Member for Barker Tony Pasin has used a visit by Minister for Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Government, Hon. Mark Coulton MP, to highlight the potential for a river crossing at Spring Cart Gully.

While the idea is not new, Mr Pasin said he wanted to use the opportunity raise it with the Federal Minister.

“The Paringa bridge is not a long term option for heavy vehicles as it currently stands. Rather than replacing the Paringa Bridge, a river crossing at Spring Cart Gully could be an option,” Mr Pasin said.

“We need to start thinking now about the future of this transport route. The option of a river crossing in the vicinity of Spring Cart Gully Road to avoid heavy vehicles travelling through Renmark and Paringa hasn’t been properly investigated and I think it’s time it was put on the agenda,” Mr Pasin said.

“Obviously, this proposal would require significant investment in the road corridor to link up with the Sturt Highway into Victoria. While this is a long term vision, I think it needs to be considered and properly investigated to assess its merits.”

“The first step would be gauging what the local Riverland community thinks of the idea and what social and economic impacts this investment would have on communities both positive and negative,” Mr Pasin said.

“Let’s begin the conversation now so that we can have an efficient and safe transport corridor into the future,” Mr Pasin said.