Answers to Questions

BAY TO BIRDWOOD

In reply to the Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (27 September 2011) (First Session).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women): The Minister for Police has advised:

1. The Bay to Birdwood Run (vehicles manufactured prior to 1955) and the Bay to Birdwood Classic (vehicles manufactured between 1955 and 1976) are held on the last Sunday in September in alternate years. The Bay to Birdwood Classic was conducted on Sunday 28 September 2011. The 2012 Bay to Birdwood Run will be conducted on 30 September 2012.

Traffic management of the Bay to Birdwood Run has incorporated one way traffic flow between Tea Tree Gully and Birdwood since 1982. The Bay to Birdwood Classic incorporated one way traffic flow up to 2007.

In order for one way traffic flows to be safe, they require a constant flow of traffic utilising the incorrect side of the road to ensure that other traffic can see that there is a one way in operation. Observation of previous events, monitoring police radio communications during the events, and debrief comments from all parties have shown that participants do not utilise the one way traffic flow provided. It is not physically possible to block all possible access points to the roadway to prevent vehicles travelling in what is the normal direction of travel. The large number of spectators add to the risk by attempting to drive from/to vantage points along what is the normal direction of travel of the roadway. These factors have led to a determination that granting a one way flow is dangerous to all road users. One way traffic flow was removed from the 2009 Bay to Birdwood Classic and was not used in 2011. In recent years, one way traffic flows have similarly been removed from the Oakbank Race meeting and the Motor Cycle Riders Association Toy Run.

Staff from South Australia Police's (SAPOL) specialist event planning area are involved in on-going discussions with event organisers. Based on the risk assessments that have been conducted, it is not intended to provide a one way traffic flow for the 2012 Bay to Birdwood Run.

2. The route for the 2012 event has not been established as yet. Discussions with organisers include consideration of a number of issues. For example, the disparity in speeds of vehicles involved in the Bay to Birdwood requires multiple lanes for each direction of traffic to allow safe overtaking by traffic without causing undue danger to other road users. This is required both on the way to the event and also after the event has concluded when the vehicles return home.

When the event commenced in 1982, there were no extended shopping hours adding to the traffic quantity on a Sunday morning. The number of registered vehicles on Adelaide roads was also less. Traffic congestion from West Beach to Tea Tree Gully has become a serious issue with the diagonal route across metropolitan Adelaide now encountering 45 traffic light locations. Traffic light co-ordination is used to provide an extended green light period but SAPOL's primary concern remains the safety of participants, observers and other road users. Discussions with the organisersand all parties concerned will be guided by that concern.