Tonkin Gap Project

What's Happening

Works notice

The following roadworks will be completed:

Tonkin Highway northbound between Collier Road and Morley Drive

28 November 2024
10pm to 5am
Line marking
Lane closures
Speed limit reduced to 60kmh

Background

Project videos

Community

Environment and heritage

Environment

This is a very constrained site and there is no way we can build the required infrastructure without clearing vegetation. However, we are committed to minimising the extent of clearing and are exploring opportunities for local and regional environmental offsets. Any clearing will also be undertaken with appropriate State and Federal government approvals.

Where an area of ground is disturbed and not finished with a sealed surface, such as asphalt, revegetation works will be undertaken. This will include a variety of native vegetation species, including trees.

Project approvals from environmental regulators including the Environmental Protection Authority of WA (EPA), Department of Water and Environment Regulation, Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has been obtained for the project. All relevant works approvals from appropriate agencies including Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attraction, where the Swan River Trust is housed, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation for groundwater and contamination issues and local government authorities for out of hours approvals will be sought.

Flora and Fauna

Environmental consultants were engaged to complete a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Tonkin Gap Project, which included the Swan River and land within the road reserve on both sides of the Swan River within the alignment of Tonkin Highway.

The assessment included a detailed flora and vegetation assessment, a Black Cockatoo and fauna habitat assessment including inspection of mature trees to record habitat and breeding trees suitable for use by Black Cockatoo species, and a water insect, water and sediment survey of the Swan River. While potential Black Cockatoo nesting trees were identified during surveys, none with suitable hollows were found.

We would prefer not to have any impact on nesting cockatoos. We will be looking for all potential solutions to avoid this. Where we do need to remove such a tree, our Environment Team will inspect the trees prior to check if any cockatoos are nesting and relocate if necessary. We are consulting with community before vegetation within the project area is cleared.

The Tonkin Gap Project was referred to the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) in 2019, and both the EPA and DAWE determined that the potential impacts of the project are not significant and does not require further assessment.

Park and foreshore changes

An area of Selby Park has always been reserved for a Tonkin Highway upgrade under the State Government’s Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS). This will be required to build the new loop ramp from Great Eastern Highway. We are working closely with the City of Belmont to minimise the impact and determine how best to reinstate the park at the conclusion of the works.

We have identified an area under the Redcliffe Bridge, on the City of Bayswater side, that we could enhance. We are already working with the City of Bayswater and other State Government agencies to consider opportunities in this location. Suggestions from stakeholders and the community have included a skate park, fishing platforms and shared path facilities. Further consultation with local government, stakeholders and the community will be undertaken.

Heritage

We aim to avoid, minimise, and reduce our negative impacts to Aboriginal and European heritage sites wherever practicable, in line with Main Roads’ commitment to recognising heritage. A heritage trail will be constructed as part of the project and will predominately run from Great Eastern Highway to Guildford Road along the new Principal Shared Path.

Aboriginal heritage

For this project, we conducted heritage surveys and two sites of Aboriginal cultural significance were identified within the works area:

The Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River)
Two River Gum trees each with a single cultural scar

The Derbarl Yerrigan is said to have been created by the Wagyl, a spiritual being often described as a serpent or snake, who still resides in river systems. It represents cultural continuity and is incorporated in many language groups oral histories.

Scar trees are the result of removing parts of the tree to make objects and artefacts, representing the traditional knowledge of the Whadjuk people. This provides an indication to the ancestral occupation and use of the area’s resources.

Scar Tree 1.jpg — Identified River Gum Tree with cultural scar

The input and contribution of Traditional Owners are valued, and we are seeking advice and opinions from Whadjuk Traditional Owners on this project.

For example, when disturbing any ground near, or in, the Derbarl Yerrigan we have employed Whadjuk Heritage Monitors. Their role is to observe ground disturbance as it is occurring to prevent possible harm to Aboriginal heritage.

We will also be incorporating Aboriginal urban design within areas of the project, including under the Redcliffe Bridge, Great Eastern Highway and Guildford Road underpasses.

European Heritage

European heritage searches of state and local heritage registers also revealed three sites of varying cultural and heritage value, within the vicinity of the Project, with one of these being within the Project boundary. The sites are:

Sugar’s Brickworks, Ascot
Brady Plaster Works, Bayswater
Cresco Fertiliser, Bayswater

The Sugar’s Brickworks site is located on the southern bank of the Swan River, underneath Redcliffe Bridge, and is currently recognised with a plaque that will remain in place throughout construction and operation. Brady Plaster Works site has been excluded from state registers due to lack of cultural significance, however prior to its demolition, TGA produced a standard archival record to be submitted to the Heritage Council of WA. Lastly, the Cresco site was a landmark in industrial development within the area, however, it is not included on state registers.

Sustainability

Have your say

As a key focus area for the project, we are asking our community to share their thoughts, ideas and suggestions as to how we can better embed sustainability into the project by completing our sustainability survey (PDF). Once completed, please email to enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au with the subject line ‘Tonkin Gap Sustainability’.

Download the Sustainability Survey (PDF)

What is Infrastructure Sustainability?

Infrastructure sustainability is infrastructure that is designed, constructed and operated to optimise environmental, social and economic outcomes of the long term.

To support our commitment to driving positive sustainable outcomes, we are applying the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) V2.0 Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating framework for the design and construction phases of this project to assess the project.

This is an industry-benchmarking tool that has been developed in consultation with the industry to embed sustainable practices in every aspect of infrastructure design, construction and operation. The process is evidence based and we will provide the full assessment to ISC at the end of each phase to be independent verified by a third party. Following this, the project will be awarded with a certification and rating which can be assessed against other major infrastructure projects across Australia.

Our Sustainability Commitment

Sustainability is a key focus for the project that we have considered during the design and construction phase of the project. We have developed a Tonkin Gap Project & Associated Works Sustainability Policy (PDF) to reflect our commitment to addressing sustainability issues including growth and economic benefit, efficient resource use, sustainable procurement, and community and stakeholder influence.

Annual Sustainability Report 2022-2023

Project Objectives and Targets

We have used the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to guide the consideration of key focus areas of sustainability for the project. An internal multi-disciplinary team has developed Sustainability Focus Areas (PDF) from key sustainability issues on the project. These focus areas help guide the identification of key risks and opportunities for the project.

From these objectives we have also identified sustainability targets (Word document) to ensure sustainability is front of mind during design, construction and operation. We will be monitoring our achievement as the project progresses.

Sustainable Development Goals

We measure and track our sustainability performance against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The SDG are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.

This information sheet (PDF) summarises what you need to know about how the project aligns with the global sustainability agenda. The goals are also linked to our project sustainability objectives (PDF).

Visit the UN SDG’s website for more information.

Project Publications

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Tonkin Gap Project and Associated Works

What's Happening

Works notice

Talkin' Tonkin

Property Condition Surveys

Environment

Flora and Fauna

Park and foreshore changes

Heritage

Aboriginal heritage

European Heritage

Have your say

What is Infrastructure Sustainability?

Our Sustainability Commitment

Project Objectives and Targets

Sustainable Development Goals

Project and construction updates

2024

2023

2022

2021

2019/2020

Project information

Media Statements

Funding

Tonkin Gap bridging the Gap

Tonkin Gap team takes gold for sustainability

Strollers and cyclists make most of the new underpass!

Project site tours provide learning opportunities

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Acknowledgement of country

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