What's happening
Project development is underway for the final 110 km link (Stage 4), including:
- Traditional Owner heritage surveys
- Highway alignment definition
- Optimisation of sustainable outcomes
- Construction material usage
An Expression Of Interest (EOI) for the Stage 4 main Alliance Contract is planned to be advertised in late 2023. The main Alliance Contract will seek to maximise First Nation people participation. First Nations are represented by Yindjibarndi and Wintawuri Guruma Groups. Participation will include commercial, cultural and employment opportunities, as well as skills development and increased capacity.
Pavement overlay works are currently being undertaken to upgrade Stage 2. These works are partly being undertaken by Yindjibarndi businesses.
Stakeholder feedback will continue to be gathered on a number of areas to inform design:
- Stakeholder led innovations
- Environmental offsets
- Mitigation of environmental impacts
- Potential social offsets and win-win outcomes
- Opportunities for local people/businesses and Traditional Owners
- Input into construction delivery
- Directional signage and branding
- Water sources
- Industry collaboration
- Material supply
- Defining 'Pilbara Proof'
- Alignment definition
- Roadside amenities
- Highway access points off and over roads
- Avoidance of Traditional Owner heritage sites
A number of key decisions have been influenced by stakeholder feedback including:
- Agreement on the highway Interface with the FMG rail bridge (Eliwana Arch)
- Wintawari Guruma representatives input into the corridor selected near Hamersley Homestead
- Safety and technical recommendations for the highway to remain on the western side of the existing rail line
- Freight industry preference to accommodate RAV10 vehicles
- Community feedback on the naming of the Manuwarra Red Dog Highway
We are committed to engaging with stakeholders to ensure their input is considered during the design, whilst providing value-for-money outcomes.
We will engage with the wider communities of Tom Price, Paraburdoo, Roebourne and Karratha to ensure the project leaves a positive legacy to the Pilbara. Timely communications and ongoing liaison will continue throughout the life of the project.
A Public Sustainability Report has been developed for the project during the development phase.
Our Sustainability Management Plan sets the vision and objectives for the project. It also guides us with the governance and processes to manage and deliver on sustainability during planning.
Key outcomes of this phase will include maximising environmental, social and cultural opportunities, sustainable use of recycled materials and existing infrastructure, optimising land use and providing a resilient 'Pilbara Proof' asset. To achieve these outcomes, we continue to work with stakeholders with a focus on:
- Environmental Legacy
- Social Legacy
- Resilience
- Safety in Design and
- Resource Efficiency
Minimising the environmental footprint
A Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment to identify any environmental factors that may impact the alignment is complete.
As part of the WA Environmental Protection Authority and Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment assessment, we have completed vegetation, flora and fauna surveys. These help to determine what we can do to avoid or minimise environmental impacts.
Incorporating and managing cultural heritage
The final link is located within Yindjibarndi and Eastern Guruma country, with many areas of great significance to local Traditional Owners, including Hamersley Range, Fortescue River, Weelumurra Creek and Hamersley Homestead.
Working with Yindjibarndi and Wintawari Guruma representative groups, we are aiming for a positive and respectful relationship, by understanding cultural and social implications of the project.
Heritage surveys are being organised to identify cultural and heritage sites to inform the road alignment design to avoid or minimise impacts.Environmental Review Document
8 August 2022 to 5 September 2022
We're proposing to construct and maintain Stage 4 between Karratha and Tom Price, from Wallyinya Pool (on the existing Roebourne – Wittenoom Road) to the Nanutarra – Munjina Road, adjacent to the existing Pilbara Rail Company railway.
An Environmental Review Document (ERD) has been prepared in accordance with EPA procedures and the ERD is released for public review. The ERD describes the likely environmental impacts and the proposed management measures for a Revised Proposal, based on conditional approval granted by Ministerial Statement 677 in April 2005.
Hard copies of the document may be purchased for $10 (including postage) or a USB version is available free of charge from:
Main Roads Western Australia, Waterloo Crescent, East Perth WA 6004Enter Reception via Horatio St, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Telephone: 138 138
Copies of the document may also be downloaded from the Environmental Protection Authority website, or below.
Copies of the document will be available for examination at:
- Karratha and Tom Price Public Libraries
- State Library of Western Australia.
The closing date for public submissions is: 5th September 2022
The EPA prefers submissions to be made electronically via the EPA’s Consultation Hub.
Alternatively, submissions can be:
- Posted to: Chair, Environmental Protection Authority, Locked Bag 10, Joondalup DC, WA 6919 or
- Delivered to: Environmental Protection Authority, Prime House, 8 Davidson Terrace, Joondalup, WA 6027.
If you have any questions on how to make a submission, please call EPA Services, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation on 6364 7000.
- EPA - Environmental Review Document
- Environmental Review Document - Figures Part 1
- Environmental Review Document - Figures Part 2
- Environmental Review Document - Appendix 1 - Requested Info
- Environmental Review Document - Appendix 2 - Biota (2021) Biological Survey Report
- Environmental Review Document - Appendix 2 - Biota (2021) Biological Survey Report Part 1
- Environmental Review Document - Appendix 2 - Biota (2021) Biological Survey Report Part 2
- Environmental Review Document - Appendix 2 - Biota (2021) Biological Survey Report Part 3
- Environmental Review Document - Appendix 4 - Alignment Definition Hydrological Summary Report
- Environmental Review Document - Appendix 5 - Preliminary Site Investigation
- Environmental Review Document - Appendix 6 - GHG Emissions Estimates
EPBC Referral Preliminary Documentation - August 2022
The proposed action has also been determined to be a controlled action under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and will be assessed through Preliminary Documentation, prepared, pursuant to Section 95A(3) of the EPBC Act. In accordance with Section 95A(3) of the EPBC Act, Preliminary Documentation related to the proposed action is now available for viewing and comment.
The comment period ends on the 6th October 2022 and comments should be sent to John Morrell, Environment Officer Main Roads Western Australia.
john.morrell@mainroads.wa.gov.au
+61 8 9323 4653
- EPBC Rerferral Preliminary Documentation - Pages 1-200
- EPBC Rerferral Preliminary Documentation - Pages 201-400
- EPBC Rerferral Preliminary Documentation - Pages 401-600
- EPBC Rerferral Preliminary Documentation - Pages 601-800
- EPBC Rerferral Preliminary Documentation - Pages 801-1000
- EPBC Rerferral Preliminary Documentation - Pages 1001-1141
- Improve access to Millstream Chichester National Park and Karijini National Park, helping boost tourist traffic in the heart of the Pilbara
- Travel time saving of over two and a half hours compared to the alternative sealed route
- Improved connectivity between Karratha, Roebourne, Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Newman
- Improved safety
- Better access to hospitals and medical services, local businesses, shopping and service centres
- Reduced maintenance and travel costs
- Improved regional tourism opportunities
- More reliable journeys by reducing road closures, particularly during wet season
Project and construction updates
- Fact Sheet - Sustainability Targets - Word document (481 KB)
- Project Update - September 2020 - PDF (736 KB)
- Stage 3 Project Update - April 2020- PDF (832 KB)
- Stage 3 Project Update - November 2019 - PDF (695 KB)
Media Statements
- Third stage of upgrades to Manuwarra Red Dog Highway now complete - 2 September 2020
- Karratha-Tom Price Road officially named Manuwarra Red Dog Highway - 2 September 2020