Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo has called on the State Government and the Gawler Council to put aside their differences and just fix up the Tulloch Road intersection.
Mr Piccolo raised the matter during the recent debate in parliament regarding the funding of the Gawler East Link Road in the State Budget. Mr Piccolo said fixing the Tulloch Road intersection was an important improvement associated with the link road project.
“I have previously written to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure on this matter and made my views very clear.”
Mr Piccolo told Parliament, that “Given the retail development on Tulloch Road, it is critical that this intersection is upgraded sooner rather than later, and I would urge the Town of Gawler and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure to resolve this matter as soon as possible.”
“The intersection, in its current form, is not satisfactory. It will certainly be inadequate once the Aldi store opens.” Mr Piccolo said.
“What is most frustrating is the failure of the Town of Gawler and DPTI to work closely enough to develop an agreed strategy to address the traffic management issues at this busy intersection.”
Mr Piccolo acknowledged that weaknesses in the current Development Act have in part created the problem, but was not convinced that the Town of Gawler and DPTI could not have addressed the issue sooner.
Mr Piccolo said it has been particularly disappointing that the Town of Gawler has taken on a very passive role in this issue, preferring to blame the State Government for the rezoning of the area and, secondly, stating that it is powerless to act. “On both of those issues, I would strongly disagree with the council,” Mr Piccolo said.
“The council appears to have washed their hands of the issue, stating the state government created the problem while, all along, they have been quite happy to collect the rates the new developments have generated.”
“I am reliably advised that these additional rates are quite substantial.”
Mr Piccolo said the traffic problems in this locality can be addressed and resolved by the State Government and the Town of Gawler implementing the provisions of that plan.
“My simple message to both the Town of Gawler and the State Government, through DPTI, is to stop procrastinating and just do it.”
Mr Piccolo stressed that the upgrade of the intersection “should be a shared responsibility, both financially and in terms of its implementation.”
“It is time for the council and state government to put their differences aside and implement measures to improve safety in the locality.”
Mr Piccolo advised Parliament that he has held discussions with members of the governing councils of both schools, and they support the implementation of the provisions of the council development plan for this locality, as far as they pertain to traffic management measures.
“Traffic management issues in this locality are raised continually with me by local residents,” Mr Piccolo said.
“If it is not the number one traffic issue, it is pretty close to it.”
“For the record, it is my view and the view of most residents that no traffic measure short of a roundabout at Tulloch and Main North roads will be acceptable.”