Contractors are working on the first detailed geotechnical surveys of the extension, preparing the site for construction from mid next year.

The first trains are expected to run on the extension in 2013, in line with the completion of the electrification of the Noarlunga line.

Funding for the project was announced in May as part of the Federal Government’s infrastructure spending in the 2009 Budget.

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The council will lobby the State Government to fund the extension, which would also service the 4500 people scheduled to move in to the Seaford Heights development over the next 10 years.

The council’s development manager Terry Sutcliffe said the council would request a terminus at Seaford Rise, west of Main South Rd and south of Dalkeith Rd.

“It’s primarily to make sure that we can service the new community in Seaford Heights with good public transport,” Mr Sutcliffe said.

“The residents in Seaford Rise aren’t very well serviced at the moment either.”

The long-awaited 5.5km extension of the rail line from Noarlunga to Seaford Shopping Centre received $291 million in Federal funding in May, with the first trains to be running by 2013.

Plans for the extension included a station in Seaford Meadows, at the corner of Sauerbiers and Railway roads, a terminus on Lynton Tce near the shopping centre, and a 1.2km bridge over the Onkaparinga River.

A report tabled at this week’s council meeting (July 21) stated the Transport Department was concerned about the feasibility of extending the line to Seaford Rise, the impact on travel times and speeds, and passenger numbers at the Seaford and Seaford Meadows stations.

“Conversely, our initial investigations indicate much higher potential patronage levels for a Seaford Rise station than the (department) estimates, particularly if the station shared a ‘park n ride’ with the proposed Seaford Meadows station, until the eventual extension of the rail line to Aldinga some years in the future,” the report stated.

Mr Sutcliffe said the transport corridor through to Pedler Creek had been reserved, “so it all boiled down to funding”.

In an emailed response, Transport Department spokesman Sam Ion wrote a third station at Seaford Heights was “not part of the current project scope”.

“A decision on that station will depend on funding for a further extension to Aldinga,” Mr Ion wrote.

Seaford District Residents’ Association chairman Ron Jenkins said the area was “growing a bit too quick” so needed the rail extension.

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Seaford Shopping Centre manager Brian Wadham said the extension would encourage more people to travel by train further south and could make Seaford “a real tourist area”.

“We see ourselves as an important part of the Fleurieu Peninsula,” he said.

“In summer we get lots of tourists coming down this way and when the trains are running they could take a day trip to the area, visit the shopping centre and go on to Moana.”

Seaford Gourmet Meats manager Corey Arbon said the extension would be “very good for business”. “Hopefully it will encourage more people to come and shop at the centre,” he said. “I think it’s going to be especially good with all the houses going up around here.”

Wendy’s manager Ken Green: “It will bring in more new customers. When I heard the news I threw my fists in the air.”

BB’s Cafe owner Brenton Tilbrook: “It’s going to mean more customers and more business.”

Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism manager Roz Becker said the rail extension would definitely “help increase visitors to the region”.

“Accessibility is always an issue for regions overall and having direct accessibility will naturally make it easier for people who might have limited transport, or who are coming from Adelaide or the airport,” she said.

“Moana in itself is an attraction, as well as the other coastal regions, so it’s definitely great to see.”

Seaford resident Lisa Ransom, 15, said the extension would also make visiting friends in the north a lot easier.

“Instead of having to catch a bus from here to Noarlunga and then a train to the city, it will be one simple trip.”

Onkaparinga Mayor Lorraine Rosenberg said the extension would have social, economic and environmental benefits.

“A more efficient public transport system will assist people travelling within the area and into the city for work, shopping and recreation and make Onkaparinga more attractive for businesses and job-seekers,” she said.

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