Response to State Transport Strategy
The Strategy will outline the 30-year vision for South Australia’s transport network – including driving, freight, public transport, cycling and walking – and shape how people and goods move around the state.
Our submission references the need for priority funding for the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass, which councils endorsed at LGA’s recent Annual General Meeting as an important advocacy item to be pursued.
Key recommendations
LGA consulted with South Australian councils in preparing our submission and our recommendations for developing the State Transport Strategy have been grouped under the following key themes:
Integrated planning for growth
The Strategy must harmonise with other key strategies like the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan, the 20-year Infrastructure Strategy and other regional planning processes to create community confidence and stakeholder participation.
Public transport
The Strategy must re-emphasise the importance of a strong public transport network, connecting both metropolitan and regional centres and communities, as well as reduce car dependence.
Community wellbeing
Transport is a key determinant of health and a significant impact on the overall wellbeing of individuals and communities. In planning for the future of transport, local government expertise should be leverage to implement community wellbeing policies and programs.
Asset management
Collaboration with the state government is needed to jointly secure ongoing, annually indexed supplementary road funding for South Australia from the federal government. The current three-year, $60 million commitment is due to end in the 2025-26 financial year.
The Strategy should acknowledge the increasing challenges councils face with financial sustainability and their reduced ability to maintain and upgrade existing assets.
Climate resilience and net zero
We acknowledge climate change is a strategic risk which should be given greater attention in all state-based strategic planning processes, including the State Transport Strategy.
High productivity vehicle network
The Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass must be prioritised with funding, design and delivery within the state’s proposed High Productivity Vehicle Network.
Next steps
We will work with the state government on ways councils can be engaged in the rollout of the Strategy.
We will continue to seek collaboration between state/local bodies to lobby the federal government for further funding and investment into South Australia’s transport network.
Find out more
More information about the State Transport Strategy can be accessed on the Department of Infrastructure and Transport website.
Councils with questions about the LGA’s submission can contact Senior Policy Officer Sarah Wozniak at sarah.wozniak@lga.sa.gov.au
For media enquiries, contact media@lga.sa.gov.au