A parliamentary committee has heard explosive evidence that the Gawler Council failed to go into bat for residents seeking improvements to the intersection of Coleman Parade and Potts Road with the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI).

Last week the Public Works Committee (PWC) of State Parliament commenced an inquiry into the Gawler East Link Road.

The Bunyip recently reported that local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo, was disappointed that the new Liberal Marshall State Government had not made any funding available to meet the concerns of local residents.

Mr Piccolo has previously said that the residents in the Coleman Parade precinct have been left and “high and dry” by a Gawler East Link Road sweetheart deal between the Gawler Council and the Marshall Liberal Government.

Mr Piccolo said that evidence tendered to the PWC has unfortunately supported his worst fears.“While I was lobbying hard for the local residents, my efforts have been undermined by a Council that was sitting on its hands.

”When asked what representations the Town of Gawler had made regarding the intersection of Coleman Parade and Potts Road, the PWC was told the Council was relying on DPTI’s design process to come up with a suitable solution that meets the relevant [engineering] standards?

Mr Piccolo sought clarification: “Your evidence to the committee is that essentially, for want of a better word, Gawler council haven't gone into bat for any additional works at Coleman Parade and Potts Road?”

The DPTI witnesses confirmed that that was correct.

Mr Piccolo said he was shocked by the revelation, given the council have spent tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of ratepayers’ dollars fighting the overall alignment of the link road because they did not accept the design advice of DPTI.

“They spent ratepayers’ money fighting DPTI for a road alignment no residents liked, but have spent zero dollars fighting for improvements local residents want.”

Mr Piccolo said the Town of Gawler has prioritised its own agenda over the real needs of local residents, in its haste to achieve a ‘win’ with the new Marshall Liberal Government.

“I am particularly concerned about the wellbeing of residents in the Vines Lifestyle Village who will find it difficult to access Potts Road during peak times,” Mr Piccolo said.

Under the current plan, Evanston Park residents north of Potts Road will not be able to access Tulloch Road direct from Morrow Avenue.

“While I welcome moves to keep additional traffic along Morrow Avenue to a minimum, it is a backward step not to provide a safer intersection at Potts Road and Coleman Parade,” Mr Piccolo said.

“Some Coleman Parade residents will have to drive north past Ames Drive and turn left onto Sherriff Street if they want to access Main North Road safely.

“It is unfortunate that the needs of local residents come a distant second to Council’s political priorities.

“At some point in time it would be great if Council’s priorities could reflect the people’s agenda, rather than their own.”