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Changes will be implemented at Hillarys Boat Harbour to improve traffic flow and reduce the impact of boat ramp queuing on the surrounding road network.

Following extensive traffic modelling, harbour manager, the Department of Transport (DoT), will next month trial alternative queuing arrangements for vehicles waiting to use the boat launching facility.

The changes will see queuing traffic diverted within the harbour to assist traffic flow across the facility and limit long queues and unsafe congestion along Hepburn Avenue, Whitfords Avenue and West Coast Drive.

DoT Director of Coastal Facilities Donna West said the new arrangements would be the subject of testing on the weekends of 17-18 April and 24-26 April, 2021 and with officers in place to assist users and monitor the traffic flow.

“If required, immediate adjustments will be made to the network during the testing period,” Ms West said.

“Hillarys is one of the most used boat ramps in the metropolitan area and at peak use times long queues severely impact traffic flow inside the facility and on the surrounding roads.

“DoT has worked closely with the City of Joondalup and Main Roads WA to develop a Traffic Management Plan for Hillarys to address the boat ramp queuing issue and improve the flow of traffic at the harbour.

“As the changes particularly focus on ramp queues it’s important that users observe the new signage on site and follow the revised layout. It’s hoped the modifications will reduce queuing time and give skippers more time on the water, while also generally improving safety across the facility.”
 
For more information about the changes visit our Hillarys facility page. 

 Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au

The Department of Transport has granted regional airline Rex an extension on its current deed of agreement to operate the air services between Perth and Albany, and Perth and Esperance.

Rex’s current five-year deed to service the two routes was due to expire on 27 February 2021 but has been extended until 30 June 2023. 

Department of Transport Director Aviation Peter Ryan said Rex will continue to have exclusive rights to operate the two air routes under the deed, with the same terms and conditions.

“Given the current uncertainty in the aviation market, extending Rex’s agreement to keep operating these flights for the next two years gives certainty to people who travel between Perth, and Albany and Esperance,” Mr Ryan said.

“The extension of Rex’s deed of agreement for the Esperance and Albany air routes to 30 June 2023 aligns them with the current terms of three other fully regulated air routes operating under deeds of agreement, Carnarvon-Monkey Mia and two Northern Goldfields routes, which include the towns of Mt Magnet, Meekatharra, Wiluna, Laverton and Leonora.

“This will allow all five routes to be tendered together once their current terms expire, enabling airlines to consider all regulated air routes at the one time.”

Rex has been providing 14 return flights per week on the Albany route and 13 on the Esperance route.

“Ensuring this current level of service continues is vitally important to ensure local residents have frequent and affordable flights to and from Perth,” Mr Ryan said.

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au

Skippers are being warned there could be delays launching vessels at Woodman Point from later this month as four of the eight boat ramps are temporarily closed for major maintenance works.

Department of Transport (DoT) Director of Coastal Facilities Donna West said the four eastern ramps would be closed from 22 February to 1 April 2021 to allow for  substantial maintenance works including removal and off-site blasting and painting of decking and all steel surfaces as well as on-site blasting of jetty pylons.

“The nature of the work requires low tides which significantly impacted the timing of the closure and scheduling it after the peak holiday season and before Easter was designed to minimise disruption for users,” Ms West said.  

With direct ocean access Woodman Point is one of the busiest boat launching facilities in the metropolitan area with an estimated 35,000 visits a year.

Built in 2008, the eastern ramps and associated finger jetties are now in need of major works to ensure their continued safe use by the recreational boating community.

Ms West said while the western ramps would remain open, delays were anticipated for the duration of the scheduled work on the eastern ramps and skippers should consider launching their vessel at other locations.

“Facility users should also be aware there will be road closures in place and they will need to look out for directional signage that has been installed,” Ms West said.

“The upgrade will deliver a significantly improved facility for users and we ask for their patience and understanding during the refurbishment work.”

For alternative launch ramp locations visit the DoT website. 

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au