A safe and efficient freight road network is a key component of the Westport Program and is critical to the success and efficiency of Western Australia’s future supply chain.
Planning is underway to ensure the required road infrastructure will be ready to support the construction and operations of the new port facilities in Kwinana. This planning is being led by Main Roads.
Anketell Road upgrades
Upgrading Anketell Road west of the Kwinana Freeway is part of the Anketell-Thomas Road Freight Corridor (ATRFC) – a long-term plan for a strategic east-west freight link between Kwinana and Tonkin Highway in Oakford.
Anketell Road provides access to the industrial precincts in Rockingham, Kwinana, Naval Base and Henderson. It will require significant upgrades to meet future traffic demand to this key economic area, regardless of the new container port development, but is also critical to support future container freight from the new port.
The Anketell Road Upgrade – Leath Road to Kwinana Freeway Project will provide a dual carriageway between Leath Road and the Kwinana Freeway, an upgrade to Rockingham Road and local road intersection upgrades and modifications.
Construction funding has been announced for Stage 1 of the project – Anketell Road from Leath Road to Abercombie Road. Major utility relocations are required which are scheduled to commence in 2027, with road construction expected to begin in 2028.
Planning and development work is continuing for Stage 2 of the project – Anketell Road from east of Abercrombie Road to the Kwinana Freeway. This section remains a key transport priority and will be delivered in line with the development and delivery sequencing for Westport and the wider Western Trade Coast. Construction funding has not yet been confirmed.
See Main Roads Western Australia – Anketell Road Upgrade for more information.
Anketell-Thomas Road Freight Corridor
The Anketell-Thomas Road Freight Corridor (ATRFC) will be a future freight corridor connecting the new port facilities in Kwinana with Tonkin Highway in Oakford.
An early concept design for the freight corridor was released for consultation in March 2022, which enabled early discussions with the community and local property owners within the proposed area.
Kwinana Freeway upgrades
Construction will begin in early 2027 to upgrade Kwinana Freeway between Roe Highway and Safety Bay Road when environmental approvals are complete. The upgrades will improve safety, ease congestion and support the development of the Western Trade Coast. It will also support the construction and operation of the new port facilities.
See Main Roads Western Australia – Kwinana Freeway Upgrade for more information.
Planning control areas
Planning control areas (PCAs) are now in place to ensure land is protected for the future freight corridor.
The Minister for Planning approved PCA 182 on 9 July 2024 to protect the land required for the proposed road and rail connections between Rockingham Road to Clementi Road.
PCAs were also endorsed in March 2023 to protect the land required for the future Anketell-Thomas Road Freight Corridor.
For further information about PCAs please contact the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage at info@dplh.wa.gov.au or 6551 8002.
The proposed upgrade to Anketell Road has been referred to both the State and Federal environmental regulators for environmental impact assessment.
