A local council has been accused by one of its own of "facilitating illegal activities" after it gave approval for Roe 8 protesters to camp on a local reserve.
The City of Cockburn has temporarily permitted protesters to set up base at Bassett Reserve in Bibra Lake.
The site is next to where the state government is clearing bushland to make way for the extension of Roe Highway through Beeliar wetlands - the first stage of the $1.9 billion, federally-backed Perth Freight Link.
Another protester's camp near the Roe 8 land clearing site on North Lake Road was officially closed by the state government on 16 January, prompting protesters to ask the city for permission to relocate to a council reserve.
City of Cockburn chief executive Stephen Cain said the council had been opposed to the Roe 8 development since 2001 and that he sympathised with those who chose to peacefully and lawfully protest against the road's construction.
The council's support comes amid claims protesters set up 'trip wires' at the Roe 8 site on Tuesday, injuring a police horse.
People have also climbed trees and chained themselves to fencing and machinery to try prevent clearing works, which commenced on December 6.
City of Cockburn councillor Steven Portelli strongly opposed the council allowing the protesters camp and claimed it was facilitating illegal activities.
"There's been open fires, cars parked on grass verges...there's footage of it," he said.
"We're facilitating illegal activities in my opinion... the protesters have been pushing down fences and all the other stuff that's on footage, surely that's enough for the camp to be closed down."
The City of Cockburn said the camp would be monitored by rangers to reduce impacts on neighbours and other community members.
Open fires are prohibited by law.
On Wednesday, around 60 people protested peacefully outside the clearing site.
It follows confirmation potentially deadly asbestos had been discovered during testing of the site being prepared for clearing.
Residents had known for years part of the area has been a dumping ground for asbestos and raised concerns to the WA government the dangerous material was getting mulched and blown into nearby homes.
Main Road workers, covered in protective gear, had been on the site recently removing illegally-dumped asbestos.
