Hartmann Road Upgrade
| What we're doing: | Hartmann Road Upgrade |
|---|---|
| How much is it going to cost: | 2026/27 - $50,000 - Design only |
| Timeframe: | 2023/24 - 2028/29 |
| Background: | Hartmann Road is a critical part of the Mount Barker District Council’s road network. With continued growth across the southern and eastern fringes of Mount Barker, Hartmann Road has experienced significant increases in traffic volumes — a trend expected to more than double in the coming years. Upgrades are necessary to support network performance, safety, and capacity. |
The function that Paech Road, Sims Road and Hartmann Road plays in the local road network is changing.
Land development has been occurring in recent years on both sides of Paech Road being Aston Hills and Glenlea subdivision. Where this is occurring the speed limit has been lowered to acknowledge the changing adjacent land use and to reflect a speed zone more appropriate for an urbanised area. This progressive lowering the speed limit will continue as land development growth extends further south along the road. It is probable that south of Potts Road, 80kph will be retained as the speed limit and the form and function of the road from Potts to Wellington will remain relatively unchanged and of a rural nature. As development occurs progressively along the road, we will continue liaising with DIT to implement speed limit reductions
The section of Paech Road north of Potts Road to Sims Road will, over time, take a more urban form and likely will incorporate new road junctions with new side roads. Some of these new road connections may become the priority link and this will be achieved through local realignment of Paech Road to form T-junctions with the new side road. Ultimately, the road will be very much an urban road with an urban speed zone of 50kph. The Paech Road corridor will where possible include footpaths along the road with targeted crossings of the road for pedestrian and trail links. Targeted street lighting will be included as new intersections are made with land development.
Paech Road, Sims Road and Hartmann Road - Design
| What we're doing: | The 3 design sub-projects included are:
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|---|---|
| How much is it going to cost: | $450,000 |
| Timeframes: | 2026/27 |
| Background: | Whilst project design is fully funded, there is currently no funding allocated to progress construction of these projects. As a result, Council will continue to undertake maintenance works along these roads to address pavement failures as necessary. However, Council is actively pursuing grant funding opportunities to bring forward these road upgrades at the earliest opportunity. |
October 2026
PAECH ROAD UPGRADE PLANNING
Traffic counts in February showed up to 5,560 vehicles are already using sections of Paech Road each day, with the highest volumes between Sims Road and Heysen Boulevard.
After consulting the community on a concept design for the section between Sims Road and Potts Road in 2024, we’re now working through the detailed design, which is expected to be finished by early 2027.
Paech Road is part of the broader Mount Barker Collector Roads Package, which also includes Sims Road, Hartmann Road and the future signalisation of the Bald Hills Road, Alexandrina Road and Hartmann Road intersection.
Council has funding for Paech Road in its Long-Term Financial Plan, but State or Federal Government funding is required to progress the upgrade.
Maintenance will continue to be undertaken in the meantime.
September 2026
70% preliminary designs for all 3 design sub-projects are approaching completion with a design workshop to be held shortly.
Additional design investigations are being undertaken due to the new GMB Water sewer main which is currently under construction along Hartmann Road.
Eastern Sector Sewer Trunk Main Upgrades | GMB Water)
SA Power Networks is also planning a new 66KV HV underground power line to connect its existing Mount Barker South Distribution Sub-Station with a proposed new Mount Barker East Sub-Station
Hartmann Road is being maintained until these works occur, and the road will be left in a better condition than existing until the major road upgrade can be funded and facilitated.
April 2025
Detailed design underway, expected to be an 18-month exercise with completion of design towards the end of 2026.
October/November 2024
Following community engagement, Council has endorsed 30% concept design drawings for:
Hartmann Road Upgrade - including Alexandrina Road/Bald Hills Road/Hartmann Road intersection signalisation
Sims Road/Paech Road Upgrade - road upgrades
November 2023
Council is working with its selected consultants to prepare a draft concept design for Paech Rd as a priority as part its endorsed annual business plan. We're actively working on the concept design and paying special attention to the interfaces with adjacent developments, which are currently underway, and we are on schedule to deliver this.
Currently, there are no footpaths along Paech Road as it has always been a rural road with very few residences and low demand for pedestrian connectivity. With the recent and planned growth of housing in this area Council has identified that there will be a need for new footpaths and hence the need to plan for an upgrade. The draft concept design includes new paths and pedestrian crossings.
Pedestrian facilities are provided within each of the new developments and will ultimately be connected to Council’s paths and trails network as growth continues in this area.
Subject to Council endorsement, we're planning to engage with the broader community in early 2024 and look forward to receiving a range of feedback and inputs which can be considered in the next stage of design development.
September 2023
A concept design for Paech Road is progressing and is planned to be presented to the October Council meeting seeking resolution to engage with the community on the concept.
May 2023
Council has appointed Tonkin Consulting to undertake a detailed concept design for the upgrading of Paech Road Mount Barker between Sims Road and Potts Road.
The concept design will consider road widths, kerbing in some sections, a shared path (pedestrians and cyclists) on one side, storm water drainage, pedestrian (refuge) crossings, and intersection improvements.
Preliminary investigation has been undertaken including a detailed survey of all existing features, location of existing services (SA Water, Telstra, etc) and a geotechnical investigation to determine the underlying pavement requirements.
Council will consult with the community at the 50% concept design stage (when a basic layout will be available) seeking comments before proceeding to the final concept design. It is expected that this will occur during August/September 2023.