Maps & Designs for Bunbury Outer Ring Road
In 2018, following extensive community consultation, the Northern and Central concept was updated to include north facing ramps at the Raymond Road Interchange - open the Raymond Road Interchange North Facing Ramps Fact Sheet (PDF, 1.37MB) to find out how these ramps will improve connectivity and reduce road noise for nearby local residents.
A few minor changes were made to the interchange during detailed design, take a look at the latest Raymond Road Fact Sheet (PDF, 2.62MB) for more information
Detailed investigations and environmental site surveys of this alignment have been carried out.
Planning history
After conducting community and stakeholder feedback in 2018, we determined that the South Western Highway can include a full connection, allowing cars to travel in either direction between both roads. This change will allow visitors and the local community to more easily access destinations in the Greater Bunbury area, including Bunbury CBD and the Ferguson Valley.
From early 2017 to early 2018, we undertook alignment selection planning study, between Forrest Highway and Boyanup - Picton Road. This is to identify an integrated planning solution that is aligned with the future development of Greater Bunbury.The study was completed in early 2018, and a preferred corridor was selected, with the decision supported by the Western Australian Planning Commission on 31 May 2018. The eastern corridor was selected for various reasons, including:
- It provides an integrated planning solution and defines an outer perimeter for development rather than dividing the Greater Bunbury footprint.
- It more effectively separates high speed regional and freight traffic from local traffic improving safety, efficiency and improved port access.
- It starts further north which will improve safety for a number of intersections along the existing Forrest Highway (including Raymond Road, Grand Entrance, and Hynes Road).
- It is capable of catering for a future population in excess of 200,000 people with four lanes whereas the previous corridor would require a wider footprint with more lanes and larger interchanges.
For further details on the alignment selection process and outcomes, view the Northern Alignment Section Selection Report (PDF, 10.5MB).
Central Section
The four kilometre central section was completed in May 2013, and connects Boyanup Picton Road and South Western Highway, south of Bunbury (near Bunbury Airport). A three kilometre extension of Bunbury Port Access Road (Willinge Drive) was built at the same time.
The preferred alignment for the Southern section has been chosen and we are proceeding with planning the southern alignment through the existing road reserve.
Development of the concept is ongoing and we are continuing with stakeholder and community engagement.
Planning history
The existing corridor has been reserved within the Greater Bunbury Region Scheme for many years. However, when referring the project for environmental approval it is necessary to demonstrate that there are not feasible alternatives with lesser environmental impact.
The road reserve through Gelorup includes Federally listed habitat for the Western Ringtail Possum, Black Cockatoo and Banksia Woodland Threatened Ecological Community. In May 2018, The Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Energy changed the status of the Western Ringtail Possum under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered. This is the highest classification level possible before a species is declared extinct.
As a result of this reclassification and the other Matters of National Environmental Significance, we undertook additional investigations to support the environmental referral process.
View the alternative corridor (PDF, 10.6MB), which was identified for investigation, within which environmental surveys were undertaken and consultation with potentially affected landowners was carried out. For futher information on alignment selection for the Southern section, you can view the Bunbury Outer Ring Road South Alignment Selection Report (PDF, 126MB).
A key benefit is to significantly reduce the amount of regional and freight traffic using local roads through Greater Bunbury. As a “control of access” highway, Bunbury Outer Ring Road (BORR) will only be accessible via major connections. This means that some local roads will be either bridged over or closed on either side. Where roads are closed, works will be carried out to maintain access.
A local access strategy workshop for Gelorup and surrounding areas was held on 23 July 2019. An overview of the workshop and the resultant concept design for BORR South are summarised in the fact sheet and map.
Interchanges
Grade separated interchanges (where two roads are separated, with one going over the other) are being constructed at the following locations:
- Forrest Highway, (at Paris Road / Clifton Road near Australind)
- Raymond Road
- South Western Highway (north) (near Waterloo Road)
- Bussell Highway (between Woods Road and Calinup Road)