Public transport is Hammond voters’ top priority in 2026

One issue stands above all the others in Hammond at the 2026 state election, according to a Murray Bridge News survey.

Public transport is far and away the top concern for local voters ahead of the March 21 poll.

The comments have come in thick and fast since we launched our citizens’ agenda survey last month:

• “It would benefit our community so much if we had reliable and affordable public transport.”
• “We deserve to be in the metro system, like Gawler.”
• “It’s not easy and too expensive to get to the city if you can’t drive.”

The lack of public transport was contributing to isolation among elderly locals, another respondent said: “They need to get out just like other people do.”

It was fuelling unemployment, too, another said: “There is no affordable transport to Adelaide for workers.”

More than 130 people had responded to Murray Bridge News’ survey by Wednesday afternoon.

We’ve crafted their responses into a citizens’ agenda: a to-do list for the next Member for Hammond, whoever that might be.

Here are voters’ priorities for the next four years:

1. Public transport: We want access to affordable public transport services within our communities, and to and from Adelaide.
2. Cost of living: We want to be able to afford everyday necessities, such as food and electricity.
3. Roads: We want our region’s roads to be safer and better maintained.
4. Housing crisis: We want a greater supply of affordable housing for both renters and buyers, and support for those experiencing homelessness.
5. Hospital services: We want modern, fit-for-purpose hospitals which meet community needs, and to reduce the pressure on our emergency departments.
6. Mental health services: We want increased access to mental health services for locals of all ages.
7. Planning: We want assurances that our communities will be well planned as their population grows.
8. Hospital helipads: We want the helipads at the Murray Bridge and Mannum hospitals to be restored to active service.

Over the next six weeks, Murray Bridge News will focus our election coverage on the issues you’ve said are important to you.

We’ll ask each of the candidates for Hammond what they would do to solve the problems you want solved.

And we’ll give you the chance to ask your own questions, too.

Meet the candidates

You’ll be able to meet each of the candidates for Hammond at a public forum in Murray Bridge on March 10.

Murray Bridge News will host the evening event at the Bridgeport Hotel, with managing editor Peri Strathearn – that’s me – as moderator.

Liberal MP Adrian Pederick, Labor’s Simone Bailey and independent Airlie Keen have already confirmed they will attend.

So too will One Nation’s Robert Roylance and independent Lucas Hope, and all other candidates – including the Animal Justice Party’s Ruby Eckermann – have been invited.

Attendance will be free, thanks to support provided by the Local and Independent News Association.

• RSVP: www.trybooking.com/DJKLQ.

What else did the survey tell us?

Our citizens’ agenda survey highlighted a few more eclectic issues, too.

Bless the respondent who entered “67” for all of their answers, including their name, email address and phone number.

Another said a monorail was their only priority.

Several people said they wanted lower council rates, which is a worthy goal but not really a state government thing.

Others fretted about things like tree maintenance, the security guards at Centrelink, and the forms they had to fill in when registering as a volunteer.

Someone else brought up a range of issues, such as youth crime, drugs and political integrity, but also “silly little boys in tight footy pants”, so there’s that.

Thank you to everyone who has offered their feedback so far.

We’ll keep the survey open until our election forum on March 10, and keep our eyes on any extra responses we get.

• Have your say: www.surveymonkey.com.