SAFETY concerns are more important than fuel costs for the proposed perimeter road/bypass, it was argued at last Wednesday’s special Draft Townsite Strategy meeting.

Among the 29 recommendations to the Augusta-Margaret River Shire Council was to accept in principle the eastern bypass route alignment and “note that further detailed studies will be required to fix precise road alignments, widths and connecting routes” in consultation with Main Roads and affected landowners.

Cr Lyn Serventy declined to put forward an alternative motion, after being defeated on a previous motion for development of eastern, southern and south western green field lands.

However, she expressed concerns about consequent development that may surround the road.

“I feel the only justification for this alignment is the Development Investigation Area and I do not believe it’s a proper timeframe,” she said.

“This perimeter road is considerably larger than (the one) in the original Strategy approved by the Western Australian Planning Commission.

“It’s interesting to note that when consultants came back in July it was a much larger perimeter road.

“This is poor, unintelligent planning–the traffic will use more fuel, travelling further than it needs to.

“We have had very few trucks heading south (and) those that do would be accommodated travelling along Rosa Brook/Sues Road.”

Cr Jenny McGregor responded that the recommendation said further detailed studies were needed, and stressed the “competent” work of planning officers and Main Roads.

She said her brother ran 10 transport trucks a day through to Perth and his drivers were extremely fearful of what might happen on the main street.

“I would hate to think we sat on our hands and had a fatality,” she said.

Cr Ray Colyer said he believed the bypass route proposal was as it should be.

“The previous council washed their hands of the affair, they said it was too hard,” he said.