A PLANNING control area has been established for the proposed Whiteman Yanchep Highway, which will at its southern end connect directly into Tonkin Highway about 1.5km south of Gnangara Road.

Main Roads WA has completed planning for part of the proposed Whiteman Yanchep Highway (WYH), extending north-west from Tonkin Highway to a point roughly 1km north of Neaves Road.

A Main Roads spokeswoman said the land required for the route had been included in planning control area 173 which was gazetted on October 13.

She said the future highway would provide good connectivity and accessibility, linking between industrial areas throughout the Perth metropolitan area and beyond.

The proposed new north-south route in Perth’s northwest corridor will ease traffic pressure on Wanneroo Road and Mitchell Freeway in the future, due to Perth’s forecasted population growth.

Planning Minister John Carey has approved the declaration of planning control area 173.

A Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage update said it was required over properties to ensure that no development occurred on the land until it could be reserved as primary regional roads in the metropolitan region scheme (MRS).

The declaration will remain in effect for five years from the date of publication of the notice in the Government Gazette or until revoked by the Western Australian Planning Commission with approval by the minister – whichever is the sooner.

The planning control area declaration means any development in the area can now only go ahead with the approval of the WAPC.

The penalty for not complying is $200,000 and a further fine of $25,000 for each day during which the offence continues.

Compensation is payable in respect of land injuriously affected by the declaration and land so affected may be acquired by the WAPC in the same circumstances and in the same manner as if the land had been reserved in the MRS for a public purpose.

The City of Swan was contacted for comment.