Ordinary Meeting of Council 12 December 2018 4.1 CLASSIFICATION REVIEW OF GNANGARA ROAD Ward: (Pearce and Whiteman Wards) (Asset Management) Disclosure of Interest: Nil Authorised Officer: (Executive Manager Operations) KEY ISSUES • Gnangara Road is currently a Local Road under the care and control of the City of Swan. • Main Roads WA (MRWA) has recently undertaken a review of Gnangara Road and recommends reclassification of the route as a State Road from Alexander Drive to Tonkin Highway (NorthLink). • The City supports the reclassification of Gnangara Road as a State Road. It provides a strategic east-west link across the northern metropolitan area and is the main transport link into Ellenbrook. • The reclassification would result in MRWA taking over management of the road, including maintenance and upgrading, which is financially beneficial to the City. It is recommended that the City write to MRWA to provide in principle support for the reclassification of Gnangara Road as a State Road from Alexander Drive to Tonkin Highway and also request the reclassification be extended to the intersection of Gnangara Road and Drumpellier Drive. BACKGROUND Gnangara Road is currently a Local Road under the care and control of the City of Swan. It provides a strategic east-west link across the northern metropolitan area and is the main transport link into Ellenbrook. The City has recently completed works to dual the road to accommodate the rapidly increasing traffic volumes. This growth is expected to continue as further urban development occurs. In 2010, the City of Swan in conjunction with the City of Wanneroo commenced advocating for the reclassification of Gnangara Road as a State Road. This matter was considered by Council on 30 June 2010, where Council resolved to: Page 1 Ordinary Meeting of Council 12 December 2018 1) Support the request to have Gnangara Road reclassified from a Local Government Road to a State Road and prepare a submission to Main Roads Western Australia on this matter. 2) Write to the Member for West Swan and the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Wanneroo and advise them accordingly. Main Roads WA (MRWA) has recently undertaken a review of Gnangara Road against its Future State Roads assessment criteria. MRWA wrote to the City on 23 October 2018 recommending reclassification of the route as a State Road from the City’s western boundary road Alexander Drive to the Tonkin Highway intersection (currently under construction as part of the NorthLink project). The City has also discussed with MRWA the possibility of the section of Gnangara Road to the east of Tonkin Highway to the Drumpellier Drive intersection also being reclassified as a State Road. MRWA have advised that this section of road will be reviewed for consideration as a State Road in coming years. DETAILS Reclassification of Gnangara Road from Alexander Drive to Tonkin Highway would result in the management responsibility of this section of road being transferred to MRWA. MRWA would therefore be responsible for maintenance and upgrade of this portion of road, which is financially beneficial to the City. MRWA have advised they are prepared to take over management, subject to the following conditions: • The road being in a condition acceptable to MRWA; and, • The City of Swan giving consent to the transfer. MRWA have advised that if Council provide formal in-principle support, they will contact the City to discuss the process in more detail and determine a formal handover date. It is recommended that the Council support this reclassification in principle. CONSULTATION Staff have met with MRWA to discuss this matter on several occasions. ATTACHMENTS Nil STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS An objective of the City’s Strategic Community Plan is to provide sustainable transport options for the community into the future. Page 2 Ordinary Meeting of Council 12 December 2018 STATUTORY IMPLICATIONS Nil FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The reclassification would result in Main Roads taking over management of the road, including maintenance and upgrading, which is financially beneficial to the City. VOTING REQUIREMENTS Simple majority RECOMMENDATION That the Council resolve to: 1) Write to Main Roads WA to provide in principle support for the reclassification of Gnangara Road as a State Road from Alexander Drive to Tonkin Highway and also request that the reclassification be extended to the intersection of Gnangara Road and Drumpellier Drive. MOTION that the Council resolve to: 1) Write to Main Roads WA to provide in principle support for the reclassification of Gnangara Road as a State Road from Alexander Drive to Tonkin Highway and also request that the reclassification be extended to the intersection of Gnangara Road and Drumpellier Drive. 2) That Main Road undertake another review of the speed limit on Gnangara Rd from Alexander Drive to Drumpellier Drive with a view of returning the original two lane road speed limit to 90kph considering that it is now a much safer lane separated road. (Cr Henderson – Cr Jones) RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY TO: 1) Write to Main Roads WA to provide in principle support for the reclassification of Gnangara Road as a State Road from Alexander Drive to Tonkin Highway and also request that the reclassification be extended to the intersection of Gnangara Road and Drumpellier Drive. 2) That Main Road undertake another review of the speed limit on Gnangara Road from Alexander Drive to Drumpellier Drive with a view of returning the original two lane road speed limit to 90kph considering that it is now a much safer lane separated road. Page 3 .