The Federal Government is assisting South Australian councils to improve road safety and reduce long-term road maintenance with the latest round of the Special Local Roads Program.
The $21.7 million funding boost will be allocated to 34 projects across the state.
Unique to South Australia, the program enables South Australia’s 68 councils to pool together a portion of their federal road funding and distribute it through competitive grants.
The Federal Government said that the initiative supports the delivery of high priority projects that would otherwise exceed an individual council’s capacity – with $17.9 million from this round flowing to regional and rural roads, and $3.8 million to metro projects.
Stretching from the Lower Eyre Peninsula to the Limestone Coast, projects will improve road safety, boost tourist access to key parts of the state, and help reduce congestion.
Works will include resealing and reconstruction of roads, shoulder widening, and improvements to kerbs and gutters.
Funding includes $993,000 to complete the third and final stage of the Billiatt Road reconstruction in the District Council of Loxton Waikerie.
As the gateway to the Billiatt Conservation Park and the main tourism route in the region, the works will seal and widen the road from 6.2m to 7.6m to accommodate increased traffic, including road trains.
Improving the safety of Hawker Street at Brompton is something the local community has long called for – with $600,000 flowing to the City of Charles Sturt to reconstruct the road and upgrade street lighting.
The City of Holdfast Bay will receive $200,000 to improve the safety of the emu school crossing on Partridge Street at Glenelg, and to upgrade the roundabout at Colley Terrace and Anzac Highway, which will reduce congestion.
The Federal Government said it is delivering significant funding increases nationally to support local councils deliver their priority projects.
The Roads to Recovery program is progressively increasing from $500 million to $1 billion per year, with South Australian councils receiving $395 million over five years – an increase of $153 million.
The Road Black Spot Program is increasing to $150 million per year, and $200 million per year is available under our new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program – with both programs open for applications year-round.
Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain, said that the $21.7 million will improve the safety of local road networks across the state, making it easier to drop the kids off at school and for tourists to experience everything that South Australia has to offer.
“We know that roads across regional South Australia are not only under more demand than ever, but critical to keeping our supply chains moving – which is why the bulk of this round’s investment is targeting high-priority regional upgrades.”
South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Tom Koutsantonis, said, “We welcome any initiative designed to help councils reduce the maintenance task on local government-owned roads.
“This innovative funding solution from the Federal Government will support councils in maintaining and improving South Australia’s critical local roads network – and that will provide a broader benefit that extends beyond individual council areas.”
South Australian Minister for Local Government, Joe Szakacs, said South Australian councils, particularly smaller, regional councils, are constantly balancing service and infrastructure delivery against the growth of rates.
“Through these merit-based grants, councils have a chance to undertake important road improvements they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford.
“This is a terrific initiative, unique to South Australia, that sees all three levels of government working hand-in-hand to deliver the best outcomes for South Australians.”
Local Government Association (LGA) South Australia President, Mayor Dean Johnson, said that councils do an incredible job improving and maintaining South Australia’s local road network, but it’s a costly process that’s reliant on support from other levels of government.
“The $21.7 million allocated through the Special Local Roads Program this year – which LGA is pleased to facilitate for our councils – will help enhance liveability in local communities and make our roads safer and more accessible.”
District Council of Loxton Waikerie Mayor, Trevor Norton, said, “The Billiatt Road project has been ongoing for several years and we’re extremely excited to enter the final stage.
“These works have been made possible by previous Special Local Roads Program funding and we’re grateful to again be a recipient under this latest round to complete the vital reconstruction of the road for our community and visitors to our region.
“Once finished, Billiatt Road will be better equipped to handle increased freight and tourist traffic, making it safer for locals, workers and visitors travelling to and from the Riverland.”
