Freight Link affected to be 'looked after'
Any residents who are forced out of their homes to make way for the Perth Freight Link will be "generously treated", the West Australian premier has promised.
Dozens of residents in the southern Perth suburb of Palmyra have received letters stating that their homes could be knocked down to make way for the $1.6 billion project connecting Roe Highway to Fremantle Port.
Premier Colin Barnett said on Wednesday that the route had not yet been finalised and criticised Main Roads for sending the letters.
"I don't think that was handled well," he said.
"There remains to be seen how many residents will be affected and the transport minister's also looking at the option of actually tunnelling it.
"We will do all we can to look after the interests of any residents that are affected, but when you do major public works like this, people are going to be affected."
Mr Barnett understood residents were upset about the uncertainty but said they would be treated "fairly and generously" if any property was resumed.
Palmyra resident Tania Smirke told Fairfax radio on Tuesday that she hoped the government was genuine in conidering the tunnelling option to save their homes and wanted something in writing.
"It's consuming all of us in the street," she said.
"We don't want to lose this."
