Calls for of upgrade Greenock and Samuel roads intersection at Nuriootpa denied

A Barossa Valley intersection – which has been the scene of 15 accidents in five years – will not be fixed with community calls for an upgrade falling flat.

The aftermath of an accident at the intersection which occurred on December 28 last year.

Calls from Nuriootpa residents and local MP Tony Piccolo to upgrade a Barossa Valley intersection they say is unsafe have fallen flat.

The junction of Greenock and Samuel roads at Nuriootpa has been the scene of 15 vehicle collisions in the past five years, according to SA police.

It included an accident on December 28 where a passenger had to be cut free from their vehicle.

Mr Piccolo said, upon hearing of the dangers of the intersection from local residents and transport operators, he wrote to state Transport and Infrastructure Minister Corey Wingard.

Mr Wingard replied that the department of Transport and Infrastructure had analysed the intersection and that analysis of the road revealed a “low level of crashes which does not highlight this intersection for an upgrade based on safety grounds.”

The aftermath of an accident at the intersection which occurred on December 28 last year.

Nuriootpa resident Tommy Gerlach said he had seen multiple accidents at the intersection in recent years.

He said that trucks, which use the intersection as part of a freight route, had been seen “missing the intersection and going through without giving way”.

“Is it going to take someone to be killed for someone to be killed for safety to be taken seriously?” Mr Gerlach said.

Local mum Julie Dier who has lived on the corner of the intersection for nine years, says that drivers on the intersection are ignoring road rules.

“It is a busy intersection and people think that Samuel Road is a 60 zone when it’s actually 50, the signage could use some work, it’s confusing if you don’t drive here daily.” said Ms Dier.

“It would be nice for the kids not to hear a bang and say, oh there’s another accident mum.”

Rana Noman has worked at the petrol station at the intersection for six months said he has seen four accidents, including two in recent weeks.

“Us petrol station workers are always the first to respond to accidents and call ambulances and first responders,” said Mr Noman.
“ I think it’s an unsafe intersection, particularly coming from the eastern Samuel road side, there’s not enough visibility.”

Light Regional Council Deputy Mayor Deane Rohrlach said the issue had not been raised at council meetings but there had been previous funding for roundabouts at other intersections along Samuel Road.

“Roundabouts aren’t cheap and generally cost around 1.5 million dollars,” Mr Rohrlach said.

“But for starters having a stop sign on one side of the intersection and a give way on the other needs some investigating, perhaps we can work with the other council on this.”

Light Mayor Bill O’Brien said because Samuel Road is a busy bypass, something must be done.

The intersection at Greenock and Samuel road which locals say is dangerous.

The intersection sits near the border of the neighbouring Barossa Council and Mayor Bim Lange said, despite the proximity, the intersection remains the responsibility of Light.

“Upgrading that intersection is an urgent road safety issue, I know that intersection really well and it’s confusing,” said Mr Lange.

“We can’t use our rate payers money towards upgrading a road that’s not in our council, but as it’s a State Government intersection, we would strongly support a joint submission to the state government with the Light Regional Council for an upgrade.”