4 ways RAA wants to improve SA
It’s that time of year again. South Australian Treasurer Rob Lucas is checking the state’s coffers and deciding where to allocate vital funds.
In just 2 weeks, the State Budget will be released and, while it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, the current economic situation and COVID-19 mean this is one of the most important budgets in South Australia’s 184-year history.
Here at RAA, we’ve been asking the state government for a few things that we believe will help South Australia thrive during the pandemic and well into the future.
1. More funding to make our roads safer
Last year, South Australia recorded its highest road toll since 2010, with 114 people losing their lives.To help reduce the toll, we want to see more money invested in South Australian roads.Here’s what we’re asking the state government to commit to:
- Increase road maintenance funding to $160 million, with an additional $145 million extra per year over the next 5 years to eliminate the backlog of work that needs to be completed.
- Construct 3 overtaking lanes along the Riddoch Hwy.
- Upgrade the Spencer Hwy between Minlaton and Maitland, along with Upper Yorke Rd from Kulpara to Maitland.
- Improve safety on Victor Harbor Rd between Mt Compass and Victor Harbor.
- Provide funding to repair pit covers – more commonly known as manholes.
RAA wants 3 more overtaking lanes along the Riddoch Hwy. Image: RAA
2. Improve transport accessibility for South Australians
After years of RAA advocating for real-time fuel pricing, the state government announced in May that it would begin a 2-year trial of the system, saving South Australian motorists millions of dollars. Now, we want the state government to provide enough funding to roll-out mandatory real-time fuel pricing, which requires retailers to report their fuel prices before changing them at the pumps. This is just one of the things we believe will create a more accessible transport network for South Australians. Here are a few others:- Continue funding on-demand bus services in Mount Barker and the Barossa. We’d also like to see trials of on-demand bus services in other regional towns.
- Start a bus-shelter fund to help councils improve bus stops in their areas.