Park-and-Ride Facilities

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (15:51): There are two issues that I want to speak about today on behalf of residents in my electorate of Torrens. The first impacts directly on residents in Klemzig, as well as O-Bahn commuters and potential commuters in neighbouring suburbs. Many residents have raised the ongoing issue of the congested streets in Klemzig, made worse by the lack of adequate car parks at the Klemzig O-Bahn park-and-ride. This has been a hot topic with Torrens' residents since the Marshall government's cutting of the project in 2018. This was extremely disappointing for locals, and I have since raised this matter in letters to ministers and in speeches in this place.

The background here is significant. In June 2017, the Labor government announced additional park-and-ride car parks and upgraded facilities along the O-Bahn route, including Klemzig and Tea Tree Plaza. The additional car parks at the park-and-ride at Klemzig were allocated funding, and the contract was awarded to Public Transport Projects Alliance consisting of McConnell Dowell, Mott MacDonald and Arup, with residents being told the project was underway. The Liberal candidate for Torrens at the time would have heard about how important additional car parks were to the residents of Klemzig and neighbouring suburbs.

It was not long after being elected in 2018 that the Marshall Liberal government axed the additional parks and upgrades at both Klemzig and Tea Tree Plaza. There was no mention by the Liberals in the lead-up to the state election that, if elected, they were going to cut the planned new car parks and upgrades at the Klemzig Interchange. From speaking with residents who have spoken to the current Liberal candidate, it is not surprising there has been no mention by the candidate that it was in fact the Marshall government who had cut the Klemzig park-and-ride and upgrade project in 2018.

I know residents of Klemzig have suffered the consequences of these cuts, and they continue to battle parking and safety issues in the local area due to this much needed upgrade not going ahead. Under Labor, the expanded and upgraded Klemzig park-and-ride would already be operational. The surrounding streets would be cleared. There would be more people from neighbouring suburbs using the O-Bahn.

I have continued over the past three years to advocate on behalf of these residents, and I will continue to do so. I have again written to the minister requesting that adequate funding be reallocated to improve these facilities now, and I have a petition circulating that I will table in this parliament. I know how important access to parking facilities near our public transport networks are for work, education, medical appointments, recreational purposes and for connectivity for residents. Public transport users deserve to have adequate and safe access to public transport and car parking, and Klemzig residents—in fact all residents—deserve to have easy and safe access to their homes.

The second issue concerns my constituents who live in the suburb of Manningham. There have been ongoing discussions between the Port Adelaide Enfield council and the department to address the constant complaints from the public who find the junction layout at Hampstead Road, Romilly Avenue, Ian Street and McInnes Avenue, Manningham confusing and unsafe, and where there have been a significant number of accidents and near misses.

In March 2019, residents of Manningham and Broadview received correspondence from the department regarding safety upgrades, and residents were pleased to hear that consultation with the community would commence, and that should a majority of feedback be in agreement with the proposal, the department would finalise the design and notify the community about what the plans would be moving forward. The information provided by the department stated:

…concerns have been raised about this intersection due to its confusing layout, resulting in driver frustrations and unsafe vehicle movements by entering and exiting vehicles from these side roads.

I am sure it would come as no surprise to others in this place what happened next. Consultation was sought until the end of April 2019. Ongoing discussions were had back and forward between the council and the department. Months went by, years went by, and still no action.

At my Manningham street-corner meeting last month, residents said that the issue of this intersection was of serious concern and they were wondering why they had not heard anything for two years ago. After inquiring with the council, it was revealed that the department no longer classifies this intersection as a priority, which is surprising. Knowing the importance of this, the Port Adelaide Enfield council were prepared to contribute to the project. I will be following this up with a letter to the minister—

The SPEAKER: Member for Torrens, your time has expired and there is a point of order.

Ms WORTLEY: —to seek information on what the department is or is not planning for this dangerous intersection so I can inform residents who have been left wondering since early 2019.

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: The member for Torrens has concluded her remarks.