A majority of Reid residents support the reopening of Paternoster Road, according to a survey conducted by local Member of Parliament Tony Piccolo.
Earlier this year, Light Regional Council wrote to the Surveyor-General advising of its intention to commence the process of road closure which resulted in Mr Piccolo receiving notification of the Council’s plans.
In response to the notification, Mr Piccolo wrote to Reid residents and held numerous street corner meetings seeking their views with many not supporting the closure move.
63.5% of respondents to Mr Piccolo’s survey expressed their preference for the opening of the road, subject to it being properly sealed, footpaths constructed and access to the now disused railway corridor to be removed until it is properly redeveloped.
28.8% of respondents supported the Council’s proposed action, specifically noting that non-vehicular access would be maintained up to the end of the road, while 7.7% suggested alternative measures.
Some of those suggestions included opening Paternoster Rd to Two Wells Rd, as well as installing bollards and sealing footpaths to discourage or prevent vehicular access.
Mr Piccolo said the Council had taken action to close the road at the area near the rail corridor due to it becoming a haven for rubbish dumping and other anti-social behavior.
“Residents have complained about the noise associated with illegal motorcycle and motor vehicle use,” said Mr Piccolo.
“Local people have also experienced vandalism to their properties which abut the rail corridor.”
Mr Piccolo said Light Regional Council have been very co-operative and prepared background information, which helped residents gain a better understanding of the issues and possible solutions to inform their responses to the survey.
“A satisfactory long-term solution will require a great deal of goodwill from many parties in addition to residents, as the locality is under the care and control of the Light Regional Council, the Town of Gawler and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure,” he explained.
“It is an odd and unfair situation as Light Regional Council have control of that part of the road under consideration, yet all affected residents live within the Town of Gawler.”
Mr Piccolo said that now initial community engagement has taken place, he will be writing to the Minister for Transport, in addition to the Light Regional Council and Town of Gawler, as portions of the disused rail corridor are owned by the State Government.