Highway Traffic Management

In reply to Mr McBRIDE (MacKillop) (11 April 2024).

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Special Minister of State): I have been advised:

South Australia Police (SAPOL) is the control agency for traffic management. Country Fire Service (CFS) volunteers undertake traffic management duties at times during emergencies as they are often first on scene at incidents in regional or remote locations. It is always the intent to relieve CFS member of such duties at the earliest opportunity through established local traffic management plans.

On 6 April 2024, the CFS Chief Officer—Brett Loughlin, Executive Director—Cameron Devey, and Regional Commander—Jason Druwitt met with the member for MacKillop to discuss recent incidents where CFS volunteers had undertaken extended traffic management duties.

The CFS has also raised recent scenarios like this with SAPOL, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) and relevant local councils to clarify traffic management plans.

The CFS regularly engages with partner agencies to raise and discuss such matters through local consultation with SAPOL local service area commanders, DIT, and council representatives.

The CFS Director of Strategic Operations is also a member of the Traffic Management Incident Working Group, which is managed by DIT as the department responsible for the state's management of highways, major roads, public non-council roads, and associated traffic management plans. This working group works to maintain cohesive coordination and address any issues in a collaborative way across the state.

In February this year, CFS representatives met with SAPOL, DIT and local councils to review the Dukes Highway traffic management plan, with a focus on enhancing contractor engagement to support traffic and detour management.