Onkaparinga Council welcomes state budget funding for Flagstaff Rd, criticises increase in dumping fees
If you live in Adelaide’s largest council district, there were some real state budget highs — and one very big low.
Onkaparinga Council has welcomed State Government funding to add an extra lane to Flagstaff Rd — but has taken another swipe at its increase to the solid waste levy.
The government announced in the state budget that it would provide further funding to create a fourth lane on Flagstaff Rd, bringing total amount of funding for the project to $32.9 million.
In its 2018 budget, the government allocated $6.4 million to the project, which would make the road a permanent, two-lane dual carriage way.
Part of Flagstaff Rd is currently three lanes, with the middle lane, between Main South Rd and Bonneyview Rd, changing direction in peak hours.
Residents and community groups have campaigned for the extra lane for at least a decade, arguing the road was confusing and unsafe.
Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson said the community had been “agitating for the duplication of Flagstaff Rd for a long time”.
“We’re highly supportive of this announcement — as I’m sure many of our residents are — which will greatly improve safety and reduce traffic congestion for the thousands of road users who use Flagstaff Rd every day,” Mrs Thompson said.
The council also welcomed a $305 million commitment to duplicate Main South Rd from Seaford to Aldinga.
“The traffic volume will continue to increase along this route with the surrounding areas growing and southern Adelaide attracting more visitors, so this is a great outcome for the community,” Mrs Thompson said.
However, Mrs Thompson said the “key talking point” from the budget was the government’s “ridiculous” 40 per cent increase to the solid waste levy — the cost councils are charged to dump rubbish.
The increase will cost Onkaparinga ratepayers an additional $877,000 in 2019/20.
Onkaparinga is yet to formally decide how to cover the cost, but Mrs Thompson indicated council rates would need to increase further.
It is meeting tonight (Tuesday) to consider its options.
Two other Adelaide councils — Tea Tree Gully and Salisbury — have already held special meetings to increase their 2019/20 rates. Burnside is expected to do the same tonight.
“Our staff and elected members have worked extremely hard to deliver a proposed 1.6 per cent rate increase, the lowest in our history, only to receive an eleventh hour slap in the face from the state government for our efforts,” Mrs Thompson said.
“Our ratepayers need to know that while this additional burden will be collected through council rates, it’s the State Government that has imposed this stealth tax on ratepayers.”
“I would encourage all 170,000 residents in our city to contact Treasurer Rob Lucas directly, and let him know exactly how you feel about his 40 per cent trash tax increase.”