On my first official day as Deputy Mayor of the City of Unley I witnessed the Leader of the Opposition, Steven Marshall, strike the first blow in the Seat of Badcoe.
The man wanting to be Premier announced what he calls a generational upgrade to South Australia’s rail and road network. The plan is called GlobeLink.
It is an ambitious plan, touted to be of major economic benefit to the State of South Australia. It is a plan that from a purely selfish point of view will have a huge benefit to me and my neighbourhood.
Badcoe is the State seat that our Mayor Lachlan Clyne is hoping to get Liberal pre-selection for. Given this, he asked me to represent Council as we have vested interest in the announcement.
For the Seat of Badcoe this means the freight trains would no longer run through the suburbs of Millswood, Kings Park, Goodwood, Forestville & Wayvlle. A bonus for the residents of the western side of the City of Unley
No longer would residents have to live in fear of a derailment. No longer will they have to be concerned about breathing in carcinogenic diesel fumes. No longer will they have to put up with excessive noise at all hours of the day. No more long waits in traffic at Cross road, Victoria Street and Leader Street.
It also impacts in what may happen at the Emerson Crossing when current Government plans to run the B-Doubles down Cross Road and turn right into South Australia’s major traffic corridor happens. It will reduce what I see as major demolition of houses and business premises along Cross Road at Clarence Park and South Road at Black Forest.
Residents in Unley’s western suburbs which form part of the Seat of Badcoe stand to benefit from the fight for this seat. I can’t wait now for what Labor may have to offer.
Could you please explain “what It also impacts in what may happen at the Emerson Crossing when current Government plans to run the B-Doubles down Cross Road and turn right into South Australia’s major traffic corridor happens. It will reduce what I see as major demolition of houses and business premises along Cross Road at Clarence Park and South Road at Black Forest.” means? Or give me a link?
What are B-Doubles? Where are houses and business premises going to be demolished along Cross Rd exactly?
It all sounds horrifying.
Thank you.
My Opinion Cathy. South Road, when completed, will be wider than it is currently at Black Forest. Whether it becomes 6 lanes as has been mooted or it remains 4 lanes with an access road is not yet known. The Government are not revealing their plans if they even have them yet.
If my assessment is anywhere near accurate properties along Glandore or Black Forest fronting South Road will need to be compulsorily acquired. And Glandore has the memorial gardens that will restrict one would think what might happen on their side.
The B Doubles are the semi trailers that are currently using Port Rush Road to get through the City from the freeway. These are mooted to go down Cross Road and turn right into South Road. Again it is difficult to imagine a B Double turning right without increasing the width and the length of the turn right bay at the Emerson crossing.
Hope that helps you Cathy.
Thank you, it does. Such a shame that a beautiful road like Cross Rd is used in the way it is.
And pigs might fly!
It will take more than a SA Liberal team to divert the freight trains.
This track is controlled by ARTC (Australian Rail Track Corporation) and they, and they alone will decide what happens.
Even when we had Labor in power Federally and in SA, my push to divert the freight trains had no sway on ARTC. It’s a very powerful body and any plan needs ARTC support.
It will be interesting see if the proposal firms up (with commitment by ARTC) before the next State election.
If all the planets line up (and the pigs stop flying) it will take 15-20 years to achieve diversion of the freight rail track.
Sounds like you’ve been around too long Bob and beaten up. You may well be right and you will be if no-one tries to push it through. And I trust you are not saying that ARTC would override the Government of the day. I was just about to say see you tonight so we can wax lyrical on this but your email arrived as I was pressing “I” on my keyboard. Eeeerie!
Yes Don, I have been beaten up about this, long ago.
But if it’s on the vision board again, then we must support it.
Basically it is down to funding and priorities.
The project would certainly fit the criteria of ‘Jobs and Growth’.
Welcome aboard Cr Bob. Missed you last night.
For what it’s worth my paradigm on matters such as these is….what is the worse thing that can happen if we back it.
The same result as doing nothing.