Applecross Residents Warn High-Density Development Will Turn Canning Highway into a Carpark
Residents of Applecross and surrounding suburbs in the City of Melville have voiced strong opposition to proposed high-density housing developments along Canning Highway, warning that the plans will exacerbate existing traffic problems and effectively turn the major arterial road into a permanent carpark. The growing discontent culminated in a decisive vote at the city's annual general meeting of electors on February 2, where attendees overwhelmingly supported postponing the developments.
Electors Vote Overwhelmingly to Halt Development
At the meeting, electors voted 21-1 in favour of a motion calling for increases in high-density housing along Canning Highway and between Stock and Reynolds roads to be postponed and relocated to alternative corridors such as Leach Highway and South Street. This vote reflects a broader concern among residents about the impact of infill development on local infrastructure and quality of life.
Dr Graham Mahony, a resident of Attadale, highlighted the severity of the traffic issues during the meeting. "It took me 54 minutes to travel from Hislop Road to Canning Bridge the other day. Fifty-four minutes. Why? Because of the traffic in the morning," he said. Dr Mahony described the number of high-rise developments as "unprecedented" and urged the community to examine the problem in depth.
Traffic Studies Predict Capacity Crisis
Concerns are backed by official studies commissioned by the City of Melville. A 2022 study found that Canning Highway between Canning Bridge and Riseley Street would be beyond capacity by 2031. A follow-up report in 2023 confirmed "major congestion" during peak periods, particularly between Riseley Street and Kwinana Freeway, with unreliable journey times for bus services.
Applecross resident Karen Horn cited these reports, noting that residents already experience commutes of at least 40 minutes for an eight-minute bus journey from Riseley Street to Canning Bridge during peak hour. "Infill in feeder suburbs and along Canning Highway will realistically bring forward its over-capacity," she warned.
Proposed Solutions and Community Alternatives
Main Roads has proposed "duck and dives" at Canning Highway intersections, which would move four lanes of traffic underground. While land along the highway has been earmarked for widening, a major upgrade is not planned for the next four years. Ms Horn argued that such upgrade options, involving tunnels, would limit development opportunities and cause significant inconvenience during construction.
Instead, residents advocate for redirecting development to Leach Highway, which offers six lanes, access to the freeway and Bull Creek Station, and robust bus services. "The community around Canning Highway is not saying 'never' for densification. When Canning Highway has undergone a major upgrade, there will be no disagreement with a return to development," Ms Horn clarified.
City Officials Outline Current and Future Measures
City director environment and infrastructure Jim Coten addressed the meeting, acknowledging the "intensification" of residential development but assuring that each project must demonstrate it can be accommodated within the existing traffic network without causing failures. He outlined strategies from the Canning Bridge activity centre plan, which aims to shift the precinct away from car dependence by:
- Improving public transport
- Prioritising walking and cycling
- Maintaining a clear movement hierarchy
- Delivering targeted infrastructure upgrades
Current efforts to reduce congestion include signalised intersections along Canning Highway, a "smart freeway" north of the area to smooth morning peak flow, and bus priority lanes. Proposed measures involve smart freeway upgrades to reduce peak-hour delays and additional bus stands at the Canning Bridge interchange to alleviate traffic flow.
Specific Concerns and Pending Decisions
Dr Mahony raised a specific issue about a bus stop at the intersection of Canning Highway and Sleat Road, which he said creates a traffic bottleneck and hazard. Mr Coten noted that the Public Transport Authority had moved the bus stop in 2020 to encourage public transport use and that the city has forwarded the request for further review.
The electors' motion will now be considered at a future City of Melville council meeting, as residents continue to push for a reassessment of development priorities to address the pressing traffic concerns on Canning Highway.
