WA won't rush on freight link: Barnett

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says the state won't be rushed into making a decision on stage two of the controversial Perth Freight Link, despite federal funding hinging on work being underway next year.

Mr Barnett said he welcomed commonwealth involvement and funding towards the $1.6 billion project, but insisted it was the WA government's responsibility to manage the timeline and specifics.

"These projects should never be rushed. They've got to be done carefully and properly and until we make those big policy decisions, we won't be charging ahead," Mr Barnett told 6PR on Wednesday.

WA Road Transport Association chief executive Ian King criticised Mr Barnett's handling of the project, accusing him of putting the state at risk of losing federal infrastructure funding and saying the group won't support a toll road if only the Roe 8 component is built.

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan called on the state government to abandon its plans for the project's second stage and reformulate a plan based around a new port facility further south at Kwinana, given Fremantle port is nearing capacity.

"The plan is faulty and there is a better long-term solution," Mr McGowan told reporters.