Roads, Traffic and Footpaths

Alexandrina Council is responsible for over 530km of sealed roads and 770km of unsealed roads across a wide range of terrain from the high rainfall hills of Mount Compass and Kuitpo to the plains of Langhorne Creek and Milang. As well as roads, Council maintain a network of footpaths across all seven townships and a wide variety of bridges and major culverts.

Temporary Road, Bridges and Infrastructure Closures

Local Council owned road closure are listed below and State Road closures can be found via the following link to the State Government's Traffic SA website.

Speed Limit Changes, Strathalbyn
The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) has recently approved a request from Alexandrina Council to change speed limits along Dry Plains Road and Nine Mile Road at Strathalbyn. A review and community consultation on the speed limit changes were conducted in 2021 with DIT approached in 2022. DIT has approved the following:

An extension of the existing 50km/h speed limit along Dry Plains Road past the new SA Ambulance Service building.
70 km/h to replace 80 km/h speed limit on Forrest Road.
70 km/h to replace 100 km/h speed limit on Riverside Road between Nine Mile Road and Dry Plains Road
70 km/h to replace 80 km/h speed limit on Nine Mile Road and Dry Plains Road approx. 750m past Riverside Road.

Please view the changes on the Speed Zone Changes Map.

Long Valley Road, Strathalbyn
1.5 kilometres north of Long Valley Cottages Road to south of Mine Flat Road. Works are expected to commence on 16 May 2023 and be completed in mid-2024, weather permitting. To read the April 2024 Works Notice Update and for further information, visit www.dit.sa.gov.au/LongValley

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) has advised that in late March and early April its contractors will be removing some vegetation near their works on the overtaking lane 2 on Long Valley Road opposite the windmill at 1146 Long Valley Road near Strathalbyn. The works will allow for the installation of a crash barrier on the eastern side. DIT advised that it has approved removal of the trees on the understanding that they are amenity planted and will be able to be offset via the project’s on ground landscaping. The landscaping will be carried out during the wetter winter months. Long Valley Road is a DIT road and the overtaking lanes are a DIT project.

Ocean Road, Hayborough - Speed Limit Change
The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) has approved a request from the City of Victor Harbor to reduce the speed limit on Ocean Road at Hayborough from 60km/h to 50km/h. The City of Victor Harbor will be updating signage in March/April 2024. All enquiries regarding this speed limit change should be directed to the City of Victor Harbor via email localgov@victor.sa.gov.au or phone 8551 0500. DIT enquiries should be directed via email to DIT. EnquiriesAdministrator@sa.gov.au or phone 1300 872 667.

SA Water works on Waterport Road at Port Elliot
SA Water and its contractors are upgrading infrastructure for the Port Elliot and surrounding areas to accommodate future growth and increased water demand and to improve the reliability of water supply to the region. These works involved the installation of a new 1.7km long water main along Waterport Road between Lincoln Road and Hill Street.

This is not a Council project. Works are scheduled to start in mid-March and SA Water states that the project will take about five months to complete, depending on weather conditions and other technical constraints. Standard construction hours are 7 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. SA Water has advised that there will be no construction work on weekends, public holidays or school holidays. Traffic management will be in place along Waterport Road between Lincoln Road and Hill Street during construction hours - 7 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. This will include a detour during construction times and reduced speed during all other times to ensure the safety of the work crews and the community. During construction, access will be provided for residents and businesses located in the construction area. For more information regarding this project, please contact SA Water on 1300 729 283. SA Water contractors have advised that some "minor tree trimming" will occur in late March to allow for the operation of machinery. No trees will be removed.

Traffic management map - SA Water
Waterport Road Detour Map - SA Water
Letter to residents - SA Water

Event Road Closures and Speed Restrictions

Port Elliot ANZAC Day Dawn Service (Thursday 25 April 2024)

Pursuant to Section 33 of the Road Traffic Act, the following temporary road restrictions have been approved by SA Police for the Anzac Day Service event being held at The Strand, Port Elliot, between 5:30 am and 7:30 am on Thursday 25 April 2024.

Temporary road closure on The Strand, Port Elliot between Henry Street and Young Street between 5:30 am and 7:30 am on Thursday 25 April 2024.

Port Elliot ANZAC Day Dawn Service - Traffic Management Plan

Strathalbyn ANZAC Day Dawn Service (Thursday 25 April 2024)

Pursuant to Section 33 of the Road Traffic Act, the following temporary road restrictions have been approved by SA Police for the Anzac Day Service event being held at Sunter Street, Strathalbyn, between 5:00 am and 7:00 am on Thursday 25 April 2024.

