Stephan Knoll warns $20m Golden Grove Rd upgrade could be delayed if Tea Tree Gully Council doesn’t contribute
A senior Cabinet minister will take the rare step of personally appearing before a suburban council to ask it to financially support a major road upgrade.
North & North East
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Transport Minister Stephan Knoll is taking the unusual step of fronting a council meeting to seek a $2 million contribution towards an upgrade of a major arterial road amid concerns it could be delayed.
Mr Knoll will make a deputation to Tea Tree Gully Council elected members at their October 8 meeting to ask the council to fund new footpaths and drainage works to complement the $20 million upgrade of Golden Grove Rd.
Work began on the upgrade’s first stage this month on the stretch of road between One Tree Hill Rd and The Grove Way, and includes road widening, a new roundabout and on-road bike lanes.
The State Government, which promised $20 million for the upgrade during the 2018 state election campaign, and Tea Tree Gully have been at odds over when the council was approached for funding towards the project.
Mr Knoll said he would go “cap in hand” and ask the council for the funding.
“I am more than happy to share the limelight and show the community two levels of government can come together and work together,” he said.
Mr Knoll said if the council failed to stump up the $2 million, the project could be delayed.
“It could definitely create a delay,” he said.
“That’s why it is so important and that’s why I’m going down to the council myself to impart upon them how important this is to make sure this project continues on as quickly as possible.
“The last thing I want to see is it delayed.”
Mr Knoll said discussions with the council about a possible contribution went back beyond last year’s state election.
“It has been talked about for quite a long time,” he said.
However, a Tea Tree Gully spokesman said the government made its first official request for $2 million in a letter to the council several months ago.
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“Council has been advocating for this project for a long time and welcomes the State Government’s commitment to stage one,” the spokesman said.
“Any decision about council’s contribution will be considered on merit when the report is completed.”
The Messenger reported in June that elected members had laughed off the government’s request for funding when it was raised at a meeting.
A Local Government Association spokesman said he was not aware of a Cabinet Minister previously attending a council meeting under such circumstances.