MUNDARING residents have raised concerns after it was announced last Thursday that the federal government would contribute $1.5 million towards the Brooking Road extension in Parkerville.

The extension is a key infrastructure initiative aimed at improving road connectivity in the Parkerville region, involving the extension of Brooking Road between Owen Road and Richardson Road.

The Shire of Mundaring submitted an application for funding to the federal government on January 30 and was announced as successful on August 6.

The total project funding is approximately $2.9m with $1.4m committed by the federal government, $810,000 being funded by the WA state government, and another $690,000 from the Shire of Mundaring.

The extension, which has been met with controversy as a key component in the development of the North Stoneville structure plan 34, generating intense backlash over its timing and potential environmental damage.

Save Perth Hills (SPH), the single-issue community campaign criticised the funding saying the road extension is just a pretext for the controversial North Stoneville townsite.

“Save Perth Hills wants to know why… the federal government chose to wait until November, when Satterley’s tribunal appeal against two WA Planning Commission rejections... is underway,” they said.

“Brooking Road upgrades have been identified as supporting the proposed North Stoneville development.

“SPH is disappointed that the federal Member for Bullwinkel, Trish Cook… overlooked the deep sensitivities of the SPH community around North Stoneville matters, and specifically, the timing of this federal funding decision.”

As reported in North Stoneville on track for August directions hearing (Echo News, August 1), traffic gridlocks and potential entrapment during bushfires were major factors in the rejection of Satterley’s development plan since 2020.

Bullwinkel MP Trish Cook supported the funding decision saying it is a great example of three levels of government working together to deliver for the local community.

“There has been misinformation circulating this project is somehow linked to North Stoneville… that is untrue,” she said.

“I want to reaffirm my long-standing opposition to the North Stoneville development.

“My voting record on this matter is public and consistent.

“The Australian government has committed $1,487,712 towards the project, delivered under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.

“This federal funding delivers on a direct request from our local shire to improve bushfire evacuation routes and emergency vehicle access.

“As the federal MP for Bullwinkel, I will continue to engage with the community and councils about issues that matter most to them.”

Shire of Mundaring chief executive officer Jason Whiteaker said the road extension would have a significant benefit on the community and that the shire’s consultation with the community on the issue was transparent.

“The project has been long planned in response to community concerns about congestion and crash risks, due to the increased development of the area and to ensure better access for emergency services,” he said.

“Approximately 150 residents in the area were contacted directly and invited to provide feedback.

“The shire received feedback from ten residents… (and) the main areas of interest included the extent of footpath works, tree clearing… drainage, and noise mitigation during construction.”

Shire president Paige McNeil said the road extension will be open for public discussion.

“A notice of motion requesting the full briefing on the Brooking Road extension project was submitted and is included in the agenda for the upcoming ordinary council meeting on 11 November,” she said.