Frequently Asked Questions

The Australian Road Rules defines a truck as a motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) over 4.5 tonnes, except a bus, tram or tractor.

The “No Trucks” sign is enforceable under Rule 104 of the Australian Road Rules (ARR). ARR Rule 104 (2) allows for the sign to indicate a length restriction, and Rule 104(4) provides an exemption for drivers if their destination lies beyond a no trucks sign and –

(a) there is no other route by which the driver's vehicle could reach that destination; or

(b) any other route by which the driver's vehicle could reach that destination would require the vehicle to pass another no trucks sign.

The “No Trucks” sign is specified in the Australian Standard AS 1742.2 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Part 2: Traffic Control Devices for General Use.

Under Section 17 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, a road authority requires approval from the Minister to install traffic control devices (such as the No Trucks signs) on, above or near a road.  This approval from the Minister is granted to Councils and the Commissioner of Highways and delegated to other positions within the Department for Infrastructure and Transport.  The No Trucks signs are installed under these powers.

Throughout extensive community engagement over the last three years we have consistently heard that the local community would like to see a reduction in traffic and heavy vehicles on Hahndorf’s main street (Mount Barker Road). We have also heard the importance of protecting the town’s unique heritage. This regulatory solution has been implemented by the Department and will support a number of other traffic measures in the surrounding area including upgrades to the Verdun and Mount Barker interchanges.

It is expected that this will remove around 130 heavy vehicle movements from Hahndorf every day.

From Monday, 30 October 2023, trucks over 15m are no longer permitted to drive through the township of Hahndorf. Signs have been installed on major entry points to Hahndorf to alert truck drivers, advance warning signs have also been placed in strategic locations around the broader road network.

All semi-trailers and truck/trailer combinations of over 15 metres in length will need to abide by the Hahndorf township restrictions. Buses will not be impacted by this change.

Yes, trucks whose main destination is Hahndorf will still be permitted – for example deliveries to local businesses. The restrictions only apply to trucks that are passing through the town.

There are multiple alternative routes for truck drivers to use depending on their origin and destination. Truck drivers may choose to go around Hahndorf via Strathalbyn Road, Onkaparinga Valley Road, Flaxley Road, Junction Road, River Road, Mount Barker Road or via the South Eastern Freeway, for example.

Maintenance works on River Road and Strathalbyn Road commenced on 14 September and include vegetation management, shoulder sealing, and fixing of localised pavement failures.

Minor intersection improvements at Kangaroo Reef Road, Sawmill Gully Road and Fairview Road.

In addition, improvements at the junctions of Strathalbyn Road/River Road and Mount Barker Road/River Road are planned.

A general speed limit review has been completed.  To complement safety enhancements in the area, effective Thursday, 26 October 2023, the speed limit has been reduced from 80km/h to 60 km/h on River Road and on Mount Barker Road between the roundabout at the South Eastern Freeway off-ramp and the existing 60km/h speed limit on the western approach to the Hahndorf township.

The removal of trucks is part of the overall revitalisation of the Hahndorf Main Street. This upgrade aims to improve the amenity, safety and experience for the people using Main Street, supporting Hahndorf to remain a thriving Adelaide Hills community and one of South Australia’s most loved tourism destinations.

The Department has not changed the classification of any roads, other than updating the PBS1A classification in Hahndorf, to include a note on the new restriction.

This has been reflected on RAVNET, the on-line tool used by Heavy Vehicle Operators to plan their route.

These roads were already general access routes allowing for trucks up to 19m in length, and heavy vehicle movements are already being undertaken safely.

These roads are already general access routes allowing for trucks up to 19m in length, and heavy vehicle movements are already being undertaken safely. We anticipate that heavy vehicles will use a range of roads that best suit their vehicle, origin and destination.

These works commenced in September with vegetation management, shoulder sealing and apron sealing along River Road and Strathalbyn Road.

Other works, including improvements at the junctions of Strathalbyn Road/River Road and Mount Barker Road/River Road, and minor improvements at the intersections of River Road with Kangaroo Reef Road, Sawmill Gully Road and Fairview Road, are expected to commence in 2024. This timeframe will be subject to community consultation, design development, and necessary approvals.

Any construction work will be undertaken in strict accordance with legislative requirements including the Environment Protection Act 1993. A Construction Environmental Management Plan will be prepared and implemented, to ensure there is no impact on waterways via the use of appropriate construction site management measures.

Following extensive consultation with the community on a range of options for Hahndorf, it was decided not to proceed with any of the new accesses to the South Eastern Freeway. No option received sufficient community support, with some solutions being particularly divisive within the community. The impacts on private property (i.e. property acquisition) did not outweigh the benefits.

