It has been two years since bulldozers tore a scar through bush near the Beeliar Wetlands, south of Perth.

Key points: The Roe 8 extension was designed as a freight route to Fremantle

The Roe 8 extension was designed as a freight route to Fremantle It was scrapped after community opposition following the 2017 election

It was scrapped after community opposition following the 2017 election But the Opposition has vowed to put it back on the table in 2021

For dozens of volunteers rehabilitating the site, fresh plantings have provided a sense of relief from the memory of a hard-fought battle.

They hope it provides a barrier to the four-lane highway which was set to tear through the land.

But a little over two years since construction was called off and protests died down, politicians are again gearing up for another battle over Roe 8, which has left both sides on tenterhooks about the future.

Simmering tensions have become more apparent after the WA Opposition recently outlined its intention to make it a key issue ahead of the next state election.

Fresh memories of protest arrests

Sally Marsh, 68, was one of the protesters bundled into the back of a police car at the site in Coolbellup in 2017.

She had never been arrested before.

"It was a hard day. First time in my life. But I'd do it again if it was needed," she said.

More than 200 people were arrested at protests in 2017. ( ABC News: Andrew O'Connor )

Ms Marsh is the convenor of the Cockburn Community Wildlife Corridor group and is rehabilitating a site razed by bulldozers before the last election.

She said it was hard to return to the spot.

"It's funny, it's just this area. I feel a little bit emotional about this particular area," she said.

Sally Marsh spends every odd weekend helping plant trees at the site. ( ABC News: Benjamin Gubana )

"Today, replanting this area just feels a little bit different. But that's okay, we'll move on.

"I'm passionate about protecting this land."

Saving lives, not trees

A sharp divide still exists between both camps.

And, despite the best wishes of campaigners, there are still many who support the proposal, with some residents in Perth's south saying traffic congestion and safety concerns are still rife.

Jarron Baker lives just off Leach Highway in Willagee and would like to see the development go ahead.

"It would be a lot easier for local commuters going to school and dropping kids off," he said.

Jarron Baker says traffic and safety concerns on Leach Highway are paramount. ( ABC News: Benjamin Gubana )

"Because as you can see there's a lot of trucks. They're flat out, from 6:30 in the morning they start rolling and you get all the kids and all the mums running around everywhere.

"And less trucks on these highways around here, and more on a designated transport route, has got to be only a win-win for people.

"A lot safer, a lot more environmentally friendly and a lot safer for the young families."

Local residents say trucks need to be diverted from the busy Leach Highway. ( ABC News: Benjamin Gubana )

Mr Baker said the project was about saving lives, not trees.

"You've got kids, you've got dogs, you've got people making last-minute turning decisions — I'm surprised totally that one of the trucks hasn't taken out a whole car."

Campaigners confident of future support

The McGowan Government has boosted incentives to get freight on rail, and there are plans to build another container terminal south of Fremantle.

Meanwhile, changes to the Metropolitan Region Scheme — which would see the area rezoned and the prospect of a road all but banned — still need to pass Parliament's Upper House, which could prove difficult.

Dozens turned up to a community planting event to help with the rehabilitation project. ( ABC News: Benjamin Gubana )

But Kim Dravnieks, one of the main campaigners during the 2017 protests, said there was an abundance of support for the cause.

"We were classed as the hippies. I'm sorry, I'm not a hippy," she said.

"So many academics came out, so many businesses, small businesses, all sorts of people came out and said: 'No this is wrong, this is not what we have a government for'."

Kim Dravnieks is confident the issue has been put to bed. ( ABC News: Benjamin Gubana )

The rehabilitation group plans to plant 35,000 trees along the corridor this year, increasing to 100,000 next year.

Alison Wright from the Save Beeliar Wetlands group said the protests had been traumatic for all involved.

"It was really distressing on a number of levels," she said.

"We were really concerned about the loss of habitat for significantly endangered animals.

"I really wish they would take a step back and look at the really good reasons why the road was stopped."

Hundreds of trees were planted to try and regenerate the site. ( ABC News: Benjamin Gubana )

Truck drivers 'experiencing problems now'

Adam Williams runs trucking company Superscoop Transport and said the road extension was not only important, but inevitable.

"Roe 8 would change a lot for everyone," he said.

"Not only for [truck] transport, but for the cars it would free up Leach Highway.

"It's got to happen."

Mr Williams said the plans for the outer harbour were not sufficient because truck drivers were experiencing problems now.

Adam Williams says the road extension cannot wait. ( ABC News: Benjamin Gubana )

"The [Fremantle] wharf has got potential to 2050," he said.

"We needed Roe 8 two, three, four, five years ago.

"As usual road developments in WA are 10 years behind and when they do develop it, it's usually undersized.

"We don't have a choice — Roe 8 needs to happen, for the moment, to see us out for the next 10, 15, 20 years.

Truck drivers say the extension of Roe Highway is necessary for the future. ( ABC News: Andrew O'Connor )

"Until then, if it doesn't, we're going to have major problems. We're having problems now."

Those pushing for progress in the area are prepared to fight for the cause, but some campaigners are confident the issue has already been put to bed.

"I think there's a lot of posturing," Ms Dravnieks said.

"But really, it's old hat. It's done and dusted."