Tonkin Highway Extension

Planning and development work

Geotechnical works, site investigations, groundwater modelling, traffic and noise modelling assessments, and stakeholder consultation are underway. The urban design and landscape framework is also progressing.

See what else we have been up to in our January project update.

Procurement

We have started procurement, with an industry workshop held on 20 January 2021 attended by representatives from the construction industry, including Consult Australia, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Construction Contractors Association of Western Australia and the Civil Contractors Federation Western Australia.

The purpose of the workshop was to let industry know about the project and proposed timelines, and to consider risks, discuss the most appropriate form of contract, and pre-qualification requirements.

The expression of interest for companies to construct the new highway was released on 15 March 2021 and will be open until 20 April 2021. 

Freight rail realignment planning study

During 2020, a planning study was undertaken to determine an alignment and the feasibility of including the construction of a proposed realignment of Kwinana South Western freight rail line through Mundijong and Mardella as part of the Tonkin Highway Extension project.

The planning study identified two possible realignment options that were the subject of site investigation works and stakeholder consultation.

Recognising the significance a future rail corridor will have for local landholders, it has been determined that future planning for a future freight rail realignment corridor should not be expedited.

Therefore, we have resolved to separate the planning for the freight rail line corridor from the Tonkin Highway Extension project and undertake the planning for a future freight rail realignment corridor in 2021, in consultation with the community.

Following the conclusion of the planning study, further information about timing and delivery of the rail realignment will become available.

• 2020: Planning and development
• 2022: Contract award (the construction timeline is subject to environmental and statutory approvals and finalisation of project scope). 
• 2023: Construction begins

State environmental approvals have been obtained for the Tonkin Highway Extension project under the Environmental Protection Act. Federal environmental approvals are now being sought. The project is currently being assessed by the Australian Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

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).

In accordance with Section 95A(3) of the EPBC Act, Preliminary Documentation related to the proposed action is available for viewing and comment for a minimum of 10 business days from date of advertisement (18 June 2021).

The Preliminary Documentation is available at the following locations, or can be viewed below.

• State Library of Western Australia - 25 Francis Street, Perth WA 6000
• Mundijong Public Library - 10 Paterson St, Mundijong WA 6123
• Armadale Library (City of Armadale) - 64/10 Orchard Avenue, Armadale WA 6112

• Tonkin Highway Extension Preliminary Documentation - Part 1 (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Preliminary Documentation - Part 2 (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Preliminary Documentation - Part 3 (PDF)
• Appendix A - PD Request Further Information Letter signed (PDF)
• Appendix B -Layout Plan (PDF)
• Appendix C - Flora and Vegetation Survey (Woodman 2020) (PDF)
• Appendix D - Black Cockatoo Breeding Habitat Survey (Kirkby 2020) (PDF)
• Appendix E - Black Cockatoo Habitat Quality Assessment (PDF)
• Appendix F - Dieback Assessment (Glevan 2020) (PDF)
• Appendix G - Biological Survey Adequacy and Limitations (PDF)
• Appendix H -The Offset Strategy (PDF)
• Appendix I - Action Management Plan (PDF)
• Appendix J - Tetraria australiensis Fire Management Plan (PDF)

• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral 2019-8608 (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral Att 1 - Appendix 1 Proposed Action Location Lot information (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral Att 2 - Figure 1 Site Location (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral Att 3 - Figure 2 Vegetation Association (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral Att 4 - Figure 3 Vegetation Condition (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral Att 5 - Figure 4 Threatened Flora and Ecological Communities (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral Att 6 - Figure 5 Black Cockatoo Trees (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral Att 7 - Figure 6 Black Cockatoo Trees with Hollows (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral Att 8 - Figure 7 Black Cockatoo Foraging Habitat (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral Att 9 - Figure 8 Regional Black Cockatoo Habitat (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral Att 10 - Figure 9 Wetlands and Watercourses (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral Att 11 - Mundijong Road Spring Flora Survey (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral Att 12 - Ministerial Statement 595 (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral Att 13 - Tonkin Hwy Black Cockatoo Assessment (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral Att 14 - Tonkin Highway Extension Reconnaissance Flora Survey (PDF)
• Tonkin Highway Extension Referral Att 15 - Tonkin Highway Extension EIA Final (PDF)

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

Company Name: Main Roads Western Australia
Address: Don Aitken Centre, Waterloo Crescent, East Perth WA 6004
Telephone: 138 138

Comments are to be received by Friday 2 July 2021 and addressed to:

Name: Elizabeth Johnston
Position: Senior Environment Officer, Main Roads Western Australia
Email: elizabeth.johnston@mainroads.wa.gov.au
Phone:  +61 8 9323 4945

Persons with special needs (i.e. for whom English is a second language or who has a vision impairment) may contact Elizabeth Johnston via the details above for assistance in accessing the documentation.

