South Rd business owners say uncertainty over north-south upgrade timeline puts future in doubt

WORRIED business owners say their future remains up in the air over lack of clarity of the State Government’s plans for the Edwardstown section of the South Rd upgrade.

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WORRIED business owners say their future remains up in the air over lack of clarity of the State Government’s plans for the Edwardstown section of the South Rd upgrade.

It comes three years after the $9.3 billion non-stop north-south corridor was announced and two weeks after news of the latest design plans for the Croydon Park section.

Southern Business Connections chairman Greg Garrihy said business owners had been kept out of the loop since the initial announcement of the 10-year strategy.

“Their concerns are still the same, which is mainly not knowing what is happening (regarding) both the changes and timing,” Mr Garrihy said.

“They’d like to know who to talk to and what’s going on. No one is saying we shouldn’t do the project — it’s more about communication.”

An artist impression of proposed overpass on the corner of Regency Rd and South Rd. Supplied by state government

The Anzac Highway to Darlington section, which includes Edwardstown, will demand major property acquisition with a total estimated cost of $2.2 billion — but there has been no announcement of a time frame.

Mr Garrihy said the lack of communication made it difficult for property owners to sell or lease their premises.

Once complete, the north-south corridor will stretch 78km from Gawler to Old Noarlunga.

It includes widening South Rd through West Torrens, Marion, Unley and Mitcham, by 10m.

“No one is willing to buy a property and people don’t know if it’s the best asset,” Mr Garrihy said of the uncertainty around Edwardstown.

“They don’t know if the property is going to be acquired or if it’s going to be a hard place to get to.”

Cross Country 4x4 manager Craig Maxwell was willing to move to a new location.

“A lot of businesses (along South Rd) have closed, or premises are up for sale or lease,” Mr Maxwell said.

“There’s a lot of talk about a bridge or what else will be going on nearby, so it would be great to know sooner than later because you can start to plan,” Mr Maxwell said.

The owner of St Marys fit-out company Comace, Paul Williams, said his biggest concern was the extent of local roadworks and how long they would take to complete.

“We have many people out on the road doing maintenance or delivery and installations, and they get caught in traffic — sometimes for an hour,” Mr Williams said.

Another Edwardstown business owner, Shane Manners of Dragons Lair Hobbies and Gaming, said the lack of information was “frustrating”.

A new bridge is moved into place over South Road in Darlington last year. Picture: AAP / Matt Loxton

He assumed shops on one side of South Rd would have to close down.

“It would be nice to plan ahead,” Mr Manners said. “If I had to relocate I’d like to do that close by, but I don’t know what will be available at the time.”

Mitcham mayor Glenn Spear agreed there were many unknowns around the upgrade’s impact on the local area.

“We want the best outcome and there’s a lot of question marks over the extension, regarding where the road will go and when,” Mr Spear said.

“We’ve had several meetings with (the Transport Department) and a chance to give input, but at the end of the day its not our project.”

Elder state Liberal MP Carolyn Habib said the corridor upgrade would reduce travel times and traffic congestion for southwestern residents.

“The (Transport Department) is working through developing the plan for this significant project and once this occurs will have more information,” Ms Habib said.

“The Government will give the maximum notice possible to residents and businesses impacted.”