Regional road networks require funding: ICPA

ICPA Port Augusta branch representative Pamela Cuffe put forward a motion for maintenance on regional roads, calling for the SA ICPA to liaise with Regional Roads Minister Geoff Brock and the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, to highlight how vital having a functional road system was to ensure members were able to access educational opportunities.

ICPA Port Augusta branch representative Katrina Morris seconded the motion, saying is their lifeline.

"It needs to be maintained to a safe and acceptable level to ensure that our children can safely access their schools," she said.

"Roads are critical in providing an essential link to enable remote and isolated families to access educational facilities, mail to be delivered and children to access school events, as well as improving the livelihood and productivity of our outback regions.

"Within the Port Augusta branch, we have families that attend School of the Air, families that drive into school in Port Augusta each day, families with students that are weekly boarders and families that have sent their children to Adelaide to board full time.

"It is essential that unsealed roads are maintained and repaired to allow safe travel."

She said throughout the years, the money for maintenance of outback roads seemed to be getting less and less.

"The roads need to be maintained to support us accessing compulsory education for our students," she said.

Ms Cuffe said in the past month they had found out the road gang for their area had been pulled.

"We no longer have anyone in our area maintaining our road and this week alone we have had 800 cars, in excess, travelling on that road for Speed Week at Lake Gairdner," she said.

"So in two days, our road (quality) decreased dramatically and we don't know if we're going to get a gang back to maintain the road and we don't know who to talk to either."

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ICPA lone member Anna Nunn said the road conditions were obviously not great but accessing the right person to speak to was an issue.

"I rang to report some issues on our road and I was hand-balled probably five times to people in one phone call, saying it was not their bit and to talk to another person," she said.

"It was a lot of back and forwards of people saying that's not my job and now that the system had changed that's that person's job.

"It would be great if there was a focus on the roads and also a direct contact to report these issues."

Mr Brock said unsealed roads managed by the state government were maintained by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport's maintenance contractor for this area, SA Road Services.

"I am constantly advocating for increased funding for regional and outback roads, as someone who grew up and lives in a regional town I know how vital these are for our community," he said.

"The budget to maintain unsealed roads in the outback has progressively increased in recent years, with additional funding from both state and federal governments facilitating a number of important projects including the Strzelecki Track upgrade, Beltana Road sealing and road capping works on Tea Tree Road and Kempe Road.

"The department continues to liaise with a broad range of outback stakeholders when planning and conducting repairs.

"This includes the Outback Roads Action Group, who met with Departmental representatives last week."

He said funding for the maintenance of roads leading to Siam Station remained unchanged.

"Anyone who notices an issue requiring attention on the state's unsealed road network is encouraged to contact the department at dit.north@sa.gov.au or phone the Port Augusta office on 08 8648 5263," he said.