Gawler residents can rest assured their calls for a speed limit increase for the Gawler East Link Road have been heard.

Having fielded numerous complaints from the community over the years regarding the current 50km/h speed limit, State Member for Light and Labor Duty Member for Schubert, Tony Piccolo MP is pleased Town of Gawler is reviewing the existing 50km/h speed limit.

“We’ve been talking about this change since the road opened to traffic in October 2020,” Mr Piccolo said.

“The time for action is now as many residents continue to avoid this road because it’s too slow, putting more pressure on Murray Street, Adelaide Road and Carlton Road with high volumes of traffic.”

The Council first hired traffic contractors back in late 2020 to undertake investigations for speed limit changes to 60km/h for Mullamar Way and 80km/h for Schomburgk Drive (Collectively known as the Gawler East Link Road).

As part of the initial motion at the Special Council Meeting on 13 April 2021, it was recommended that Council:

“Notes the risks and design non-compliances identified in the speed limit investigations including the significant construction costs that would result from an increased speed limit.” and;
“Not pursue any change to the speed limits applicable to Mullamar Way and Schomburgk Drive.”

“Fortunately, elected members amended the motion on the night to remove the latter motion, and keep their options open on the Gawler East Link Road speed limit,” Mr Piccolo said.

“It has been three years since that motion though, but with more traffic and data to analyse since roadwork speed limits have been removed, the recommendations from Council’s new contractors are promising.”

“I’ve spoken to the Minister for Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Honourable Tom Koutsantonis MP, and he said the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) is open to investigating the change.

“However, as the road is Council-owned, the Town of Gawler need to undertake this process, then council may formally request an assessment and approval of the revised speed limit to 60 km/hr from the Commissioner of Highways.”