Citizens’ agenda: Hammond voters want safer roads

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Mannum bus driver Mark Herrmann knows the Murraylands’ roads better than most, and he worries that they’re not up to scratch.

Ask him to list the trouble spots he knows and he’ll reel them off: intersections where visibility is poor, places where there really should be merging or overtaking lanes, sections where the surface is rough, stretches where the speed limit is too high or low.

“I see roads in dire need of repair, with a lot more traffic, and a lot of intersections than need upgrading,” he said.

In his personal opinion, most concerning was the road between Murray Bridge and Mannum, which already needed work and would only get busier when Thomas Foods expanded and the Palmer wind farm got going.

In an ideal world, he suggested, governments wouldn’t duplicate the Swanport Bridge and build a bypass through Monarto – they’d create a new heavy vehicle route east of the river, from Tailem Bend to Blanchetown, instead.

He’s not the only voter in Hammond worried about our region’s roads.

Roads and road safety was a top-three issue in Murray Bridge News’ election survey this year.

Murray Bridge’s Luc Hygonnet urged our next state MP to get B-doubles out of residential neighbourhoods: “There is a major accident nearly every second week at the Mulgundawah and Hindmarsh Road intersection.”

Another survey respondent complained that they paid for top-tier brakes and tyres, but “the roads are causing accidents”.

We asked the candidates for Hammond what they would do.

If elected, how will you improve local roads and road safety?

Simone Bailey, Labor

South Australia has an extensive road network to maintain and upgrade. As a leader in local government, I have firsthand seen that the (Peter) Malinauskas government is eager to work with regional communities to deliver important road infrastructure. I understand that it can be frustrating to see wear and tear, as well as extreme weather events, impact road conditions. The Malinauskas government has worked with the federal government to deliver road upgrades in a way that doesn’t put all the burden onto South Australians to foot the bill for what is national infrastructure. As part of a joint $168 million road safety program, major works on both Mannum Road and the Mallee Highway were completed in 2024. As your MP, I would continue to be a fierce advocate for road safety improvements in our region.

Ruby Eckermann, Animal Justice

The Animal Justice Party would support the upgrade and maintenance of regional and rural roads according to best practice and community advice. Locals often know where the problem spots are and should be consulted when upgrade priorities are set. Councils are responsible for most of our roads, to resurface and grade, plus install line marking, signage and barriers. AJP would strongly advocate for increased council funding to facilitate an improved road network in Hammond. Road safety is important for humans and animals; we would focus on reducing wildlife road strike with lower speed limits, wildlife crossings, identified high risk areas, driver education and establishing a legal duty to assist injured animals. Caring for animals is synonymous with caring for people. Driving in regional and rural areas poses specific challenges and it is important that governments recognise the dual benefit of safety for wildlife and people alike.

Lucas Hope, independent

Look, our local roads are a real problem – potholes wrecking tyres, dangerous spots where people have been hurt or worse, and slow trucks making it hard to pass safely on tight roads. Take the Monarto intersection – everyone calls it the Intersection of Doom for a reason. A simple compact roundabout would sort it: slower traffic, safer for cars and road trains alike, and it would save lives. We also need slow vehicle turn-out lanes around Strathalbyn so overtaking isn’t a gamble. I’ve already found some proper funding options through state and federal programs. If I get in, I’ll team up with whoever’s in government to bring that money home and get the work done – no stuffing around. I’m independent, no party telling me what to do. I just want better roads for us.

Airlie Keen, independent

Getting trucks off Maurice and Hindmarsh Roads as part of the Murray Bridge freight bypass, including installing lights or a roundabout at the Mulgundawah Road junction; upgrading the Monarto intersection of the Old Princes Highway and Ferries McDonald Road; and upgrading the Mypolonga intersection of Mannum and Dean Jaensch Roads are all priority road safety projects. The federal and state Labor governments are sitting on their hands while the $656 million that has already been committed, $525 million federal and $131 million state – a substantial amount of money – sits idle. On-ground works should be underway. The design drawings have been done for the roundabout at the Monarto intersection. However, because Labor haven’t agreed on the funding split or made up the shortfall, we are in a do-nothing period. Every time a B-double drives through the heart of Murray Bridge, just think that Labor could be doing more to deliver the Murray Bridge freight bypass. 

Nicole Palachicky, Greens

As Labor pushes forward with its “new frontier”, it is essential that we take an active role in any developments. We need to ensure that investments reflect our values and priorities, as the city sprawl encroaches.

• Infrastructure resilience planning: Invest in climate-responsive infrastructure to withstand extreme weather, ensuring safety and accessibility during adverse conditions.
• Sustainable drainage systems: Implement systems to mitigate flooding risks, protecting roads and enhancing safety.
• Road improvements: Focus on sealing shoulders, adding audio-tactile line markings, and strengthening roadside barriers for increased safety.
• Inclusive planning: Conduct road safety assessments and prioritize local voices in decision-making, tailoring solutions to community needs.
• Dedicated bike lanes: Plan safe routes for cyclists and pedestrians, including dedicated bike lanes and paths, ensuring safe access to schools.
• Mixed-use developments: Encourage developments that promote walkability, reducing traffic and increasing overall safety.
• Public transport integration: Enhance access to public transport options, improving connectivity throughout the community.

Adrian Pederick, Liberal

A Liberal government will invest $1 billion over four years to break the back of South Australia’s growing road maintenance backlog – the biggest investment of its kind in the state’s history. Currently, our roads are not being maintained to quality standards, resulting in poor pavement quality, crumbling shoulders and inadequate drainage, posing serious safety risks, especially at high speeds on regional highways. Under-investment in our roads has meant that the backlog of road maintenance continues to grow year-on-year, with the maintenance backlog across the state now blowing out to a whopping $2.1 billion. Works will focus on pavement rehabilitation, shoulder reconstruction, drainage upgrades, resurfacing and structural repairs across the state-road network. Delivering safer roads will deliver lower vehicle operating costs, stronger freight productivity, and greater reliability for regional communities, industries and visitors.

Robert Roylance, One Nation

If elected, I will focus on improving local roads and road safety by ensuring regional communities receive the investment they have been denied for too long. Many of our roads are narrow, uneven and overdue for proper maintenance, which affects safety, travel times and access to essential services. I will push for a fair share of state funding so towns in Hammond are not treated as an afterthought while money is poured into the city. I support a long-term road maintenance program that prioritises high-risk sections, school routes, freight corridors and key community links. Better planning, stronger accountability and proper auditing of road projects will ensure money is spent where it is needed most. Improving road safety also means supporting local policing, better signage and practical education programs for young drivers.

• Meet the candidates: Come to Murray Bridge News’ Hammond election forum at the Bridgeport Hotel, Murray Bridge at 6.30pm on March 10, free of charge; RSVP at www.trybooking.com.

Disclosure: The photo at the top of this story has been edited to reflect the fact that Mr Herrmann’s opinion is his own, not that of his employer.