State abandons plans to widen Guildford Rd

Plans to widen a section of Guildford Road have been scrapped by the state government, following a recommendation by the Western Australian Planning Commission.

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti said today she was delivering on the Labor government's election commitment to abandon the upgrades after community concern arose over potential impacts on homes, businesses and heritage when it was announced earlier this year by the previous state government.

The WAPC issued its report to the government earlier this week, stating that significant concerns had been raised through the consultation process and, as such, it considered the planning minister should withdraw the amendment.

“Further work is required to assess the concerns raised and investigate any further requirements for the upgrade of this section of Guildford Road, including consideration of what improvements could be provided for within the existing reservation,” the commission said in its recommendation.

Ms Saffioti said the amendment process was required by law to be completed in full before a decision could be finalised.

“The amendment process was completed as quickly as possible, in line with State planning legislation,” she said.

"This decision gives landowners certainty on the future of their properties."

The upgrades, which were announced in January, would have involved the widening of a five-kilometre stretch of Guildford Road between East Parade and Tonkin Highway, which angered residents in the area who argued that they would lose a significant portion of their land.