Integrated Transport Plan to Shape Future Transport Infrastructure

14 October 2024

Mount Barker District Council has completed extensive community and stakeholder engagement on its Integrated Transport Plan (ITP), using the feedback to amend its six core themes. The council has since consolidated and prioritised these actions into a comprehensive plan, which was endorsed at this month’s Council meeting.

In September 2022, the Council approved the ITP Lead Strategy to address the region’s growing transport needs. In 2024, informed by feedback from the 2023 MARKYT Community Scorecard, action plans were developed for six key themes—Road Network Management, Active Transport, Road Safety, Parking, Public Transport, and Technology and Innovation—to guide future transport planning and infrastructure.

The action plans were further refined through workshops with key industry and community stakeholders before being presented to the wider community for consultation between June and July this year. The council received 160 additional submissions, with the most interest focused on Road Network Management in Hahndorf, highlighting concerns about freight, traffic, parking, and pedestrian safety. Feedback also called for improved public transport within the district and better connections to Adelaide, including potential future passenger rail options.

In response to community input, the council has made adjustments to four of the six action plans—Road Network Management, Public Transport, Road Safety, and Active Transport—while the Parking and Technology and Innovation themes remain unchanged.

Each action plan outlines the district's current transport state, guiding principles, strategic actions, and improvement opportunities. A consolidated and prioritised roadmap guides the council's transport infrastructure investment over short-term (1-3 years), medium-term (4-5 years), and long-term (5+ years) periods, including council-led initiatives and advocacy for government support.

The cost of implementing the plan over the long term is estimated at $1 million, with the potential to influence over $100 million in capital investments. The plan also includes advocacy for critical state infrastructure, which the council will present to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport to ensure alignment with state-wide transport strategies.

Mount Barker Mayor David Leach emphasised the importance of collaboration between the council and the State Government for the success of the ITP.

“Council believes that working closely with the State Government is crucial, especially for larger-scale projects like road upgrades, completing the remaining sections of the Heysen Boulevard in a coordinated and timely manner, the Hahndorf Main Street project, and improving safety around schools,” Mayor Leach said.

"Transport is the top priority in our community, and the endorsement of the consolidated ITP action plan marks a key milestone in Mount Barker's journey to becoming the most livable region in South Australia. The Council looks forward to continued collaboration with State and Federal governments, developers, and stakeholders to deliver improved infrastructure and services for our community."

The Mount Barker District Council will review and report on the consolidated action plan annually to ensure it remains responsive to community needs and the district’s growth.

For more information and to read the full Integrated Transport Plan, please visit Integrated Transport Plan | Mount Barker District Council