A growing number of South Australian councils, including several across the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands and South Coast, are backing a push for a Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass.
Twenty-one councils, representing around 30 per cent of local governments across the state, have signed a joint letter calling for coordinated state and federal funding for the High Productivity Vehicle Network and the proposed freight bypass.
Among the councils supporting the plan are Adelaide Hills Council, Mount Barker District Council, Rural City of Murray Bridge, Mid Murray Council, Alexandrina Council, City of Victor Harbor, District Council of Yankalilla, Burnside Council and the City of Adelaide.
The proposal would divert heavy freight vehicles away from suburban roads and residential areas, instead routing trucks through a purpose-built corridor via Murray Bridge and Sedan.
Supporters argue the bypass would improve road safety, reduce congestion and deliver environmental benefits, particularly for communities along the South Eastern Freeway and other major freight corridors.
The advocacy effort is being coordinated by Burnside Council, near the western end of the South Eastern Freeway. Mayor Anne Monceaux says Adelaide is the only capital city in Australia with a major freight route running directly through suburban areas.
The councils have written to nine state and federal ministers and senior government officials, urging long-term funding commitments to deliver the full freight network rather than staged or partial upgrades.
No funding commitments have yet been announced in response to the letter.
