SCARBOROUGH’S roadworks woes have been scrutinised in State Parliament, with Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Murray Cowper alleging that Stirling councillors had misinformed the public.
Scarborough MLA Liza Harvey raised the issue in Parliament last Thursday, saying traffic congestion at Scarborough Beach had caused “significant angst” in the community.
“The traffic changes have caused significant congestion and carved Scarborough Beach into two, an outcome seriously affecting local businesses,” she said.
Mrs Harvey told parliament of certain Stirling councillors’ claims that Main Roads had gone ahead with the works without consulting the City of Stirling.
She said she was seeking clarification as to whether these claims were true or if the councillors in question were, as she believed, “passing the buck”.
Mr Cowper said the State Government was disappointed Stirling councillors had tried to shift the blame for the congestion.
“It is disappointing to see local councillors inferring that there has been no consultation with the City prior to the commencement of the upgrade works late last year,” he said.
“Main Roads had been in ongoing contact with the City of Stirling as it was waiting for the City to complete the land acquisition prior to Main Roads being able to proceed with the planned upgrades. It is particularly odd given that the Mayor and council officers were present at a media event on August 20, 2008, where the funding of the upgrades was re-announced.”
He said any issues stemming from the closure of the Esplanade would have to be taken up with the City of Stirling, as it was the City that commissioned the traffic report behind the works.
Mr Cowper said the Government was also frustrated that the City had taken a year-and- a-half to alert Main Roads of a significant decision to review the City’s Scarborough Beach master plan.
“From the Government’s perspective, it is disappointing that these potential changes were not highlighted to Main Roads prior to the commencement of the $3 million upgrades to West Coast Highway,” he said.
The City’s manager of economic development and urban regeneration Paul White said Main Roads had been invited to a review workshop before the works began in 2009, but did not attend.