Extend Adelaide’s Seaford and Gawler rail lines to Aldinga and Concordia: RAA

Northern and southern suburban rail line extensions are being urged by the RAA as part of a massive infrastructure push.

Rail line extensions to support rapid housing development in Adelaide’s north and south are being urged to avert a deluge of motorists from almost 25,000 new homes choking Adelaide’s road network.

Warning city roads cannot handle an extra 100,000 car commuters, RAA chief executive officer Nick Reade is calling for a massive infrastructure expansion to support major housing developments in the state’s biggest land release in history.

The RAA, the state’s biggest membership group, wants a metropolitan rail network expansion to include extensions of the Seaford line about 9km south to Aldinga by 2030, and the Gawler line to Concordia, about 7km northeast.

Mr Reade also is urging other rail extensions or high-capacity bus links to Dry Creek, where 10,000 homes are planned, and Walker Corporation’s $3bn Riverlea estate, officially opened in February last year, that will house 40,000 people.

Premier Peter Malinauskas, who in February last year unveiled the largest single release of residential land in the state’s history, said his government had stepped in to preserve a rail corridor for a potential Aldinga extension and had started a northern Adelaide transport study in which “nothing is off the table”.

RAA chief executive officer Nick Reade. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Backing increased land supply for housing as the state’s population climbs to two million as early as 2029, Mr Reade said the release within the past year of land for almost 25,000 new homes for 100,000 people, in areas including Dry Creek, Riverlea, Concordia, Sellicks Beach and West Lakes, needed to be backed by roads, rail, water, electricity and other infrastructure.

“Imagine what would happen if an extra 100,000 people jumped into their cars and joined the

morning commute? Our road network couldn’t absorb that without significantly increasing congestion and travel times,” Mr Reade said.

“If we want to retain our gong as one of the world’s most liveable cities — and do our bit for the environment as well — we need to encourage public transport usage – especially for those living in the outer suburbs.”

A housing development at Mount Barker.

Mr Reade said extra people living in the new houses would put huge pressure on roads, public transport, utilities and services.

“There’s no doubt we need more homes, but we also want to see an investment in infrastructure to support this growth at the same time,” he said.

“Housing developments can’t outstrip infrastructure and utility investment – otherwise we’re doomed to repeat the mistakes we’ve seen in Mount Barker, where infrastructure is playing catch-up.

“That means everything from roads and rail, through to water and electricity. Industry are telling us the funding and construction of water infrastructure is a big concern that may stall development, particularly for the greenfield sites.”

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis, Mount Barker Mayor David Leach, Premier Peter Malinauskas and Kavel MP Dan Cregan at a Mount Barker media conference last August. Picture: Dean Martin

Mr Malinauskas highlighted a 2022 decision to preserve land around Seaford “to allow for a potential future extension of the Seaford line to Aldinga, ensuring there are long-term options for expanding public transport in South Australia”.

He said transport planning studies had started in the Fleurieu region, on Kangaroo Island and in Adelaide’s north, covering the inner and outer suburbs.

“These will identify transport improvement options that build on the existing investment already underway by the government in these regions, and follows a similar consultation in the Adelaide Hills and Mount Barker,” he said.

“These significant works address exactly what is being discussed here – detailed and proactive planning for future needs.

“Nothing is off the table, with the studies considering current transport usage and requirements, community feedback on the improvements and developments they want to see and detailed demographic data on expected population growth and associated transport needs.”

The chief executive of major retirement living accommodation and aged care services provider ECH, Claire Scapinello, said infrastructure and housing played a critical role as people aged.

“Having the ability to access rail and bus services, whether that’s fast bus ways, for example, they’re really important parts around that social inclusion and around creating community,” she said.

“If the infrastructure isn’t there, then older South Australians, in particular, will struggle to live in areas where they don’t have access to infrastructure and then affordability, again, becomes a challenge.”

Housing Industry Association SA regional director Stephen Knight branded as a “no-brainer” the extension to future developments of existing public transport services, particularly rail.

“However, not all roads need to lead to the city – increasingly cross-town and suburb-to-suburb rapid transport options need to be considered. Critical planning on where people who will live in the new outer suburbs will work, go to school, shop, seek medical facilities and socialise should be at the forefront in the process,” he said.

“. Masterplanned communities, such as ready-to-go developments at Roseworthy and others that may provide all of these services, could help reduce the need for a massive infrastructure spend on transport.”

Master Builders Association of SA chief executive officer Will Frogley said there clearly would be a need for both proposed rail extensions.

“Planning for housing should always include proper planning for social infrastructure such as public transport, schools and hospitals. Population growth is picking up after years of virtual stagnation,” he said.

Property Council of Australia SA executive director Bruce Djite urged infrastructure and growth compacts between state and local governments to ensure housing development was backed by local employment, transport, schools, libraries, shops and public spaces.

“With exponential growth planned for communities around Aldinga and Concordia, it is vital that these communities have access to the benefits public transport provides,” he said.

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An Aldinga Beach woman has labelled the Seaford train line extension to Aldinga as “definitely necessary” for both her family and the wider Aldinga community.

Angie Miller, 46, said an extended train line would make a massive impact on the future of her two children, aged 8 and 10.

“It would be a huge benefit for my children when they’re wanting to go to Uni,” the social worker said.

“When it comes time for them to have that choice, they’d at least have the opportunity to travel into the city.

“Ultimately it’s good for the environment as well because it would take more cars off the road. With the growing population we’re noticing more cars and I worry about roads like Commercial Rd that are already starting to get backed up.”

Ms Miller and her partner Mo Pawero, 41, were planning on heading to a Fringe show over the weekend, but admitted it was “going to be a challenge”.

“It’s a tricky commute,” she said.

“I was initially going to drive, but decided we are going to catch the train from Seaford into town.

“It’s a daunting prospect coming into the city. It does create a hurdle for people heading in and attending events.”