Published on Wednesday, 16 April 2025 at 9:49:05 AM
The Shire of Esperance manages the largest road network of any local government in Western Australia and has carried out significant improvements to local road infrastructure. Guided by community feedback from the 2023 MARKYT Community Scorecard, the Shire has focused on fixing, upgrading, grading, and sealing Local Distributor and Access roads to improve safety and efficiency. Key initiatives include investing in rural roads and advocating for Main Roads WA to upgrade the South Coast Highway.
With responsibility for 4,573.5 km of local road network, the Shire prioritises work based on traffic volume, usage, and condition, ensuring that resources are used effectively to support modern living and sustainable services. Meanwhile, Main Roads WA are responsible for highways and main roads – the state road network.
To deliver an efficient and safe local road network, the Shire focuses on resurfacing and maintenance of existing roads. This includes addressing wear and tear, potholes, and other surface damage that can pose safety risks. Some key areas are:
Maintenance Schedules: Road maintenance is organised based on traffic volume and road conditions. By responsibly allocating budgets, we ensure that all roads remain in good condition, which reduces the likelihood of accidents and enhances overall driving comfort.
Intersections & Key Transport Routes: The redesign and upgrade of the Fisheries Road / Bandy Creek Road Intersection with road widening, a turn lane and bright street lighting has improved traffic flow, and reduced congestion and collision risk. Work has begun on the Goldfields Road / Fisheries Road Intersection.
- Myrup Road was reconstructed and widened, with major culvert works and sealing shoulders to improve drainage.
- Fisheries Road, approx. 120km of road from Esperance to the end of the bitumen received sealed shoulders and audio tactile line marking, making it a wider and more forgiving road environment.
Signage: We are working to improve signage and traffic signals to provide local and visiting drivers with clear guidance, thereby reducing the risk of accidents. Consultation is now open for the Esperance Tourism Signage & Pedestrian Wayfinding Strategy, and we encourage the community to give their feedback by the 25 April deadline.
Rural Roads: Rural roads are essential for keeping remote areas connected and supporting our agriculture industry - and they haven’t been forgotten. Since 2023, the Shire has continued to invest in making rural roads safer and more reliable all year round. Here’s what’s been done:
- In 2023/2024, 134.39 km of gravel roads were re-sheeted, and
- 50 km of sealed roads were built or upgraded.
Communication: Since 2023, the Shire of Esperance has significantly increased communication about road projects, keeping the community and businesses informed on road work and conditions.
- A comprehensive Road Report is prominently featured on the Shire homepage. This Report is accessible in both map and table formats, improving information clarity. Residents can sign up to receive an email notification when new road advice is added to the Road Report.
- The Shire also regularly publishes Road and Project Updates on social media and in Latest News Stories on the Shire Website, keeping the community informed about road works and programs.
Road Wise Council: In 2023, the Shire became a Road Wise Council, working with WALGA to proactively engage, motivate, adopt and apply policies and practices that make an effective and sustainable contribution to achieving National and State road safety objectives and targets. Council also endorsed the Road Safety Management Plan in April 2024 to help deliver an efficient and safe road network.
Advocacy: The Shire continues to advocate directly to Main Roads WA, highlighting:
- highway upgrades with more passing lanes; and
- the need to undertake a Transport Corridor Upgrade Plan for Harbour Road.
Significant upgrades have been made by the Shire, improving major roads that connect our far-flung region, supporting increased traffic flow, and ensuring that roads can handle the heavy vehicles essential to local industries such as agriculture and tourism.
The Shire of Esperance's efforts since 2023 have improved the local road infrastructure, making travel safer and more efficient for everyone. By prioritising road maintenance, upgrading key routes, involving the community, and considering environmental impacts, the Shire has laid a strong foundation for continued progress. As these projects unfold, residents can look forward to even better road conditions and enhanced connectivity across the region.
The 2023 MARKYT® Community Perception Scorecard will start landing in your letterboxes from 5 May, and is the perfect opportunity to get your message across to the Shire and Council.
The survey is conducted by an independent research company, CATALYSE®, with all responses and comments dealt with in the strictest confidence. When reporting results CATALYSE® only presents aggregated data. The Shire does not have access to any information from individual respondents.
Stay up to date with the latest information on the 2025 MARKYT Community Scorecard here.
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