The Federal Government is delivering $21.7 million in funding for 34 road projects under the latest round of the Special Local Roads Program.
Unique to South Australia, the program enables the state’s 68 councils to pool together a portion of their federal road funding – and distribute it through competitive grants.
This supports the delivery of high priority projects that would otherwise exceed an individual council’s capacity – with $17.9 million from this round flowing to regional and rural roads, and $3.8 million to metro projects.
Stretching from the Lower Eyre Peninsula to the Limestone Coast, projects will improve road safety, boost tourism access to key parts of the state, and help reduce congestion.
Works will include resealing and reconstruction of roads, shoulder widening, and improvements to kerbs and gutters.
This includes $993,000 to complete the third and final stage of the Billiatt Road reconstruction in the District Council of Loxton Waikerie.
As the gateway to the Billiatt Conservation Park and the main tourism route in the region, the works will seal and widen the road from 6.2m to 7.6m to accommodate increased traffic, including road trains.
Improving the safety of Hawker Street, Brompton is something the local community has long called for – with $600,000 flowing to the City of Charles Sturt to reconstruct the road, and to upgrade street lighting.
The City of Holdfast Bay will receive $200,000 to improve the safety of the emu school crossing on Partridge Street, Glenelg and to upgrade the roundabout at Colley Terrace and Anzac Highway, which will reduce congestion.
Nationally, the Federal Government is delivering significant funding increases to support local councils deliver their priority projects.
The Roads to Recovery program is progressively increasing from $500 million to $1 billion per year, with South Australian councils receiving $395 million over five years – an increase of $153 million.
The Road Black Spot Program is increasing to $150 million per year, and $200 million per year is available under our new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program – with both programs open for applications year-round.
Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain, said, “This $21.7 million will improve the safety of local road networks across the state, making it easier to drop the kids off at school, and for tourists to experience everything that South Australia has to offer.
“We know that roads across regional South Australia are not only under more demand than ever, but critical to keeping our supply chains moving – which is why the bulk of this round’s investment is targeting high-priority regional upgrades.”
South Australia Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Tom Koutsantonis, said, “We welcome any initiative designed to help councils reduce the maintenance task on local government owned roads.
“This innovative funding solution from the Australian Government will support councils in maintaining and improving South Australia’s critical local roads network – and that will provide a broader benefit that extends beyond individual council areas.”
South Australia Minister for Local Government, Joe Szakacs, said, “South Australian councils, particularly smaller, regional councils, are constantly balancing service and infrastructure delivery against the growth of rates.
“Through these merit-based grants councils have a chance to undertake important road improvements they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford.
“This is a terrific initiative, unique to South Australia, that sees all three levels of government working hand-in-hand to deliver the best outcomes for South Australians.”
The full list of 2024-25 funded projects can be found here.
