Rail Extension Crucial for Mount Barker
The SA Government announced in this week’s State Budget that it will allocate $10 million to explore extending Adelaide's rail line out of the city, including investigating what would be needed to run services to Mount Barker.
The $10 million will go towards the rail extension planning, with the cost split equally between the federal and state governments.
Part of the work will look at what it would take to extend the existing rail lines beyond where they currently end.
Mayor David Leach urged the State Government to prioritise planning for a Mount Barker rail extension given the forecast population growth for the region.
“As always, the devil is in the detail. What we do know is that $5 million over two years will go towards planning for regional passenger rail service extensions,” Mayor Leach said.
“What we now need to know with certainty is that the Government will prioritise planning for where it is most needed, and that is Mount Barker.
“We have had instances over the years of consultation in the Adelaide Hills and Mount Barker about better transport options to deal with the population influx. What we need now is serious consideration towards a viable solution and that must include passenger train services from Mount Barker to metropolitan Adelaide.”
The feasibility of passenger rail to Mount Barker is being re-examined by the SA Government through its Adelaide Hills Transport Study.
Mount Barker faces significant transport challenges due to rapid population growth, causing congestion and safety concerns along the South Eastern Freeway, especially during peak periods.
The current infrastructure struggles to meet the needs of Hills residents, with frequent incidents on the freeway leading to substantial delays. A rail extension to Mount Barker is crucial to provide a reliable, efficient alternative to road transport, easing pressure on existing routes and accommodating future growth. This strategic move will ensure sustainable, long-term transit solutions for one of Greater Adelaide's fastest-growing areas.
Mayor Leach welcomed other Budget commitments to improve transport in the Hills, including additional funding for South Eastern Freeway upgrades, and Mount Barker and Verdun interchange upgrades.
There is $200 million over three years in the Budget to complete the delivery of a managed motorway between the Tollgate and Crafers on the South Eastern Freeway, improving safety and traffic management through infrastructure improvements, lane management and incident response.
A $150 million commitment over four years will upgrade two interchanges with the South Eastern Freeway at Mount Barker and Verdun to reduce congestion and improve safety.
