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Pinjarra residents are frustrated by about 800 heavy haulage trucks passing through daily. They urge the WA government to build a long-promised bypass, but plans stall over cultural concerns.
Residents of Pinjarra, a town of 6,000 people about 80 kilometres south of Perth, are frustrated by the hundreds of heavy haulage trucks that pass through its main streets every day. About 800 heavy haulage trucks roll through Western Australia's Peel region daily, and most, if not all, pass through Pinjarra's main street, close to schools, cafes, homes and other businesses. Some residents are calling on the WA government to finally deliver on a decades-old promise to divert the vehicles from the town centre.
Impact on Daily Life in Pinjarra
The truck traffic has sparked calls to revive long-awaited plans for a bypass. One local, whose name was not provided, said that students, parents and caregivers interface with heavy haulage every day while trying to access either of the two schools. The loads go through the centre of town and nearly touch parked cars on either side of the road, sometimes knocking traffic lights over.
Another resident said that conversations with customers often have to be halted because a truck is going past and they are very noisy. They also see trucks slam on the brakes as they come up to the crosswalk. Sometimes the main street gets shut for a bit and everyone gets stopped for five or ten minutes while the big truck rolls through.
A local man said the issue involves noise and crossing the road, but the main issue is that the vehicles are increasing in number and at some point, there is going to be a major accident.
Bypass Funding Allocated but Project Stalled
The project, which has been on the agenda since the 1990s, was backed by $50 million in state funding and $200 million from the federal government in 2022. But three years on, the project remains in the planning and approvals stage.
In August, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the state government was considering stakeholder feedback. A Main Roads spokesperson said the massacre site remained a significant planning consideration, with a formal memorial or education initiative being considered. Further work is required before the preferred alignment can be confirmed and any decisions regarding project timing or construction can be made.
Cultural Heritage Concerns at Massacre Site
A further complication has been concerns that the proposed route would disturb the site of the Pinjarra Massacre, one of the most brutal attacks on Aboriginal people in WA's history. Scores of Bindjareb Noongar women, men and children were killed by white settlers on the banks of the Murray River in 1834.
Bindjareb woman Karrie-Anne Kearing said her family had worked to keep the site protected for generations. She said that when people go to other countries, they respect the fallen, and that same respect should be shown in Australia for Noongar people who fought for their country and lost their lives. She said that same respect needs to be shown to ancestors or elders who actually lost their lives there.
Economic Concerns for Local Businesses
For others like Bron May, who works in the centre of Pinjarra, there is a potential downside to the proposed bypass. She said they see a lot of visitors to the town who are always taking photos of the big trucks. Ms May said she was concerned visitors would be diverted away from Pinjarra.
The town sits close to a number of major mining projects, including Alcoa's enormous Pinjarra Alumina Refinery, which is about a 10-minute drive from town. The refinery is a key source of the heavy haulage traffic. Residents acknowledge the importance of the mining industry but want the trucks routed away from the town centre to improve safety and reduce noise.
The bypass has been discussed for decades, and residents are frustrated that despite funding commitments, construction has not begun. They point to the daily risks posed by trucks passing schools and businesses. The state government says it is still considering feedback and planning considerations, including the cultural significance of the massacre site. No timeline has been set for the project.
Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Trucks Bypass WA Government Pinjarra Massacre Rita Saffioti Alcoa Refinery
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