Burnside Council considers $88K community bus to ease Waterfall Gully Rd congestion
Burnside Council could spend up to $88,000 a year on a community bus to ferry Mt Lofty hikers after a popular carpark was labelled “significantly inadequate”.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Luxurious new $15 million Sequoia lodge at Mt Lofty House nears completion
- How to get more out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Burnside Council might spend up to $88,000 a year on a weekend community bus service to cut traffic congestion along Waterfall Gully Rd and ferry walkers to the base of Mt Lofty.
The service would operate on a “continuous loop” over five hours each Saturday and Sunday.
The council says there are “continued traffic safety and parking issues on Waterfall Gully Rd”, as bushwalkers flock to Mt Lofty every weekend.
A recent council traffic survey counted more than 800 vehicles coming in and out of Waterfall Gully on one Saturday this winter.
The Cleland Conservation carpark, which has 70 spaces, is “significantly inadequate”, council officers say in a recent report.
MORE NEWS:
Rats and mice top Eastern Health Authority’s hit list
Resident backlash over proposed eastern suburbs boundary shake-up
Gawler Council seeks feedback on proposed changes to boundaries
“The capacity of the carpark would need to be approximately double the current size to meet demand during the busier periods,” the report reads.
But it cannot be enlarged because of the natural site restrictions.
It could cost ratepayers up to $88,000 each year to run a 24-seater, outsourced bus service each weekend — from Burnside civic centre to Waterfall Gully — plus a once-off cost of $32,000 for branding, communication and infrastructure.
The council is looking at two further, and cheaper, options involving a 19-seater bus with either a council-employed or volunteer driver.
These could lower the cost to a maximum of $45,000.
Council officers prefer an outsourced option, running from 7am to noon in summer and 10am to 3pm in winter.
It could also spend $30,000 on smart city technology — including sensors — to help reduce parking congestion.
That option would offer a digital sign on Waterfall Gully Rd showing the number of available parking spaces.
When the plan came up for debate at Burnside Council’s latest meeting, Cr Henry Davis called for more information — including the question of charging for the service through gold-coin donation.
“I don’t think smart city technology alone solves the issue,” he said.
Cr Harvey Jones said the council should consider applying for State Government funding.
“The Department of Environment owns Waterfall Gully. Having a bus service might get more custom for it,” Cr Jones said.
An Environment Department spokeswoman said grants were not available for a community bus.
“But (we) would be open to discussions with the council about working with the community to reduce congestion on Waterfall Gully Rd,” the spokeswoman said.