Adelaide Hills community leaders say lack of traffic funding in state budget could cost Liberals votes

Adelaide Hills traffic problems have been largely ignored in the state budget, community leaders say, and it could hurt the Liberals next year.

The Liberals are risking a backlash at the ballot box after failing to address Adelaide Hills traffic woes in the state budget, community leaders have warned.

While Tuesday’s budget delivered a further $60 million towards work on the freeway corridor, including further maintenance work on in Heysen Tunnels, community leaders believe the funding has missed the mark.

According to state government transport data, average daily vehicle movement between Bridgewater and Verdun has reached 46,000 vehicles per day, while vehicle movement between Stirling and Bridgewater sits at almost 43,000 vehicles per day.

It prompted calls for a third lane to Mount Barker as well as the return of passenger rain in the Adelaide Hills.

SA Transport Action Group Chair John Hill said the state government’s decision to overlook community concern could be detrimental for the Liberal Government seeking re-election next March.

“The budget is very disappointing and we just can’t understand why there is no understanding of the fact that the freeway is just about at capacity, meaning it will become very dangerous in the future and it’s just not being addressed,” he said.

“There is also no proper rail focus that we can see, and that is important, especially with so much population growth in the Hills.

“I know the government will say that they are putting money towards the Heysen Tunnel, but that’s just maintenance, so it won’t make any difference.

“So all of this could impact how people vote in the next election, there’s no question … as they are just really disregarding the Hills – from a transport perspective – as far as we can see.”

Hills community leaders have voiced their disappointment over a lack of funding in the State Budget to address traffic woes on the South Eastern Freeway. Photo: AAP/Brenton Edwards

Adelaide Hills Council mayor Jan-Claire Wisdom also voiced her disappointment in the budget she said put wants over needs.

“To be honest I’m less interested in upgrading the Strzelecki Track than I am in a new light railway up the freeway corridor,” she said.

“If we want to make good use of low interest rates then lets build what we need such as a northern rail/road bypass and not just what we want such as a new entertainment centre.”

Ms Wisdom said the budget had also fallen short in delivering vital community services to Hills residents.

“There are some initiatives in the business sector which may help Hills businesses and that’s good, but we need more small-scale tourism infrastructure, such as toilets, barbecues, shade, seating, rubbish bins and events funding, which was absent,” she said.

“A focus on mental health services is also good although I didn’t see anything specific for the Hills region.

“We know from our own surveys that our residents’ key concerns are bushfire mitigation and ongoing recovery, our environment and the impact of climate change on future natural disasters.

“So I would have liked to have seen some new initiatives for emergency services provisions, community resilience and environmental restoration.”

Kavel MP Dan Cregan defended the state government’s budget allocations.

He said the government had continued its record investment in the Adelaide Hills, including allocation of $8.6 million towards the previously announced emergency department at Mount Barker Hospital.

A total of $7.3 million has also been allocated towards a new Regional Aquatic Centre in Mount Barker.

The Adelaide Hills Council also received $727,000 for sustainable water management in the Hills, while the National Motor Museum in Birdwood will receive $530,000 to upgrade airconditioning.