It may have taken over 40 years, but we did it!  On Sunday 28 July 2019, together with the Federal Member for Boothby, Nicolle Flint MP, Minister for Transport & Infrastructure, the Hon Stephan Knoll MP, State colleague, Stephen Patterson MP and City of Marion Mayor, we celebrated the completion of the long awaited Oaklands Crossing Project. 

If you haven't had an opportunity to use the new Oaklands Railway Station recently, I encourage everyone to pop down, have a look and catch a train (or two!).  The Station looks fantastic, it is bright and airy and is a first class addition to our community.  

The landscaping works are also progressing well with a range of native trees, shrubs and ground covers planted along all four access points to the station.  

The Marshall Government’s 2019-20 State Budget is building a strong economy, growing jobs and delivering a bright future for South Australia.  It is building a better future for our local community and all South Australians. 

This morning marks a major win for our community, with funding announced for the grade separation of the Hove Railway Crossing at Brighton Road.  This is a giant step forward to fixing traffic congestion and improving safety along the Brighton Road Corridor.

I had the pleasure to meet with the Premier Steven Marshall MP, Minister for Transport, the Hon Stephen Knoll MP, the Hon David Speirs MP and Federal Member for Boothby Nicolle Flint MP this morning to announce that $171 million has been jointly secured by the Marshall and Morrison Governments.  

What a journey it has been!  This morning trains pulled in at the lowered Oaklands Railway Station.  It was a fantastic sight, and certainly one our community has worked long and hard to see achieved. 

Hasn’t time flown by? Only one more week until commuters will no longer have to stop for trains at Oaklands Crossing! 

Oaklands Crossing has been an issue in our community for decades and to finally see our community’s hard work payoff is nothing short of amazing.

As you may recall, it was in June 2017 that $174 million in Federal, State and Local Council funding was announced which would see the Seaford rail line be lowered to tunnel under Morphett Road as well as a new lowered Oaklands Railway Station. 

Each year I have the honour of presenting Community Recognition Awards to deserving people in our community whose work tends to go under the radar.  These people work tirelessly to improve and serve our local area but are often not formally recognised.  It is often the lesser known efforts that make the biggest difference to the lives of others.  Knowing this, I established these Community Recognition Awards to seek out those people and acknowledge how much their work is appreciated.

In March 2018, South Australians voted for a new government and a strong plan for real change.

The Marshall Liberal Government hasn't wasted a second delivering on our promises to create more jobs, lower costs and provide better services.

On Sunday, I was pleased to announce that there is now a light at the end of the tunnel for local residents, commuters and everyone else who has followed our Fix Oaklands Crossing journey! The crossing is set to be fixed for the most part in May, once the lowered Seaford railway line is connected. This means motorists will no longer have to stop for trains at the Morphett Road and Diagonal Road intersection!

Last week I was able to go on a guided tour of the Oaklands Crossing Project and receive a close up look at the impressive sunken station and Morphett Road bridge. The PTPA staff were extremely knowledgeable and have a great understanding of every little moving part which makes up the project. Please scroll down to see more photos taken during my time on site.

As we move in to March we will now see more roadworks (including night works) along Dunrobin, Diagonal and Morphett Roads. These works will include the installation of underground traffic signals and road lighting conduits in preparation for the new signalised Dunrobin / Diagonal intersection. This part of the project is due to be completed by the end of April.