The approved solution is to upgrade the Mount Barker and Verdun interchanges. This, along with the Main Street truck restriction will remove a further 940 cars and small trucks each day from the Main Street.

These roads are already general access routes and for heavy vehicle use. We don’t expect all of the trucks diverted from Hahndorf will use the same road but that they will disperse based on where they are coming from and going to.

The use of exhaust brakes will be monitored.

A general speed limit review has been completed.  To complement safety enhancements in the area, effective Thursday, 26 October 2023, the speed limit has been reduced from 80km/h to 60 km/h on River Road and on Mount Barker Road between the roundabout at the South Eastern Freeway off-ramp and the existing 60km/h speed limit on the western approach to the Hahndorf township.

No. This solution does not require any private land acquisition.

We are aware that the Heysen Trail uses the road verge in some locations and will consider this as part of our upcoming improvements.

Targeted shoulder sealing is being undertaken at key locations improving safety for people cycling and walking.

This solution to restrict large trucks from Hahndorf is planned to work in conjunction with the measures already announced, including an upgrade to deliver a full interchange at Verdun, and a major upgrade at the Mount Barker Interchange.

On 1 May 2023, the Australian Government announced a Strategic Review of its Infrastructure Investment Program. The Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrade project is included within this review. Following the review, scope and delivery timelines will be confirmed for this project.

The Department has undertaken extensive consultation on finding a solution for traffic in and around Hahndorf. The community clearly told us they wanted larger trucks removed from their streets.

This solution removes the heavy trucks from the township without the significant impact of an interchange, which would require infrastructure and property acquisitions that would impact on the rich heritage of the region. The Department is consulting with industry and local government.

No, this is a different approach to those presented previously to the local community, which will address the Hahndorf community’s clear call to remove larger trucks from their street and work with the Verdun and Mt Barker Interchange interventions.

No. We anticipate that this solution will result in up to 130 fewer large trucks using Hahndorf’s Main Street every day. The road network in the broader Adelaide Hills area provides multiple opportunities for truck drivers to choose the best route that suits their vehicle, and these routes are not limited to River Road and Strathalbyn Road.

Larger trucks are already carrying a variety of goods such as livestock and logs on other roads throughout the Adelaide Hills.

Members of the community are encouraged to visit the project website www.dit.sa.gov.au/hahndorf and subscribe for updates to receive project information as it becomes available.

Some activities on construction sites are noisy. Although some noise may be unavoidable, every effort is made to utilise best work practices to minimise impact to the community.

Construction noise associated with public infrastructure works (construction, maintenance and repair) is excluded from the Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007. However, the Department still has a duty of care in accordance with the Environment Protection Act 1993 to take all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent or minimise any environmental harm associated with noisy activities.

In accordance with the Department’s Guideline for the Management of Noise and Vibration: Construction and Maintenance Activities, which is referenced by the SA Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in their Construction noise information sheet (EPA 425/23, updated September 2023), normal construction hours are 7:00am to 7:00pm Monday to Saturday, and 9:00am to 7:00pm Sunday and public holidays. Works outside of those hours are considered to be Night Works, which require specific justification and a Night Works Management Plan with additional mitigation measures to be implemented.

As works progress along River Road and Strathalbyn Road, it may be necessary to temporarily restrict access to driveways.  If this is required, staff on site will communicate directly with residents or property owners in advance and make every effort to minimise inconvenience.

The Department is undertaking clearance envelope vegetation management in accordance with our standard vegetation clearance envelope (up to 6 metres in height).  As these works to improve line of sight and safety are occurring within the road corridor vegetation clearance envelope, they are considered to be a maintenance activity and no approval or permit is required in accordance with the Native Vegetation Regulations 2017.

This activity is being carefully supervised by an arborist. A fauna specialist is on call should they be needed.

Further to the clearance envelope maintenance vegetation management works, we engaged an independent Native Vegetation Council accredited vegetation surveyor to undertake an assessment of the vegetation along River Road to prepare for the shoulder sealing works.

Any vegetation impacts will be managed and offset in accordance with legislative requirements and the Department’s guidelines.

This same process will also be implemented on the Echunga to River Road section of Strathalbyn Road.

Clearance envelope and surveying workers have been directed to only park vehicles on formed surfaces, these include sealed or unsealed shoulders.

Wildlife considerations form part of the Department’s standard Environment and Heritage Impact Assessment processes. Native vegetation surveys, like the one recently completed for River Road, take into account fauna habitat and ecological communities as part of the data that is captured.

The Department understands the ecological importance of roadside native vegetation and will continue to prioritise minimising the potential impacts to native vegetation and fauna associated with these works.