The $11 million Dublin Saleyard Access Upgrade has reached a significant milestone, with improvements to Carslake Road and the entrance of the South Australian Livestock Exchange now complete.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said the facility will have increasing importance to South Australia’s livestock industry with the expected growth of exports of Australian meat helping to connect communities and improve safety, while creating jobs and supporting our economic recovery.
“The Dublin saleyard is an incredibly important piece of the agricultural jigsaw in SA with some 12 to 14 road trains, mostly B doubles, arriving at the facility each week,” he said.
“Traffic loads on the Port Wakefield road continue to increase and the Federal Government in partnership with the State has been funding extensive upgrades including the Port Wakefield overpass and the commitment to duplicate the Port Augusta Highway.
“This project has supported 34 full-time equivalent jobs through the construction period which is excellent.
“However, the real benefits lie in the provision of first-class access in and out of the saleyards.
“Currently the Government has either spent or is committed to spend more than a billion dollars across the major road networks in the Grey electorate. This investment in almost every case has been accompanied by a 20% contribution from the State Government.
“It is simply unprecedented.
“We continue to invest in regional Australia because we understand the value of its contribution to the whole nation and in so many ways our rural industries provide the foundations for a modern successful Australia.”
Manager South Australian Livestock Exchange Andrew Lepley said with stock coming from all across SA, NT and south west Queensland, the importance of the access works cannot be underestimated.
“The facility averages around 70,000 cattle and 650,000 sheep a year and the upgrade of the intersection will eliminate the risk of serious vehicle accidents and will allow heavy vehicle drivers to enter the carriageway without causing traffic mayhem,” he said.
“Carslake Road has become very busy with heavy vehicles in the last 2-3 years with the construction of two grain terminals and also a log transfer station- all of these industries use road trains.”
South Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard said the project, which commenced in February 2021, was another great example of the State and Federal governments’ massive investment in infrastructure projects in regional South Australia.
“The Australian and South Australian governments are committed to building what matters to our regional communities,” Minister Wingard said.
Works on the Port Wakefield Highway/Carslake Road junction upgrade are well progressed, with completion expected in the coming weeks.
Right-turn movements from Carslake Road onto Port Wakefield Highway will be the final works to be completed. All other turning movements at the junction have been reopened.
Road users are asked to plan ahead, and please take extra care when workers are on site. Observe speed limits, lane restrictions and traffic controllers when travelling through the area.
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 0417827523
Sept 17 2021
