The Environmental Protection Authority have decided the effects of the proposed Eastern Link development to connect Causeway Road to Peel Terrace “are not so significant” to warrant an assessment.
In their explanation, EPA chairman Dr Tom Hatton wrote that while implementation of the proposal may result in impacts to fauna, flora and vegetation the consequences would be minor.
Dr Hatton said the EPA were confident the potential impacts of the proposal could be adequately managed through the City of Busselton’s management and mitigation measures and the authority’s advice.
Following this week’s council meeting, it is possible that the city may defer the Eastern Link for six months following a motion raised by councillor Rob Bennet.
Councillors will be asked to vote this week on a motion which would, if approved, defer making a decision on the Eastern Link so the city could conduct further public consultation and cost other options.
The city’s proposal has faced opposition from parts of the community who believe there are better solutions than the Eastern Link to alleviate traffic congestion into Busselton’s town centre.
At the agenda briefing session, Mr Bennett said if it looks like a decision on the Eastern Link was rushed through then people would think they were not taking their concerns seriously.
The proposal has been opposed by many community members including former mayor Ian Stubbs who labelled the proposal “environmental vandalism.”
Mr Stubbs said it would be better for the city to wait until it could afford options which would not cause the environmental damage which would occur from the construction of the Eastern Link.
To build the Eastern Link six peppermint trees along the Vasse River would be removed, which are home to critically endangered western ringtail possums.
South West MLC Steve Thomas said the issue was whether the Eastern Link was a better traffic and emergency management solution than Ford Road.
Mr Thomas said the Eastern Link may be an easier environment sell because Ford Road runs next to a Ramsar wetland, but it did not make the Eastern Link a better solution.
He said the EPA and federal environment groups should inform the city and the community what the environmental issues are and how they could be fixed to allow Ford Road to proceed.
“The EPA have said that the city could present a proposal which is acceptable to the Ramsar wetlands for Ford Road to proceed,” he said.
“The EPA need to let the city and community know what those parametres are in advance so if it is a $1 billion proposal obviously it would not proceed.
“What has been missing in the argument for decades is a conversation back from the environmental assessment agencies to say what sorts of things would make Ford Road acceptable.
“Then the city and community could judge whether that investment would be worthwhile.”
Mr Thomas has called on the Environment Minister and the EPA to give an indication on what would be acceptable for Ford Road to proceed so the city could consider whether it is worth putting in an application.
“If the environmental proposals are so ridiculous and so expensive it is not worthwhile then we all move forward.”
