Mount Gambier City Council has been granted an extension to one of its bus routes to include the local Foodbank as an additional stop.
Despite the extension to the North West Loop being granted, at the July council meeting elected members agreed this was not good enough and will continue its campaign for more services.
The extension is in response to long-term advocacy from both Foodbank and council regarding improved access for those reliant on the services.
It comes after council staff met with Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis to address the “significant inadequacies” of Mount Gambier’s bus service.
Council has been advocating for changes to the local bus service since 2020. A bus stop would be built outside the Mount Gambier Foodbank Regional Hub at 23 Cave Road.
Mayor Lynette Martin said this was not good enough and fell well short of what the city requires.
“Council has continued to advocate to Minister Koutsantonis for a more contemporary public bus service in Mount Gambier,” Mayor Martin said.
“Amongst many shortcomings with the current service, we have pointed out the inadequate servicing of many other areas of our city.
“In our most recent meeting, Minister Koutsantonis offered us the installation of a new bus stop in proximity of the Mount Gambier Foodbank, but council would be required to provide the bus shelter infrastructure.”
The Mount Gambier Public Bus Service has operated in its current form for over 30 years.
Council’s Regional Public Transport Review stated the Mount Gambier Public Bus Service does not meet the service provision benchmark for a town with a population of 3000 to 6000 people.
The review found the current public bus service operates at a capacity that is less than the lowest benchmark detailed in the Bus Industry Confederation’s (BIC) Population benchmarks for regional town public transport service.
It was reported as being “concerning given the City of Mount Gambier has a population of 27,000”.
Mayor Martin said council would wait for the regional transport review in August to advocate further for a public bus service that meets the needs of Mount Gambier residents.
“We have been pushing it and provided the Minister with a map of all the service plans we deem are necessary for the city. We will keep advocating,” she said.
The original recommendation tabled at the council meeting included pursuing the bus stop instillation, however an amendment was put forward.
In moving the amended motion Cr Paul Jenner said council’s advocacy needed to be stronger.
“To say that it’s disgusting is probably a very nice way of saying it,” he said.
“We should have the same quality of life as they in Adelaide and Mount Barker.
“Yes, it will cost more dollars, but our community deserves it.”
Cr Frank Morello seconded the amended motion.
“We have been advocating this issue for quite some time. They have thrown us a bone in terms of a bus stop at Foodbank, but we need much, much more than that,” he said.
“We really need to step up the campaign and really get some traction on this important issue.”
Cr Max Bruins labelled the offer offensive and “akin to putting lipstick on a pig”.
Meanwhile, Cr Josh Lynagh declared a general conflict of interest, stating that he is employed with Primary Industries and Regional Development and Forest Industries Minister Clare Scriven who will receive a copy of the letter.
Cr Lynagh remained in the council chamber however he stated he would not move or second the motion nor engage in discussion or debate on the matter.
“I intend to vote and represent the community with my vote as I feel that is important,” he said.
The original recommendation to council included pursuing the bus stop installation, however an amendment and additional motions were put forward.
The amended motion would see council thank Minister Koutsantonis for the suggested minor improvement to the bus service, and reinforce that while Foodbank is a priority site, it is one of many sites for which improved access is required.
Subsequently council staff would prepare information for a bus stop near Foodbank, continue the current bus stop audit and consult Foodbank on current requirements.
Prior to taking any further action, chief executive Sarah Philpott will again reinforce to the Minister the comprehensive need to improve the overall service to include timely access to other essential services including the Mount Gambier Hospital.
Cr Jenner also requested submissions will also be provided to Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell, as well as Minister Scriven.
At conclusion of the matter all councillors present at the meeting, including Crs Morello, Bruins, Jason Virgo and Sonya Mezinec, voted in favour.
Absent from the meeting were Crs Kate Amoroso and Mark Lovett.
At council’s meeting, Economy, Strategy and Engagement manager Biddie Shearing provided an update and proposal for elected members on the results of ongoing advocacy for the improvements to the city bus service.
“In late 2020, council completed a review of the Mount Gambier City Bus Service which highlighted a range of significant inadequacies attached to the existing public transport model,” she said.
“In Mount Gambier, the public bus transport service provides the only affordable mode of transport to socially disadvantaged sections of our community.
“As a result, the shortfalls of the service were acknowledged to be impacting some of the most vulnerable sections of our community.”
Ms Shearing said this resulted in social exclusion and significant degrees of disadvantage for those relying on the system as their primary means of transport.
The current service has restricted hours of operation, including running only on weekdays, and does not service the Mount Gambier Hospital, Foodbank, Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre and senior lifestyle villages of Woodlands and Hallmont.
“Due to its limited operating hours and frequency, the service also falls short in providing a viable transport alternative for those accessing employment, or in accessing activity during the evenings or on weekends,” Ms Shearing said.
The report provided comparisons to services provided in other areas of Australia.
Ms Shearing said the report highlighted significant disparity between regional South Australia and the rest of the country.
Council has been advised the Mount Gambier bus system will be included in a statewide regional transport review later this year.
“Both the Minister and the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) have confirmed that Mount Gambier will feature as a focus area in a regional transport review,” Ms Shearing said.
Visit www.haveyoursaymount
gambier.com.au/public-bus-service2020 to view the 37-page full report.
