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The State Government this week released SA’s AusRAP star ratings, marking a significant step forward in transparency around road funding. The ratings assess key corridors for safety on a scale of one to five stars.
RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain welcomed the release of the data, saying it would help identify and prioritise investment across the network.
“These ratings provide a clear picture of where investment into our roads and intersections needs to be prioritised,” Mr Mountain said.
“This data gives us the evidence we need to ensure funding is directed to the roads that need it most.
Mr Mountain said the ratings support RAA’s own road assessments and investigations, including those covering the local government network, and build on advocacy the organisation has long championed.
“RAA will continue working with the State and Federal Governments to lift more major roads to a three-star rating, with most currently sitting at two stars.
“Currently 55 per cent of travel on South Australia’s highways occurs on three-star or better roads, against a national target of 80 per cent by 2030.
“These ratings highlight why we need to see road maintenance funding increased from $189 million to at least $250 million annually.
“An annual investment of $250 million won’t eliminate the backlog, but it’s the minimum level needed so the situation doesn’t deteriorate further.”
It’s worth noting the AusRAP ratings only cover the network overseen by the State Government and don’t extend to roads administered by local councils.
In RAA’s Growth without Gridlock platform, the organisation is calling for better support for local councils to fix their roads through improved asset management tools, given 77 per cent of SA roads fall under local council responsibility.