Temporary road closure on Sunter Street, Strathalbyn between Swale Street and Rankine Street between 5:00am and 7:00am on Thursday 25 April 2024.

Strathalbyn ANZAC Day Dawn Service - Traffic Management Plan

Southern Surf Festival (27 - 28 April 2024)

Pursuant to Section 33 of the Road Traffic Act, the following temporary road restrictions have been approved by SA Police for the Southern Surf Festival conducted at Middleton between 7 am on Saturday 27 April 2024 and 6 pm on Sunday 28 April 2024.

Temporary closure of the car park on Ocean Parade Middleton at Middleton Point between 7.00am on Saturday 27 April 2024 and 6.00pm on Sunday 28 April 2024.

Pursuant to Section 17 of the Road Traffic Act, a temporary 25 km/h speed restriction will be in place for the Southern Surf Festival at the following location between 7 am on Saturday 27 April 2024 and 6 pm on Sunday 28 April 2024.

Dover Road, Middleton (between Highland Terrace and Ocean Parade Car Park)

Southern Surf Festival Traffic Management Map

Bridges / Pedestrians Paths:

Hutchinson Street pedestrian access to Goolwa Oval Recreation Precinct
The Hutchinson Street pedestrian access to the Goolwa Oval Recreation Precinct will be restricted due to landscape construction works. There will be no safe access to the southern corridor of the Precinct until early 2024. During this period, the recommended alternative is to use Wildman Street footpath from Hutchinson Street. For further information, visit the Goolwa Oval Recreation Precinct project page.

Currency Creek Viaduct Bridge
The walking track will be closed until further notice.

Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) Roads

Please note that Council does not repair roads owned by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT). DIT maintained roads in the Alexandrina Council area are:

Adelaide Road
Alexandrina Road
Bridge Road (Langhorne Creek)
Brookman Road
Bull Creek Road
Cadell Street (Goolwa)
Callington Road
East Terrace (Strathalbyn)
Goolwa Road
Hays Street (Goolwa)
Hindmarsh Island Bridge
Hutchinson Street (Goolwa)
Langhorne Creek Road
Long Valley Road
Luard Street (Milang)
Manse Road (Strathalbyn)
Milang Road
North Terrace (Port Elliot)
Pages Flat Road
Paris Creek Road
Port Elliot Road
Hindmarsh Island Bridge (Hindmarsh Island)
Sandergrove Road (Strathalbyn)
South Terrace (Strathalbyn)
Strathalbyn Road
Victor Harbor Road
West Terrace (Strathalbyn).

For maintenance for one of the above roads, please contact DIT at www.dit.sa.gov.au/contact_us

Footpaths and Verges

Further information is provided below on Verge/Nature Strips, Tree Planting and Removals, as well as frequently asked questions and key documents related to these.

Alexandrina Council encourages all residents to maintain their own verge in front of their property. Residents are encouraged to mow grassed areas and keep the area neat and tidy.

It is an offence to plant a tree, remove a tree or landscape the verge without approval from Council. If you wish to do this, please complete a Residential Landscaping Application form and submit to Council. Download the form Residential Landscaping Application.

Tree Planting and Removals

Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of all trees on Council land, including those that have been planted by residents on Council verges. Residents and ratepayers are not authorised to prune or remove trees on Council land without prior written approval from Council.

In rural areas, trees that are native to an area are afforded an additional layer of protection under the Native Vegetation Act and may not be pruned or removed without prior approval.

Council views tree removal as an action of last resort. In cases where there is no viable alternative to removal, a tree removal fee applies. Tree removal/replacement fees are charged in certain circumstances as per the Tree Management Procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q I would like the tree on my verge/nature strip removed

A Council does not remove trees on Nature strips unless they are dead, unsafe or causing major infrastructure problems.

Q I would like to plant trees/shrubs on Council verge/nature strip adjacent my property

A Council must be contacted prior to any planting occurring on Council land to assess the suitability of planting and plant species. The tree planting species list shows what species are suitable for different areas in the district.

Q Can Council plant a tree on the verge/nature strip?

A Yes, on request Council will provide 1 street tree per allotment and will maintain that tree for 12 months. Trees are planted in winter. Tree planting requests are put on a list and worked through until budgeted money is spent, then resume in the new financial year. It is possible to have to wait 2 or more years for a tree. This will be determined by the number of requests we receive in the future.

Q Can Council prune vegetation on a path or roadside to improve vision or accessibility?

A Yes, these requests are given priority and will be attended to within 3 weeks of the request depending on the severity of the situation.

Q Can Council come and mow my overgrown verge?

A No, Council does not provide this service to the community. Council can undertake verge spraying to eliminate verge vegetation if required.