Federal Liberal MP Ben Morton has vowed to make the Roe 8 extension an issue at the next State election as the WA Government’s plan to erase the project from the planning books faces a roadblock in the Upper House.

Passage of a proposed Bill to enforce the rezoning was relying on the crucial vote of Liberal Democrat MLC Aaron Stonehouse, but he revealed yesterday he would block the move.

The crossbencher’s decision has opened the door for WA Liberals to ramp up their rhetoric on developing the Roe Highway extension to Fremantle port.

Mr Morton said there was still a $1.2 billion commitment by the Morrison Government to fund the project but he couldn’t force the funding down the throat of the State.

“They have to be sensible enough to consider it and take it,” he said.

“What I can do is make it a significant issue come the next State election, and I will.”

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti said the State had not given up on a Bill to remove Roe 8 from the Metropolitan Region Scheme and could still change the minds of crossbenchers.

“We had an election commitment and that was not to build Roe 8, to create a parks and recreation reserve and to use that money to build an enormous amount of roads through the suburbs and the regions,” she said. “There were some initial briefings held with crossbenchers and we’ll continue those and we believe it is worth having that discussion.

“We’ve seen before and I’ve seen it through the taxi legislation (and) strata titles that people make particular comments but once they see all the facts they sometimes change their mind.”

Ms Saffioti said the State’s plan was to move more freight on rail rather than road.

“When you step back and look at the entire picture and that is a new port, more freight on rail currently to Fremantle port ... Roe 8 doesn’t make sense,” she said.

A previous $1.8 billion was diverted from Perth Freight Link funding by the Federal Government to other projects the State says have created 6000 jobs.

A State task force investigating future trade needs and port infrastructure is soon to release 24 options for how WA could meet the demand.

A Westport spokeswoman said Roe 8 was not included in its deliberations.

“As there is a Bill currently before Parliament to remove the Roe 8 reservation from the Metropolitan Region Scheme, Westport has not considered this corridor in our assessments,” she said.

Mr Stonehouse said the State Government could try its luck bringing the legislation forward.

“If they want to bring the Bill on the Upper House and watch it get voted down, it’s up to them,” he said.