A future State Liberal Government would axe the Gawler Metro Bus Service and turn Gawler into a traffic thoroughfare for the Southern Barossa Region, State Parliament heard last week.
Speaking to a motion moved by the Member for Schubert, Mr Stephan Knoll, local Member Mr Tony Piccolo took exception that Mr Knoll did not mention the importance of public transport in addressing Gawler’s traffic issues.
Mr Piccolo noted that it is interesting what Mr Knoll’s motion did not talk about and that he did not mention the need for public transport at all. “It is not unusual, because he is a member of the Liberal Party and the Liberal Party, both at a state level and a federal level, has an aversion to public transport,” said Mr Piccolo.
“The member for Schubert did not mention public transport once, and I will tell you why he did not mention public transport once: because at the last state election the Liberal Party was going to axe the Gawler bus service.”
“That was their policy: they were going to axe it. They do not support public transport.”
“Tony Abbott made very clear that, as a national government, he would never support public transport in any place in Australia.”
“Not only that, the current Liberal government is not supporting public transport. They have put no money into the electrification of the Gawler line.” The Federal Government’s forward estimates state that by 2019/20 the Commonwealth will be investing $0.00 in rail transport.
Mr Tony Piccolo took exception to comments made by the Member for Schubert that the proposed Gawler East link road should be upgraded to a bypass through the eastern parts of the town to improve traffic flow for the southern parts of the Barossa.
Mr Piccolo believes that Mr Knoll’s motivation has nothing to do with Gawler or Gawler residents. “He tries to dress it up that way: it is about the southern Barossa,” Said Mr Piccolo.
“But, please, do not come into this place and pretend to care about Gawler,”
“It is a complete disgrace that the member for Schubert would come in here and talk about improving the quality of life for people in Gawler and to say that the answer is this link road from Potts Road to Tiver Road.”
“It is quite clear that he does not understand that community at all.”
Mr Piccolo stated that Gawler’s traffic issues require a three pronged strategy: improving the effectiveness of the existing road system, investing in new infrastructure and public transport and by improving pedestrian access in the town.
Mr Piccolo outlined a number of projects undertaken in the electorate to improve the existing road network and road safety, including the recently installed pedestrian crossing at the Gawler Central train station.
Mr Knoll said “When you talk about decreasing the number of car parking spaces and putting in extra pedestrian crossings, you actually make it harder for road traffic”.
“If you [Member for Schubert] are going to come into this place and talk about improving traffic management in Gawler, firstly you need to understand the community and, secondly, you actually need to say to the community that it is entitled to a whole range of options which improve it.”
“I have supported upgrades of our train station; I have supported the electrification of Gawler rail. The only people who do not support it are the Liberal Party.”