Dongara-Geraldton-Northampton Route Planning Study

Main Roads has completed a planning study to select a final investigation corridor for a future Dongara-Geraldton-Northampton (DGN) route. We have now moved into the Alignment Definition phase of the planning process. This phase of the planning study will include further detailed investigations and route planning refinements to define a road reservation within the final investigation corridor (reducing potential land impacts and road reservation needs to an approximately 100 metres wide route corridor).

Consultation will continue throughout the next phase of the planning process, with affected landowners and other key stakeholders.

The DGN route will provide a more efficient network, that will facilitate the safer movement of people and freight to support the Mid West region as it continues to develop and evolve economically. It will also contribute to greater efficiency by enabling triple road trains to travel between Carnarvon and Muchea, thereby improving agricultural, industry and mining-related transport operations.

Consultation

Several rounds of consultation have been undertaken to gather community and stakeholder feedback on a number of options. In 2022 we released an optimised investigation corridor for consultation, with relevant feedback from this latest round of consultation now informing a final Alignment Selection Report. In 2023 we have started one-on-one meetings with individual landowners to broaden their understanding and allow detailed investigations to occur.

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Figure 1 - Final Investigation Corridor

Next steps

Through the Alignment Definition process, we will undertake more detailed investigations to identify the physical constraints we need to consider when planning a road layout within the preferred corridor.

These typically include:

• Land surveys to map topography
• Underground drilling to identify soil types and the presence of rock and other materials
• Environmental surveys to identify areas with flora and fauna that need to be managed or preserved
• Heritage surveys to identify sites of Aboriginal or historical heritage value.

Construction of this future route is subject to funding, with the northern section considered a priority. Construction between Dongara and Geraldton is not expected until at least 2035.