People power against Perth Freight Link

Issue 
Protest to save the Beeliar Wetlands, Fremantle.

The campaign against the Perth Freight Link freeway continues to gather momentum with more than 3000 people participating in its contingent at the Fremantle Festival Parade on November 1 and a similar number converging on the Beeliar Wetlands on November 22.

The Rethink Perth Freight Link Alliance has now linked 32 organisations opposed to the freeway and in support of alternative transport solutions, including better public transport, more freight on rail and the building of a second container port in Cockburn Sound.

On November 24 and 27 Main Roads WA sent drill rigs to the Beeliar Wetlands, prompting sit-down protests by community members determined to block its path. So far 1500 people have signed a pledge committing to do whatever it takes to block construction of the freeway.

On November 30 the Save Beeliar Wetlands group began court action in the Supreme Court to challenge the legality of the approval given to Roe 8, the first stage of the freeway. The lawyer for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conceded that the approval had breached the EPA's own policy regarding "environmental offsets" but argued that it was not bound by its own policy. The Chief Justice has reserved his decision until a later date.

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