Oakajee Narngulu Industrial Corridor: Shire urges Saffioti to complete land acquisitions

Chapman Valley Shire is urging WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti to survey the Oakajee Narngulu Industrial Corridor and complete land acquisitions. Shire president Anthony Farrell said landowners linked by the ONIC had had their land “sterilised” for 15-20 years while waiting for the WA Government to finalise the matter. “We would encourage the State to move forward now the preferred Dongara Geraldton Northampton Transport Corridor, which incorporates the ONIC, has been chosen to address these landowners’ issues,” he said. Agricultural Region Member Laurie Graham said he continued to push for the route to be finalised so the WA Government could buy the land for the ONIC at the “earliest possible time”. “These properties have been negatively affected by the planning process for the last 15 years and the landowners deserve prompt resolution,” he said. Their comments came after Ms Saffioti released her preferred Dongara Geraldton Northampton heavy haulage bypass route late last week. Irwin Shire president Mike Smith and City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said they were unable to comment until they had discussed the proposal with their councils. Northampton Shire president Craig Simkin was unavailable.