Loop roads won’t stymie tourist drive: local pollies

by Hilary Smale

May 13, 2008

A MOOTED coastal tourist drive winding between Fremantle and Mandurah will not be stymied by loop roads that in recent years have shunted motorists from the coastline, local pollies say.

The proposed route (pictured), devised by the South West Group of councils, was set to be debated on May 15 by Fremantle council’s Strategic and General Services Committee.

If given the green light, the route would negotiate two loop roads – recently built to accommodate the contentious Port Coogee residential enclave, and the Australian Marine Complex.

The route would also link to the existing Sunset Coast tourist drive north of the Swan, which in turn now takes in a loop road at the swank residential development that’s rising alongside Leighton Beach.

Fremantle councillor Brad Pettit said the proposal would be good for motorists.

“As much as I’m not a supporter of Port Coogee, the drive takes you to the top of the hill,” Cr Pettit said of recently-diverted Cockburn Road, “so there is a nice lookout that you otherwise wouldn’t go to.

“Some of the [nominated] tourist attractions are a bit questionable, but it’s a great idea and it opens up the area more.”

Attractions nominated along the drive include tourist hotspots such as Fremantle’s museum and Fishing Boat Harbour. Less obvious drawcards nominated by the Southwest Group of councils are the Australian Marine Complex and Alcoa Kwinana Refinery.

Cockburn mayor Stephen Lee says the drive would make people appreciate the unique attractions of Perth’s southern beaches.

“There’s so many interesting things to see along the coast there,” he said. “The whole area is just riddled with stuff that can make for a very nice Sunday drive.”

Mayor Lee, under the Corruption and Crime Commission microscope for his dealings with developer Australand over Port Coogee, said the development would only improve the proposed tourist route.

“The existing road just goes around,” he said, “but by the middle of next year, if you have the time, you could stop and have an ice-cream at Coogee.”

If supported by southwest councils, the route will be put to the West Australian government for consideration as a State Tourist Drive.