Work starts on Tonkin Highway Extension

27/6/03
Work has started on Western Australia's single biggest road project - the $140million Tonkin Highway Extension.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan today turned a sod near Corfield Street, Gosnells to mark the start of construction.
Ms MacTiernan was joined by Roleystone MLA Martin Whitely and representatives from contractors John Holland Macmahon Joint Venture, indigenous mining company Carey Mining and Main Roads.
"Today marks the start of a very exciting future for the south-east metropolitan corridor with the Tonkin Highway Extension now becoming a reality," the Minister said.
"It is an important part of our commitment to provide a liveable, dynamic State," she said.
"The extension will provide the much-needed impetus for future industrial development and urban revitalisation.
"It will open up the Forrestdale Business Park and more than 1000ha of residential land on the southern boundary of Armadale.
"This will see a much needed boost to growth in the south-east corridor.
"Not only will the completed project benefit the community through improvements in access and amenity, it will also provide opportunities during construction to deliver real benefits to the communities directly affected."
Ms MacTiernan said one of those benefits was employment for local indigenous people.
"The Tonkin Highway contract included a specific clause to encourage the use of indigenous labour during the course of the project works," she said.
After a meeting initiated by the Minister, the John Holland Macmahon Joint Venture signed an agreement in April with Carey Mining, to supply up to 15 per cent of the workforce with indigenous labour.
As a result, there are already two local Aboriginal people employed on the project.
"The State Government is dedicated to closing the gap between the social, health and economic well-being of indigenous and non-indigenous people," Ms MacTiernan said.
"This bold new employment strategy will develop local employment opportunities for one of society's most marginalised groups.
The Armadale-Gosnells Landcare Group also has received help from the Tonkin Highway Extension.
"Earlier this month, as part of the preconstruction activities, some of the large trees cleared from the project site were given to the group for use on the Wungong River Project," Ms MacTiernan said.
"The group will use these logs to provide protection on the banks of the river in order to reduce the effects of erosion and to help create habitats.
"By recycling the cleared logs, the project has helped the Landcare Group take steps to successfully complete their important community project.
"This result demonstrates how the impacts of an infrastructure project can be effectively managed to benefit other locations used and enjoyed by the community."
The Tonkin Highway Extension will be completed in two parts, initially reaching Armadale Road by the end of 2004 and Thomas Road by the end of 2006.
The highway will be a dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction and will incorporate an interchange at Albany Highway.
Landscaping, pedestrian and cycling facilities and works to integrate the new highway into the local network also form part of the project.
Construction will initially focus on bridges over Corfield Street, the Canning River and Albany Highway, followed by a section of new highway between Mills Road West and Corfield Street.
A public display is currently being exhibited at local venues throughout the project area and a FREECALL number (1800 620 111) has been established for any public queries regarding construction.
The public display will be at: