Advocating for improved road infrastructure and reducing the road toll in the Limestone Coast will be on the agenda when Mount Gambier City Council’s Mayor and chief executive meet with the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport in March.
A question with notice relating to the Limestone Coast road toll was tabled by Cr Kate Amoroso at council’s January monthly meeting.
In response to the question, Mayor Lynette Martin disclosed that she would attend a meeting, along with chief executive Sarah Philpott to discuss issues with Minister Tom Koutsantonis.
Cr Amoroso questioned whether council was actively engaging with the state government to advocate for improved road infrastructure and maintenance, with the goal of reducing the “alarming and devastating” road toll in South Australia.
“Of course road safety and the road toll is of concern to us all,” Mayor Martin said.
“I can tell you the Limestone Coast Local Government Association has been meeting with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) on a regular basis.”
Mayor Martin said the most recent meeting was held in October 2023 and will be ongoing on a six-monthly basis.
“A commitment we have between the Limestone Coast LGA and DIT,” she said.
In addition, Mayor Martin said council wrote to Minister Koutsantonis in September 2022 and again in October 2023.
She said this was as a result of council resolutions, pointing out the deterioration in DIT roads and inviting Minister Koutsantonis to visit Mount Gambier.
“These meetings provide the opportunity for councils to address matters of concern and of course road safety is discussed,” she said.
“We all acknowledge the condition of the road network is a factor, but unfortunately also to be taken into account is human error.”
Mayor Martin reported South Australian councils manage 11% or 75,000km, of Australia’s local road network.
“We know we can influence road safety by improving safety on roads,” she said.
“We need to keep advocating for more state and federal funding to maintain a safe road network.”
