DPTI Matters - 22 May 2020

A word from the Chief Executive

If you have any comments, suggestions, questions or concerns, please email them to telltony@sa.gov.au.

Doing the right thing by our neighbours

When we’re working alongside local homes or businesses, one of our key goals is to be a good neighbour.

On that note I was pleased to see an email from a resident on Potts Road, at Evanston Park, acknowledging the work by our Gawler East Link Project team to accommodate them as they moved into a house and had trucks coming and going for renovations.

Among other positive feedback, the resident wrote that our teams had gone “above and beyond” for them.

“They have always acted in a professional manner and we are extremely grateful for all their assistance,” the email concluded.

Opening the doors to growth

Our Planning team continues to help pave the way for the rapid delivery of projects crucial to the recovery of South Australia’s post-COVID-19 economy.

The council consultation period for Crown development and public infrastructure applications has been temporarily reduced to 15 business days under both the Development Act and the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act, while the Crown Development threshold for public consultation has been raised from $4 million to $10 million under the Development Act.

These changes, designed to expedite job-creating projects, fall under the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020 and will remain in place until relevant declarations relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 in South Australia are ended or 9 October 2020, whichever is the earlier.

Thanks to those involved in working on innovative solutions to move our state forward.

Marking 20 years of Reconciliation

National Reconciliation Week 2020 will run from 27 May to 3 June, and with COVID-19 limiting our activities, DPTI staff are invited to share in a virtual experience to mark this important annual event.

The dates for National Reconciliation Week remain the same each year, commemorating two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

This year is the twentieth anniversary of the reconciliation walks of 2000, when people came together to walk on bridges and roads across the nation to show their support for a more reconciled Australia.

Together we are still striving towards establishing a more just, equitable nation by championing unity and mutual respect as we come together and connect with one another.

To this end I encourage all DPTI staff to take part in the virtual Reconciliation Week.

Sharing our skills with others

Sharing our expertise across government departments is always a privilege and it’s been great to have Policy Advisor Grant Sellek involved in the important work that led to the trial of real-time fuel price monitoring in South Australia.

Grant was seconded to the SA Productivity Commission to help investigate the possibilities of such a move and his significant contribution and collegiate spirit were recently recognised in a letter of thanks from the Commission Chair.

“It was your research on the topic that helped develop our understanding of the implications of fuel price schemes on motorists,” the letter said.

We are fortunate to have a so many highly skilled people in the department and it’s pleasing to see their talents widely recognised.

Moving ahead on the Darlington upgrade

The Darlington Upgrade Project is continuing towards completion, with the new Flinders Drive extension progressing well.

The extension will see a new signalised intersection at Birch Crescent/Sturt Road and Flinders Drive.

Finishing works are currently under way with final kerbing, footpaths, landscaping and asphalting to be completed.

A recently completed rest stop along Main South Road, referred to as a bike node. This facility has seating and landscaping incorporated into it.

Playing our part in easing restrictions

As South Australia begins cautiously easing restrictions introduced to flatten the COVID-19 curve, we all have a very important role to play.

This is certainly not the time to become complacent and, as well as keeping up great hygiene and social distancing practices, we can assist in the fight by providing contact tracing data in the event of an outbreak.

The best way to do this is to download and run the COVIDSafe app, which will help authorities contact us quickly if we’ve been in contact with someone who has the virus. I encourage everyone to play their part.

Friday Flashback

Today’s Friday Flashback shows two trolley buses and other vehicles travelling along Rundle Street at the intersection with Pulteney Street in 1952.

SLSA B 77515