Member for Flinders Sam Telfer MP has used a speech to State Parliament this week to call on the State Labor government to immediately upgrade the Flinders Highway, which links towns along the West Coast from Port Lincoln to Ceduna.
Mr Telfer said regional roads had been sorely neglected in the 18 months since the government came to power.
“Investment into our regional road network across South Australia is vital for the economic drive of our state,” Mr Telfer said.
“The Eyre Peninsula contributes so much to our state’s economy, and that contribution should be reflected with increased levels of investment into our road network.”
Mr Telfer said the record of the current Labor government in road investment was poor when compared with the previous Liberal government.
“The previous government put significant investment into the Lincoln Highway, the Tod Highway, the Eyre Highway, the Birdseye Highway,” Mr Telfer said.
“However, since the last election, this government has allocated minimal funding towards our regional roads, and this has caused much concern among residents and truck drivers across the Eyre Peninsula.” “Specifically, the sections between Streaky Bay and Ceduna, and south of Elliston are particularly dangerous, with sharp drop-offs from non-existent road shoulders”
Mr Telfer said the Flinders Highway sees a variety of vehicle types and motorists, with interactions between heavy vehicles, caravaners and travellers, and other domestic road users, and the condition of the Flinders Highway justified urgent upgrades and repairs.
“The Flinders Highway sees heavy vehicles, caravans, cars, freight movement all along that road, and that is why we need to see the government put money into it,” Mr Telfer said.
“It is a dangerous situation that I fear is going to lead to a significant accident, and the government must commit to upgrades in the interests of public safety and economic productivity.”
To watch Mr Telfer’s speech to Parliament on this matter, click here.