commonwealth Environmental Referral Outcome

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

Following public comment, DCCEEW has determined the proposal to be a “controlled action”. This means that 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.

The determination can be viewed in DCCEEW’s Portal.

To learn more about the project’s environmental approvals, view our Frequently Asked Questions tab below.

Customer Feedback Survey

To help us continually improve the way we engage with the community as we plan for the upgrade of Kwinana Freeway, complete our customer feedback survey.

Take the survey

Background

Scope

Community and stakeholder engagement

Environment

EPBC 2025/10266

Notification for Publication of Preliminary Documentation under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

Invitation for Public Comment

In accordance with Section 95A(3) of the EPBC Act, public comment is invited on an action proposed to be taken in the City of Cockburn and the City of Kwinana, Western Australia.

Main Roads Western Australia is proposing to widen and upgrade approximately 20 kilometres of Kwinana Freeway between Roe Highway in the City of Cockburn and Mortimer Road in the City of Kwinana, Western Australia (the Proposed Action). The Proposed Action includes the construction of additional lanes in each direction, freeway ramp upgrades, noise walls, principal shared paths and other road infrastructure.

The Proposed Action has been determined to be a controlled action under the EPBC Act and will be assessed through Preliminary Documentation. The controlling provision under Part 3 of the EPBC Act is listed threatened species and communities (Section 18 and 18A). The EPBC-listed species and communities (protected matters) that are impacted by the Proposed Action include:

Banksia Woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain Threatened Ecological Community - Endangered
Tuart (eucalyptus gomphocephala) Woodlands and Forests of the Swan Coastal Plan Threatened Ecological Community - Critically Endangered
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo (Zanda latirostris) - Endangered
Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso) - Vulnerable
Grand Spider Orchid (Caladenia huegelii) - Endangered
Dwarf Bee Orchid (Diuris micrantha) - Vulnerable
Glossy-Leaved Hammer Orchid (Drakaea elastica) – Endangered

In accordance with Section 95A(3) of the EPBC Act, Preliminary Documentation related to the Proposed Action is available for viewing and comment for 20 business days from date of advertisement.

Viewing the Preliminary Documentation

Hard copies of the Referral and Preliminary Documentation (including all attachments) will be available to view for a period of 20 business days from 27 July to 21 August 2026 at the following locations:

State Library of Western Australia

25 Francis Street, Perth WA 6000

City of Cockburn – Spearwood Library

9 Coleville Crescent, Spearwood WA 6163

City of Kwinana – Kwinana Public Library

Darius Wells Library and Resource Centre
Chisham Avenue and Robbos Way, Kwinana WA 6167

Electronic versions of the documentation can also be viewed or downloaded in portable document format (PDF) below.

EPBC s156B Letter - PDF (18.13 MB)
EPBC Referral Supporting Documentation - PDF (118.24 MB)
EPBC Preliminary Documentation - PDF (47.76 MB)
Attachment 01 - Kwinana Freeway Widening - Flora and Fauna Survey - PDF (82.21 MB)
Attachment 02 - Roe Highway Widening - Flora and Vegetation Survey - PDF (35.9 MB)
Attachment 03 - Roe Highway Widening - Basic Fauna Survey - PDF (18.91 MB)
Attachment 04 - Roe Highway Widening - Targeted Black Cockatoo Survey - PDF (32.47 MB)
Attachment 05 - Kwinana Targeted Orchid Survey - PDF (12.05 MB)
Attachment 06 - Anketell Rd Upgrade Consolidated - PDF (80.27 MB)
Attachment 07 - Phytophthora Dieback Occurrence Report - PDF - (3.95 MB)
Attachment 08 - Environmental Management Plan (with figures) - PDF (19.42 MB)
Attachment 09 - Tuart and Banksia TEC HQS - PDF (25.44 MB)
Attachment 10 - Offset Strategy - PDF (9.27 MB)
Attachment 11 - Kwinana Freeway - Thomsons Lake Impact assessment and modelling - PDF (1.75 MB)

Hard copies of the documentation may be purchased for $10 (including postage and packaging):

Company Name: Office of Major Transport Infrastructure Delivery
Address: 34 Stirling Street, Perth WA 6000
Telephone No. 138 138

Should assistance be required to access the document (i.e., for persons for whom English is a second language or who have a vision impairment), please email enquiries@mainoads.wa.gov.au or contact Main Roads’ Customer Information Centre on 138 138.

Public Comment

Comments are to be received by 21 August 2026 and addressed to: enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Kwinana Freeway need to be widened now?

Kwinana Freeway typically accommodates around 100,000 vehicles daily, 10 - 15 per cent of which are heavy freight vehicles. Existing congestion causes frustration for motorists and hampers the efficient movement of freight. Widening the freeway is essential to alleviate these bottlenecks, enhance traffic flow and support future development.

How will environmental impacts be managed?

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.

What are ramp signals?

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.

Preliminary Documentation including an offset strategy will be 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 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 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.

Project Publications

Improve

safety

Key

transport corridor

Meeting

future population need

What's Happening

Environment – Invitation for Public Comment

Preferred proponent announced

Concept Design

Commonwealth Environmental Referral Outcome

Customer Feedback Survey

EPBC 2025/10266

Notification for Publication of Preliminary Documentation under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

Invitation for Public Comment

Viewing the Preliminary Documentation

Public Comment

Why does Kwinana Freeway need to be widened now?

How will environmental impacts be managed?

What are ramp signals?

Project information

Concept Design

Media statements

Funding

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project updates

Acknowledgement of Country

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