Commenting on the story: Transport Minister backs Riverlea rail link – but says more population growth needed

Why isn’t this something thought about when developing these greenfields sites?

Such as requiring the developers to contribute to the cost to build all/part of the public transport upgrades as part of the development approval process?

It seems the government just kicks the can down the road and leaves it as a problem for tomorrow. – Julian Thompson

No, Riverlea doesn’t need a train line or public transport as surrounding areas will lose their country status and living expenses and council rates will go through the roof.

It is bad enough that all of the homes are built right on top of each other with no space between homes.

If you want to live in the country with the advantage of the city, then don’t move to country areas. – Paula Cummins 

The population of the Riverlea housing development is projected to reach 40,000 someday, and at present they have only an hourly metro bus service.

Gee. I wouldn’t begrudge them a rail link one day – but what about communities like Murray Bridge, which doesn’t have a metro bus service of any kind, despite having 22,000 residents and a projected population of 35,000 by the 2040s?

Only 5.7% of Riverlea residents are able to use public transport to get to work, Thomas Kelsall notes; but in Murray Bridge it’s only 0.4%, even when almost a third of local workers commute in or out each day.

“We’re doing planning out north and out south,” Minister Koutsantonis says – but is he looking far enough to the east? – Peri Strathearn

Commenting on the story: Glen Osmond Road targeted for speed limit cut

Here we go again. Instead of looking for alternative solutions there’s a reflex action to slow traffic down.

Glen Osmond Road was built as a major arterial into the city centre, and provides access to other major arterial roads, like Greenhill Road and Fullarton Road.

These roads were built for vehicle usage, not for pedestrians. Everywhere else, including Portrush Road, there are lights installed for that exact purpose. This is a major road from interstate and should be taking priority.

If changes are required, they should include banning all parking between 6am and 7pm so that this roadway can actually function as a major road, not a pedestrian-friendly area. We can’t take the risk out of everything.

If the State and Unley Council really want to shut down access to the CBD they should say so, please don’t couch it in terms of safety when there are other methods available.

Motorists appear to be, and are in my opinion, the bottom of the food chain. Pedestrians and bicyclists are above them. Maybe motorists should be asking for reductions in road taxes since they aren’t the priority any longer. – Bob Sibson