Roads
Construction and maintenance of the local roads network
The Council is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the local road network located within its boundaries. Details of the local road network are:
Sealed non built-up - 67kms
Formed non built-up - 1049kms
Unformed non built-up - 167kms
Sealed built-up - 25 kms
Formed built-up - 8kms
The Mallee Highway that passes through the district from East to West is the responsibility of the State authority, Transport SA. The Mallee is the shortest route between Adelaide and Sydney and is used by transport carriers moving produce and goods between the two capital cities of South Australia and New South Wales.
The Loxton to Bordertown Road that passes through the District on a North to South route is also the responsibility of the State authority.
The Council maintains a works depot in the towns of Lameroo and Pinnaroo and a sub depot is kept at Geranium where a maintenance grader operator is based. Generally, major construction roadworks are undertaken utilising staff and plant equipment accessed from both depots, and on other occasions resources kept at each depot are utilised to service the road needs of the immediate area near the town.
Most roads within the District are unsealed, and a major cost factor in maintaining the unsealed roads is the cost to transport road materials to the road. There are limited gravel pits in the area and significant travelling is required to move gravel to the site, which results in higher road making costs.
Road Upgrade Requests - Clay-Based to Sheeted
Council receives periodic requests from landowners and community members seeking the upgrade of clay-based roads to a sheeted standard. These requests are often driven by concerns relating to road safety, accessibility, freight movement, agricultural operations, emergency access and maintenance requirements.
Given the size of Council’s road network and the substantial capital investment associated with road upgrades, it is important that requests are assessed in a transparent, equitable and financially responsible manner.
The Upgrade of Clay-Based (Formed) Roads to Sheeted Roads Policy has been developed to provide a formal governance framework around these requests and ensure decisions are aligned with Council’s strategic and financial planning objectives.
The Road Upgrade Request Form is available below if you would like to submit a request: