No rapid solution to traffic woes facing school

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River Cr Brian Daniel has had vindication of sorts, with councillors shrugging off a report outlining a lack of options to fast-track second access to Rapids Landing Primary School. The ongoing logjam for residents and commuters to the school was a hot issue in the lead-up to October’s local government election after a bid to upscale a boutique supermarket site was rejected by the then-council majority. Cr Daniel mounted a passionate defence for building a full-line Coles or Woolworths and speciality shops in Rapids Landing, and criticised colleagues showing little interest in finding a solution to commuters’ ongoing nightmare. The new report, ordered as a result of October’s debate, confirmed the only real prospect was waiting on the Lester Group to extend access to Leschenaultia Drive and John Archibald Drive. The Shire had no controls in place over when the second access could be built. Cr Ian Earl, who was Shire president during October’s debate of the supermarket bid, was the only member to speak last week, saying any chance for quicker access was “lost” when that motion was defeated. “The best chance they (residents) have got is some time in the middle of 2023 before that happens,” he said. Rapids Landing Primary School principal Lisa Helenius previously warned urgent action was needed. “We find it remarkable that after almost four years of operation there is still only one entry and exit and that we do not have all perimeter roads constructed around our school,” she said. A school survey found an overwhelming number of parents were very concerned about road access, with bushfire risk the mostly frequently cited fear. In addition, 55 per cent of commuters cited accidents or near-misses. At October’s meeting, then-councillor Naomi Godden said the developer yoking the access upgrade to upscaling the commercial hub was akin to “blackmail”. The Shire report said other options carried “significant expense and could set an undesirable precedent for non-conventional Shire funding of developer requirements”. “The options available would not necessarily result in the road being extended any more quickly than would otherwise be the case,” report author Matt Cuthbert said. “Continuing to seek that the developer fulfil reasonable infrastructure delivery responsibilities is the only course of action within current budget limitations and equity considerations.” Planners said the commercial precinct was always considered “a small local neighbourhood supermarket” and did not support the upscale bid. The application would more than double the size of the endorsed 1500sqm supermarket and boost retail space from 6000sqm to 7800sqm. The WA Planning Commission will make the final decision. In October, former deputy Shire president Pauline McLeod said the Shire should build the road and send the Lester Group the bill.