Secret report revealed dangers of rock throwing on Southern Expressway last year

ALMOST all Southern Expressway overpasses assessed in a secret review were found to be at “high risk” of rock throwing incidents more than a year ago.

• Three more drivers targeted by rock throwers
• Police launch operation targeting rock throwers

ALMOST all Southern Expressway overpasses assessed in a secret review were found to be at “high risk” of rock throwing incidents more than a year ago, sparking claims of blundering by the former Labor government.

As the spate of rock throwing incidents reaches unprecedented levels, with 40 recorded this year, internal Transport Department documents reveal that serious concerns over seven motorway bridges were raised early last year.

The confidential risk assessment documents, obtained by The Advertiser, reveal two bridges – those across Majors Rd and Honeypot Rd – had “prior reports of objects being thrown” in the preceding two years.

The rocks near the Honeypot Rd overpass will be covered in mesh.

The disclosures prompted a savage State Government response, accusing the Opposition of hypocrisy, “failing to act on this damning report” and doing “nothing” to fix the crisis before the election.

But Labor, which has repeatedly accused the new Liberal administration of mismanaging the issue, has defended its actions.

Police have this year investigated 40 rock attacks on cars travelling at speeds of up to 100km/h along the expressway.

At least nine attacks have occurred over the past five days – three on Friday alone.

Authorities fear the number could be higher as not all incidents are reported to police.

Ministers insist urgent action is being taken as new CCTV cameras, mesh wires over loose rocks and roll cages are installed.

The “internal working” document, dated February last year, reveals Honeypot Rd was the bridge most in need of urgent work.

The report, which has never been made public, also found “high risk” areas at Elizabeth, Flaxmill, Moore, Beach and O’Sullivan Beach roads.

Just two of nine bridges assessed were deemed of “medium” risk – Majors and Seacombe roads. Panalatinga Rd and five pedestrian bridges were not assessed because of existing metal cages.

At Honeypot Rd, auditors found evidence of vandalism, rock throwing reports since 2015, and “readily accessible” loose objects such as rocks and posts nearby.

They also found police did not have a “high visual presence in the area” and the bridge was likely to attract “children unaccompanied by an adult”.

Glenhelen Path bridge along the Southern Expressway, which already has a metal cage to prevent objects being thrown. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll accused Labor of “rank hypocrisy”, which was “appalling given they did almost nothing to fix this problem in 16 years”.

“The previous Labor Government failed to act on this damning report for 12 months before the election and did nothing to install throw screens,” he said.

“(Opposition Leader) Peter Malinauskas should hang his head in shame and must apologise to the people of the southern suburbs.

“We’ve done more in three months to address this longstanding issue than Labor did in 16 years.”

Mr Knoll said the Government would have anti-throw screens installed shortly.

Mr Malinauskas has unveiled a “six-point immediate action plan”, which includes declaring the expressway a protective security area so security guards could be deployed around the clock.

He insisted he had made a deliberate decision to not criticise the Government for the time it takes to implement measures such as anti-throw screens.

A car windscreen smashed by a rock thrown from the Southern Expressway. Picture: SA Police

“My criticism is that rocks were not being thrown in February last year at anywhere near the rate that they are being thrown now,” he said.

“When you are in government, you have a responsibility to respond to issues that immediately arise. The spate of rock throwing incidents that has continued – now at a rate of one a day – is unprecedented.”

“There are things the Government is capable of doing now to deal with this unprecedented crisis. It is not OK for the Government to sit back and wait.”

Mr Malinauskas said the Government had the “power and responsibility to do something” urgently and that it appeared it was rejecting logical, sensible ideas just because they were first raised by his party.

He said instead of “seeking to blame”, the Government should be focused on fixing the problem.

Police launched Operation Watercolour almost three weeks ago in response to the mounting attacks, including a new operational “trigger plan”, increased patrols and monitoring of local gangs of youths.

Since then, however, the number of attacks has almost doubled.

Late afternoon is the most dangerous time of day and most attacks came from a bridge.

Under state law, any person convicted of throwing or dropping an object on a vehicle faces up to five years in jail – a period the Opposition wants doubled to 10 years as well.

It also wants rewards of up to $50,000 for information on rock throwers. Police urge any victims to stop their car when safe and to call 000 immediately.