New flood proof access road for Onslow, WA

The Western Australian Government has announced that work on the $14.1 million Onslow Ring Road project will begin this month.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said in a statement the project would provide all weather access to the Onslow town site from the recently upgraded Onslow Airport.

“During cyclones and storm surges, the road can flood, hindering evacuations and obstructing emergency services. This new higher road will alleviate this issue,” Mr Nalder said.

The project, due for completion by April 2016, involves constructing 3.5 kilometres of new highway, including 10 new intersections and remedial works on the existing Onslow Road.

Western Australian Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett also said in the statement the works were funded through the State Development Agreement signed for the Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project, a major liquefied natural gas project 12 kilometres west of Onslow.

“This project is another example of the State Government and industry working together to improve the social, health and economic outlook of the town,” Mr. Barnett said.

Fact File

• The Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project has committed more than $250m to social and critical infrastructure projects in Onslow including health, recreation and utilities.
• The State Government has committed about $70m.
• The Wheatstone Project is a joint venture between the Australian subsidiaries of Chevron, Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company, Woodside Petroleum Limited and Kyushu Electric Power Company, together with PE Wheatstone Pty Ltd, part owned by TEPCO.