CITY of Swan councillors have voted for an environmental assessment of the whole of the alignment of the proposed Henley Brook Avenue from south of Asturian Drive to Reid Highway.

A motion put forward by councillor Jennifer Catalano at the March 12 ordinary council meeting also included that Urban Bushland Council and Swan Valley Ratepayers & Residents Association members be involved in the drafting of the terms of reference for the environmental assessment.

The council vote was 9-5 with Swan Valley Gidgegannup ward councillor Rod Henderson leaving the council chamber while the item was under discussion after declaring a proximity interest as he owns land adjacent to the proposed road development.

The officers report presented to the council meeting said city staff supported the motion as it would allow a comprehensive environmental assessment to be undertaken for the proposed Henley Brook Avenue.

Cr Catalano said there had been no comprehensive environmental studies undertaken for the Henley Brook Avenue alignment area.

She said the Worley Parsons Henley Brook Avenue Reservation Review 2013 recommended ‘field surveys to investigate vegetation and flora (were) undertaken to ground-truth dataset mapping’ and more specific investigation of such matters as storm and groundwater discharge into waterways including the river, impacts on remnant vegetation including Bush Forever 200 site, acid sulphate soils and potential impacts to matters of environmental significance with none of them done to date.

“The 1994 EPA submission and formal advice on the North Eastern Corridor Amendment did not provide specific environmental data regarding the impact on the environment of the proposed HBA construction,’’ she said.

“Assessment of the whole project area has to be undertaken as assessment in sections does not reveal the overall environmental impact of the construction of Henley Brook Avenue from Asturian Drive to Reid Highway.’’

Cr Catalano said it was already known there were sensitive areas in the path of the proposed Henley Brook Avenue such as conservation category Pannage wetlands where the road would stand 7m high within 10m of the edge of the wetland but it was also necessary to identify and assess the impact the road would have on the wetland.

“We need to identify the impact the road will have on the ecology and future preservation of Bush Forever site, the impact on ecological link 32, black cockatoo habitat, future hydrology, flooding and drainage in the adjacent suburban and Swan Valley areas, including the effect of clearing via retention basins, culverts and drainage on waterways such as St Leonards Creek and other creek corridors,’’ she said.

“We need to know if there are any other environmental qualities not yet identified and identify where wildlife corridors should be placed if this road is ultimately approved.”

The officer’s report said at the March 17, 2021 ordinary meeting councillors resolved to put on hold all works and land resumptions in relation to Henley Brook Avenue south of Park Street, with the exception of traffic modelling.

“As such, staff have not been able to progress environmental assessments or review and update designs for the section of Henley Brook Avenue south of Park Street,’’ the report said.

“As the March 17, 2021 resolution put all works on hold including land resumptions, significant portions of the land are not owned or controlled by the city.

“If the city does not receive owner approval and cannot access these land parcels, the investigation and assessment may be limited.’’

The report said it was not normal practice to involve community groups in drafting terms of reference for the study, although it could be accommodated.

The city said a detailed cost estimate of such a study had not been undertaken but funds could be included in the 2025-26 draft budget.

In Henley Brook extension questioned the Swan Valley Ratepayers and Residents Association (in response to Henley Brook Avenue Construction Starts said even if the road was to go all the way to Reid Highway they were not aware that federal government approval for removal of significant remnant banksia bushland along the route had been received, nor was there approval to encroach on the Pannage wetlands.