THE second stage of the south Bullsbrook industrial area, tipped to be the key to jobs growth in the burgeoning northern corridor, gained support from Swan Council last week.

The Northern Gateway Industrial Park is strategically placed between the Great Northern Highway, Stock Road and future Perth-Darwin Highway route.

The latest approval is for the 190ha western precinct, which borders the Perth-Geraldton Railway line and has the potential to include a major intermodal transport facility.

The approval is contingent upon the developer, Sirona Capital, upgrading Stock Road to a fourlane dual-carriageway road and connecting it to the Perth-Darwin Highway. Sirona Capital will also need to pay for the construction of a bridge crossing of Ellen Brook and grade separation of Stock Road at the freight rail crossing.

The current condition of Stock Road is poor and its present width means two-way traffic requires cars to mount the unsealed shoulder to pass one another. Bullsbrook Residents and Ratepayers Association president Glynn Davies said the community, in general, supported the industrial area.

"I think it's going to give a lot of economic development to the area," he said.

"At the moment, there aren't a lot of employment opportunities available locally so any increase in that area is good for the community."

Mr Davies "said BRRA made submissions requesting that cycling infrastructure and improved public transport are improved in conjunction with the proposed road upgrades.

Swan River Trust expressed concern that ground water is relatively close to the surface, noting that during a storm event a large portion of the site would be flooded.

It said if ground water was not actively managed, sediment could shift and contaminants could end up in the Ellen Brook, a major tributary to the Swan River.