The residents of Pinjarra are expressing growing discontent over the significant number of heavy haulage trucks that pass through their town’s main thoroughfares daily.

Many are urging the Western Australian government to fulfill a longstanding commitment to reroute these vehicles away from the town center, a promise that has remained unaddressed for decades.

Currently, the state government indicates that the bypass project is still undergoing planning and development.

On a daily basis, approximately 800 heavy trucks travel through the Peel region of Western Australia, with virtually all of them navigating the main street of Pinjarra, which is situated near schools, cafes, residential areas, and various local businesses.

Located about 80 kilometers south of Perth, Pinjarra has a population of around 6,000 and is near several major mining operations, including Alcoa’s Pinjarra Alumina Refinery, which is only a short drive from the town.

The heavy truck traffic has reignited calls for the revival of plans for a bypass that have been stalled despite substantial funding being allocated for the initiative.

Douglas McLarty, President of the Shire of Murray, remarked on the frequent disruptions caused by the trucks. “We have students, parents, and caregivers encountering heavy haulage every day as they try to reach either of our two schools,” he stated. “The trucks pass so close to parked cars that they nearly graze them and have even knocked over traffic lights.”

This bypass project, which has been under consideration since the 1990s, received $50 million in funding from the state and $200 million from the federal government in 2022. However, the federal government withdrew its financial support in 2023, while the state government reiterated its dedication to the project.

Despite this commitment, three years later, the initiative remains in the planning and approval stages.

Local business owner Caris McClements expressed her concerns regarding the impact of truck traffic on daily life. “We often have to pause conversations with customers because of the noise from passing trucks, or we witness trucks abruptly stopping at crosswalks,” she noted. “There are times when the main street is temporarily closed, causing delays of five to ten minutes for everyone while a large truck goes by.”

David Bolt, the Liberal member for Murray-Wellington, highlighted the increasing danger posed by the situation. “There are issues related to noise and pedestrian crossings,” he stated. “However, the primary concern is the rising number of vehicles, which raises the risk of a significant accident.”

Another layer of complexity has emerged from concerns that the proposed bypass route could disrupt the site of the Pinjarra Massacre, a tragic event in which numerous Bindjareb Noongar individuals were killed by settlers in 1834 along the banks of the Murray River.

Bindjareb woman Karrie-Anne Kearing emphasized the importance of preserving the site, stating, “In other countries, there is respect for those who have fallen; we believe the same respect should be afforded to our ancestors here in our own land, as they fought for it and lost their lives.”

In August, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti mentioned that the state government was taking stakeholder feedback into account, while a spokesperson for Main Roads noted that the massacre site remains a crucial consideration in the planning process, with discussions about a formal memorial or educational initiative underway.

According to a Main Roads representative, “Additional work is necessary before we can confirm the preferred alignment, and no decisions about project timing or construction can be made at this stage.”

Conversely, some residents, such as Bron May, who works in downtown Pinjarra, view the heavy trucks as part of the town’s charm. “We have many visitors who enjoy taking pictures of the large trucks,” she mentioned. “Children often get excited when they see them passing by.”

Ms. May expressed her concerns about the potential loss of visitors if the trucks are diverted away from the town. “Will we lose those visitors if they start using the bypass road instead?” she questioned.