SOUTH ROAD UPGRADE

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (15:40): I am very pleased today to report good news for the Ashford electorate. I was very impressed to hear and be briefed on the government's announcement yesterday to design a bicycle overpass for the northern side of the Glenelg tramway overpass project. I would like to acknowledge the great work that has been done by minister Zollo and her department, along with members of the transport, energy and infrastructure portfolio. In particular, minister Zollo is always available to listen to the concerns that I have raised about this particular project.

The reason that I have spent time talking to the department, as has the South Road Neighbourhood Action Group, is to raise the concerns we have had about pedestrian and cyclist access to that particular area. I understand that, currently, at least 50 cyclists cross South Road near the tram crossing. I think it would be fair to say that we would expect this number to increase as further sections of the city to Glenelg cycling route are completed. I also understand that the City of Marion, a very progressive council, is currently designing a section to the north of the Morphettville Racecourse, and it should be commended for this. The member for Morphett should certainly be pleased to hear that this work is in the planning and taking place.

Many of the residents who have looked at what has been happening with the South Road underpass in the Ashford electorate have been very concerned about a number of issues. However, the issue that has come up over and again is that of road safety. I am very pleased that a proper consultation process has been conducted by the department of transport. Certainly, there have been some complaints, but, overall, I think people have had a very good opportunity to have an input into what they want to see happen in that particular part of the South Road underpass and also the tram overpass.

Although we are trying to encourage people to use public transport wherever possible, local residents are concerned that, if that is at the cost of huge car parking facilities being made available along the tram track, instead of having the usual 10 to 20 cars in their area they might have 100 or so cars parked near where they live. As much as they understand the need for people to park somewhere, this would cause a different problem in our area. We have needed to work through a whole lot of issues to make sure that local people not only have access to public transport themselves but also that it is done in a safe way.

One of the other issues raised concerns a couple of residential areas where more elderly pedestrians live. We wanted to make sure that there was access to the tram for people in wheelchairs, those who use frames, and also the many children who attend the two nearby schools. With the number of cyclists and the amount non-vehicle traffic in the area, it is very important that this is done properly, and, dare I say it, that it actually looks good as well. One of the issues raised from the concept plans is that we want to enhance our area, not make it look worse than it does or how it could look. Thinking about the amount of traffic that goes through that area, it is really important that that is taken on board.

I congratulate minister Zollo and her team for listening to what local people in Ashford have said, particularly the South Road Neighbourhood Action Group, and trying to make sure that all people in the area, particularly cyclists, pedestrians and local residents along the tram track, have a fair go.