They have called on the major political parties to commit funding for the extension from Seaford in the lead-up to the Federal Election on August 21.

Onkaparinga Mayor Lorraine Rosenberg said road and rail infrastructure were two of the council’s main priorities for the election.

“We can validate the need for funding for road and rail because of growth infrastructure needs to match growth,” she said.

Ms Rosenberg said the extension to Aldinga had been identified as part of the council’s Integrated Transport Strategy 2008-2013.

The State Government has set aside $34 million to buy the rail corridor, but Commonwealth funds would be needed to ensure the project could proceed afer the corridor was purchased. The exact route is expected to be announced later this year.

Forums: Discuss and share your thoughts on the Aldinga rail line extension

Aldinga Arts Eco Village deputy presiding member Ray Mines said residents should be able to cycle to the local station and catch the train to work.

“From an environmental perspective I would welcome the rail extension because efficient, affordable public transport reduces traffic on our roads,” Mr Mines said. Willunga resident Joy Forrest said she supported the rail extension, so long as there were “sufficient feeder buses” to Willunga, Sellicks Beach and Port Willunga.

Friends of Willunga Basin secretary David Gill said the rail extension to Aldinga was an important long-term goal.

“Climate change means we have to be getting out of our cars and using other transport,” he said.

Sellicks Beach resident Jodi Honnor-Figuron said there were “a lot of beautiful spots” in the outer south, but it was difficult for tourists to get to.

Kingston MHR Amanda Rishworth (Labor) said she would “certainly support” an extension to Aldinga, once the corridor was bought by the State Government.

Liberal candidate Chris Zanker said his party supported the rail extension to Aldinga, and saw the need to extend even further south in the future.

Greens candidate Palitja Moore called for bi-partisan support to fund the project.

via Messenger News

They say the rail authority’s move last month to clear vegetation from a stretch along Minchinbury Tce has dramatically altered the streetscape and has impacted on birdlife and traffic noise.

Resident John Teague said the axing of about 100 mature trees and shrubs from a 100m stretch at the front of his property had changed the quiet street.

“By removing these 100 native trees you have effectively destroyed the habitat of many native birds, lizards, insects and countless other types of wildlife, not to mention the trees themselves,” he wrote in a letter of complaint to SA Transport Minister Patrick Conlon.

The father of two young children told the Guardian Messenger the green belt was a “major consideration” in his decision to purchase a house in the area.

He called for it to be restored as a matter of urgency.

“There was a great native flora barrier there and they’ve just destroyed it with no explanation, no reason and no merit.

“I think it’s totally underhanded and not fair at all that an authority can go ahead and do what it pleases without any consultation with residents.”

Neighbour Alex Ostapchuk said the rail strip now looked “terrible”.

“I think they took it too far they could have just trimmed the trees they didn’t have to chop them all down,” he said.

Former Independent Mitchell MP Kris Hanna said he had been approached by many “irate” residents about the issue.

“I know a number of people in the area have been really irate about it not only because of the way it was done, but because there’s been no promise to remedy the damage,” he said.

Transport Department spokesman Ross Stargatt said the vegetation was cleared as part of a TransAdelaide safety program along the corridor.

“Trees near the Oaklands interchange were removed for safety reasons due to the risk of tree limbs dropping on to the track and to ensure train drivers have clear, uninterrupted views of signals and the track ahead,” he said in an emailed statement.

“Train stopping distances are relatively lengthy and for this reason train drivers must have as much notice as possible of people on or about the track.”

He said once the electrification work along the corridor was complete, TransAdelaide would look into options for planting “low-level flowering native shrubbery and grasses” in the area.

via Messenger News

That’s the fear of frustrated Perry Barr Rd residents, who say the recently installed light poles at the new station’s car park are “far too high and intrusive” for the area.

In a detailed letter recently sent to the Guardian Messenger, Sonia and Max Hamilton listed their concerns with various aspects of the upgrade, including the lights.

“A highlight of living where we are is to be able to watch sun and moon sets over the ocean,” they said.

“We fear that the glare from the lights will end this.”

Neighbour Walter Elgindi agreed, saying the poles would “completely destroy” the view enjoyed by residents.

“It doesn’t matter where you stand, these light poles are a real eyesore,” he said.

The Hamiltons said they had experienced “a great deal of disruption” since work on the project started in January, including temporary work lights shining directly into their home.

Pictures: Latest Hallet Cove station upgrade news on the forums

Transport Department spokesman Ross Stargatt said the new permanent car park lights were designed to “minimise light spill” and would help ensure the safety of commuters.

He said the height of the light poles minimised the number required at the station, car park and pedestrian path to achieve the mandated light levels.

In an emailed statement, he said floodlighting was used at the site to ensure the safety of workers, and had been adjusted several times “in a bid to address residents’ concerns”.

The project is expected to be completed in August.

via Messenger News

Ms Jolley, who chairs non-government organisation Healthy Cities Onkaparinga (HCO), said making public transport more accessible to all residents was a key environmental factor.

“There’s big growth forecast for the Onkaparinga Council area about 20,000 people over the next 20 years,” Ms Jolley, who is based at Flinders University, said.

“If we keep putting money into roads, rather than improving our public transport network, we’re going to be encouraging all those extra people to drive around in their cars.

“The area is growing and changing so quickly there’s definitely some urgency to this plan.”

She said the train line to Aldinga, more bus services and improving the connections between buses and trains were high priorities for any masterplan, which would need State and Federal support.

Forums: Discuss the future of Adelaide’s rail network

HCO, supported by the Southern Adelaide Regional Transport Advisory Group (SARTAG), the Friends of Sully’s and the Seaford District Residents Association (SDRA), will host a forum next month to gauge community concerns with public transport.

SARTAG chair Margaret Staples, who has been involved with local transport issues for 20 years, said she wanted a solid commitment that the rail corridor to Aldinga would definitely go ahead. “Getting the train to Aldinga is our biggest concern at the moment, given the growth in the outer southern suburbs,” she said.

“The whole point in reducing greenhouse gas emissions is to get cars off the roads but in some areas people have no other option.”

Ms Staples said more “feeder buses” were needed to connect with trains and extra bus services in Happy Valley, Aberfoyle Park, Flagstaff Hill, Aldinga and Sellicks Beach. “It’s easy to get to town from those Hills areas but going to McLaren Vale or to Marion is the problem so people just use their cars.”

Friends of Sully’s chairman Bob Dyer said residents in O’Sullivan Beach were often forced to use their cars or were left stranded at home, with no bus services on Sundays or public holidays, and weeknight services finished at 7pm.

In an emailed statement, Transport Department spokeswoman Bobbie-Jean Stevens said recommendations for the rail corridor to Aldinga were scheduled for mid-2010.

The Transport in the South community forum will be held in the Civic Centre of the council’s Noarlunga office, Hannah Rd, Noarlunga Centre on Wednesday, July 7 from 5pm to 7pm. Bookings: 8201 7860 or vanessa.swinney@health.sa.gov.au by June 30

via Messenger News

Transport Department figures obtained by The Advertiser show buses, trains and trams have had 56.4 million boardings between last July and this April – an increase of 526,000 on the previous year.

Total boardings on the bus network were 44,252,000 – up 415,000 on the same period in 2008-09.

Train patronage was down slightly to 9,803,000 boardings from 9,813,000.

However, the Belair rail line was closed for about four months from April last year for upgrades and the Outer Harbor line was also partially shutdown between November 2009 and May 2010 for a Port Adelaide Viaduct upgrade.

Trams experienced the biggest increase with 2,346,000 boardings between July 2009 and April 2010 compared with 2,226,000 last year.

via AdelaideNow