What is the project schedule?

The project’s construction schedule is subject to the findings of site investigations and regulatory approvals, with a more refined project delivery schedule being determined as the planning and development works progress.

What is the status of the Tonkin Highway extension environmental approvals?

The project has environmental approval under the (State) Environmental Protection Act (Ministerial Statement MS 595) and we are currently seeking environmental approval under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. In April 2020, the project was determined to be a ‘controlled action’ under the EPBC Act (EPBC 2019/8606) and the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE) requested further information to assist in the assessment process.

The importance of the work required to ensure that the natural assets of Western Australia are conserved is understood and appreciated. There are some very sensitive environmental issues that need to be addressed as part of planning for the Tonkin Highway Extension project, including impacts to threatened ecological communities, rare flora, and three species of Black Cockatoo.

We will submit the requested information on the Tonkin Highway Extension to DAWE for consideration.

Who is responsible for Thomas Road, east of Tonkin Highway?

The Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale. It is possible we may take responsibility for the road in the next two to three years.

Will planning work consider the extension of Tonkin Highway further south?

Extending Tonkin Highway south of Mundijong Road was included in the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) sub-regional planning framework and is considered a long-term proposal.

A short section of the future Tonkin Highway south of Mundijong Road will be planned for as part of the Tonkin Highway extension and potential freight rail realignment works.

However, no further planning work is currently funded to occur.

Will the intersections along the highway be grade separated with bridges?

The current project scope does not make provision for grade separations at Thomas Road, Orton Road, Mundijong Road or South Western Highway.

We are currently undertaking extensive traffic modelling to confirm the treatments required at each intersection.

What types of intersections are being considered and access from local roads?

We are undertaking traffic modelling, which will help inform the type of intersections to be considered at Thomas Road, Orton Road, Bishop Road, Mundijong Road and South Western Highway.

The modelling will also consider the local road network and possible changes to accommodate the highway at Hopkinson Road, Abernethy Road and Gossage Road.

What would it cost to grade separate the intersections now rather than later?

We have not yet undertaken any estimates as to the additional cost to grade separate the intersections as part of the project.

However, the cost would be well above the available budget, but the intersections proposed will have the capacity to be able be grade separated in the future as traffic demands warrant.

Is there a connection from Hopkinson Road to Tonkin Highway?

No, there will be no connection provided from Hopkinson Road to Tonkin Highway.

However, a connection to Thomas Road will be considered as part of the planning process. Other local road connections are also being reviewed as part of the planning process.

Will Abernethy Road be connected to Tonkin Highway?

No, there will be no connection provided from Abernethy Road to Tonkin Highway. However, an equine and pedestrian / cyclist underpass is planned at this location to maintain east-west connectivity.

Retaining local access for vehicles by maintaining Abernethy Road under Tonkin Highway will be considered as part of the planning process.

What equine, pedestrian and cyclist connectivity is being planned?

An equine underpass is planned under Tonkin Highway at Abernethy Road.

A shared-use path is planned on the east side of the highway with planned connections where local paths are provided on local roads.

We are engaging with the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale and other stakeholders to determine plans for paths on the adjacent road network. This will be considered as part of the planning and development work underway.

Are there plans to reduce South Western Highway to one lane in each direction through Byford town site?

No, previous traffic modelling has concluded that with the expansion of the Byford, Cardup and Mundijong areas, South Western Highway will need to remain two lanes in each direction through the Byford town site, even with Tonkin Highway constructed.

What other works are happening on the local road network?

Main Roads plans and undertakes roadworks on freeways, highways and some main roads, for example, Thomas Road west of Tonkin Highway. However, the wider local road network is managed by relevant shires or councils.

For information on local road improvements, contact the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale.

Construction and Project Updates

• Project Update - January 2021 - PDF (2.04 MB)
• Project Update - October 2020 - PDF (1 MB)
• Project Overview - June 2020 - PDF (2.38 MB)

Project Information

• Project Map - June 2021 - PDF (1.23 MB)

Media Statements

• Industry workshop starts search for Tonkin Highway Extension contractor – 21 January 2021
• Roads budget delivers congestion busting solution and WA jobs  - 9 May 2019

Funding