HANSARD
SITTING CALENDAR
SEARCH
LIVE BROADCAST
Hansard Dynamic Member Index
House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-11-13 Daily Xml
Contents
Xml

Amy Gillett Bikeway

Mrs HURN (Schubert) (15:31): It was a sea of lycra in my electorate of Schubert this morning. We were out at Mount Torrens, where so many people joined from right across the Adelaide Hills to officially open stage 4 of the Amy Gillett bike path, which is something that as a local community we have been advocating for for quite some time. I particularly want to thank a number of people who have worked so incredibly hard and had really strong voices in making sure that this local project comes to fruition for my local community.

At the moment, we have a situation where the Amy Gillett Bikeway now finishes in Birdwood. Up until this morning, it finished in Mount Torrens. But now, with this additional 5.2-kilometre section, it takes the entire Amy Gillett bike path from Oakbank all the way through to Birdwood, at 22 kilometres. We are hoping that the next stage will be to Mount Pleasant.

Pleasingly, The Barossa Council were out at this community event because they, too, are excited about ensuring that the Amy Gillett bike path gets all the way to Mount Pleasant. In some exciting news, they have actually put some money in their budget to get this work underway. In fact, in the latest budget, The Barossa Council allocated $100,000 to begin its work on their section from Randell Road all the way through to Mount Pleasant. This includes things like vegetation clearance, the construction of a rubble path suitable for walkers and gravel-bike riders, with plans to seek future funding to ultimately seal this section.

I would like to acknowledge, if I can, the fact that this is a really important legacy point for the Gillett family. It is a lasting tribute for Amy Gillett who was, of course, an exceptional South Australian athlete whose life was tragically cut short training in Germany in 2005. This pathway really honours her memory and her passion for cycling. Her parents, Mary and Denis Safe—who were not there this morning—have been incredible advocates for this project over many, many years. Their strength and commitment have been instrumental in ensuring that Amy's legacy continues to inspire road safety awareness and community connection right through this bikeway.

Ever since I became the member for Schubert, this has been an item on the agenda list for my local community. One thing that I heard loud and clear, whether it was out doorknocking, whether I was at the shops in Birdwood, was that the community really wanted every single sphere of government to work closely together and get this done for the local community.

I am so pleased that with our collective efforts we have finally been able to make this happen. I saw locals out there this morning who have been advocating for this extension for years. I saw cyclists in their lycra, both young and old. I was not out in my lycra, but I am very much looking forward to getting out and enjoying this bike path over the years ahead with my little family, like I am sure that so many families right across the electorate will.

It is also about the business benefits that this will bring to my local community. I was having a chat to Alison from The Fold, whose business is on the main street of Birdwood, Shannon Street. She established her cafe in the main street of Birdwood, waiting for this day to come. I was so delighted to see her out at the official opening in Mount Torrens. She was making coffees for everyone. They have gone to such effort, really, to make their cafe cycle friendly. I have no doubt that many people from across the Adelaide Hills and beyond will be flocking to her cafe and the many businesses right up and down the main street of Birdwood.

I am really excited that this day has finally come. Many in the local community questioned whether it ever would, but this project again is a testament to persistence. It is a testament to what can be done when all spheres of government work really positively together. This really is a pathway that will be a great boost for our local community in many ways. I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the northern part of the Adelaide Hills, all the way from Oakbank now to Birdwood. Of course, our focus now turns to the next stage, which is getting it all the way to the Barossa Valley.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
MEMBERS
GET INVOLVED
ABOUT PARLIAMENT
VISIT
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
CONTACT