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

Elders from the Kaurna Nation Cultural Heritage Association want Federal Heritage Minister Peter Garrett to intervene to protect ancient Aboriginal sites along the rail corridor.

“Having to prove once again our heritage, our existence and who we are is the lowest of lows,” association chairwoman Lynette Crocker said. “We are really devastated – it seems there is no respect for Aboriginal culture.”

The Southern Times Messenger first reported in March calls by the Kaurna people for an alternative route for the rail extension because of sacred Aboriginal sites along the Onkaparinga River.

State Aboriginal Affairs Minister Grace Portolesi last week authorised the Transport Department to go ahead with the project, which includes a 1.2km rail bridge over the river.

Ms Crocker said the association would try to evoke the Federal Aboriginal Heritage Protection Act as well as dispute the State Government’s decision in court.

“There is a very ancient women’s site in that area and I thought in the spirit of reconciliation there might be a window of opportunity to protect it. But we were never even given the opportunity to negotiate any other options.”

Have your say on the extension in our discussion forum.

Transport Minister Patrick Conlon last year applied to the Aboriginal Affairs Minister, under Section 23 of the State Aboriginal Heritage Act, to disturb Aboriginal sites, objects or remains along the 5.5km rail corridor.

Ms Portolesi, who recently took over the portfolio from Jay Weatherill, said she made her decision based on consultation with the Kaurna community and advice from the State Aboriginal Heritage Committee.

She said she expected some “disagreement” but every effort would be made to respect Aboriginal culture throughout the works.

Transport Department spokeswoman Bobbie-Jean Stevens said an Aboriginal Heritage Plan was being developed for the project, which would include using Kaurna monitors, stop-work procedures for the discovery of significant items and Kaurna place names, artwork and cultural mapping for the Onkaparinga Estuary.

Mr Garrett’s office could not be contacted before the Southern Times Messenger’s deadline.

Major design and construction works, including the rail bridge, are expected to start in September and train services to Seaford will be operating by 2013.

via The Southern Times Messenger

The Transport Department applied under the Aboriginal Heritage Act last September to disturb the sites as part of the $300 million rail project.

Now the Kaurna people have met Minister Grace Portolesi to urge her to reject the application.

She is waiting on advice from the Aboriginal Heritage Committee.

“I do intend to proceed with as much as much respect for culture and history and heritage, but there will be times when we disagree,” she said.

“There is no doubt that the buck stops with me and I’ll be making a decision over the next few days about it.”

Onkaparinga Council says the rail electrification will boost transport-oriented development in Adelaide’s south.

via ABC News

The association says a 1.2km rail bridge over the Onkaparinga River a vital part of the $291 million project will damage sites more than 30,000 years old, including an ancient women’s camp.

Chairwoman Lynette Crocker told the Southern Times Messenger last week the Kaurna traditional owners had advised the Transport Department they were not authorised to damage any Aboriginal sites along the rail corridor.

She said the association would take legal action if works proceeded.

“Obviously, the best option would be to renegotiate an alternative,” Ms Crocker said. “We just want this put right people should see what they’re doing is a mistake and try to rectify it. That’s what reconciliation is all about.”

Under Section 23 of the State Aboriginal Heritage Act, the Transport Department has applied to the Aboriginal Affairs Minister for approval to disturb Aboriginal sites, objects or remains along the rail corridor.

“We’ve been trying to register the Onkaparinga River (Ngankiparringa) as a sacred site but they’re treating us like the enemy,” Ms Crocker said.

“We’re talking about major, major sites and whether they’re registered or not they still have that significant heritage.”

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Grace Portolesi said the State Aboriginal Heritage Committee met to discuss the issue on Friday, March 26. “I have been advised that I will be receiving their advice soon and will then consider it before taking any further steps,” she said.

Early works on the 5.5km extension have already begun, with the first sod turned at the site of the Goldsmith Drv road bridge last month.

Major design and construction works, including the rail bridge, are expected to start in September and train services to Seaford will be operating by 2013.

via Southern Times Messenger

Kaurna people have called on the Transport Department to immediately halt the project and find another route.

A 1.2km rail bridge over the Onkaparinga River a vital part of the $291 million project would damage a number of significant sites, according to the Kaurna Nation Cultural Heritage Association.

Spokeswoman Buster Turner said there was “women’s ground” along the rail corridor within the Onkaparinga River National Park including ancient artefacts and remains. “Onkaparinga or Ngankiparringa means women’s river and there’s some very sacred sites here which need to be protected and preserved,” she said.

Ms Turner said a bridge would ruin the river, the environment and the Aboriginal heritage.

“Once these sites are destroyed, that’s it, they’re gone.

“This issue could be as major as what happened with the Hindmarsh Island Bridge.”

Under the State Aboriginal Heritage Act, the Department of Transport, Infrastructure and Energy (DTEI) has applied to the Aboriginal Affairs Minister for approval to disturb Aboriginal sites, objects or remains along the rail corridor.

Early works on the 5.5km extension have already begun, with the first sod turned at the site of the Goldsmith Drv road bridge on Friday, March 19.

Major design and construction works, including the rail bridge, are expected to start in September and train services to Seaford will be operating by 2013.

Kaurna elder Leonie Brodie said she was “very in touch with the earth” and could feel the presence of Kaurna bones in the area.

She was one of 10 Kaurna women who inspected another potential sacred site near Jared Rd, Seaford Meadows, on Thursday, March 18.

The minister’s media spokeswoman Kathryn Crisell said the department would consult the traditional owners and Aboriginal groups, including the State Aboriginal Heritage Committee, before making a decision. She said the committee would discuss the issue on Friday, March 26.

DTEI did not answer questions from the Southern Times Messenger as to whether the bridge could be moved or realigned to protect the Kaurna sites.

Media manager Ross Stargatt said DTEI would await the outcome of the Aboriginal Affairs Minister before making any decisions.

via Southern Times Messenger