Fair Go for Our Regions: Call for more State Government cash to improve road safety in South Australia’s Far North

‘Bulldust holes’ and corrugation that can send cars off veering off towards the side of the road – these issues have become part of daily life for those living in SA’s Outback.

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“Bulldust holes” and corrugation that can send cars veering off towards the side of the road – these issues have become part of daily life for those living in SA’s Outback.

Locals are calling for more State Government investment in roads that are major transport routes for people living in remote areas such as William Creek and Oodnadatta, along with the tourists that travel there to experience life in the Outback.

John Knight and his partner Caroline Thomas live at Evelyn Downs – a cattle station about midway between Coober Pedy and Marla – and said the poor state of local roads was among the biggest infrastructure issues associated with life in the state’s Far North.

Corrugation and ‘bulldust holes’ – ditches in the road filled with dust – were the most common problems on the region’s transport routes, which were not graded often enough, leading to breakdowns and accidents.

“Our vehicles just get slaughtered – you wouldn’t believe how bad these roads can be,” Mr Knight said.

Pastoralists John Knight and partner Caroline Thomas from Evelyn Downs station pictured at The Breakaways, outside Coober Pedy. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Some of the region’s “hideous” roads were so bad “you couldn’t take a fully loaded truck on them – you’ll tip it over”, Mr Knight said.

More State Government investment was needed into the upkeep of rural roads, including money to more regularly grade thoroughfares.

“At some point those roads will become so bad they won’t be able to fix them,” Mr Knight said.

William Creek Hotel owner Trevor Wright said William Creek Rd and the Oodnadatta Track, between William Creek and Marree, needed more attention, featuring ridges and potholes that put drivers at risk of losing control of their vehicles. Accidents could carry particularly serious consequences because there was no phone reception and few passers-by to come to drivers’ aid.

When The Advertiser visited, it did not come across a single car during the 2 ½ hour journey from Coober Pedy to William Creek.

“A lot of the problem is drivers not used to dirt roads with corrugations and losing control of the motor vehicle by overcorrecting,” Mr Wright said, adding locals had previously responded to a triple-rollover on the Oodnadatta Track.

The hotel’s head housekeeper Rose Broughton, who also runs the front bar, said tourists could easily come into trouble. Transport Minister Stephan Knoll was contacted for comment.