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November 2023

The Australian Government has announced the outcomes of its Infrastructure Investment Program Review. The Review recommended that the Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrade will not receive Australian Government funding at this time. We are currently examining the outcomes of the Review and will share more information with the community as it’s available.

August 2023 – Removal of trucks from Hahndorf Main Street:

Large trucks will be banned from Hahndorf’s Main Street, removing around 130 heavy vehicles a day. The ban will apply to semi-trailers and trucks over 15 metres in length that do not have a destination in Hahndorf Main Street.

Any trucks over 15 metres in length (for example semi trailers), that are not required in the township, will be diverted to alternative routes, including an upgraded River Road or Strathalbyn Road.

Signs that say ‘No Trucks Over 15m In Length’ will be installed alerting drivers to the changed entry rules. Exemptions will be allowed if trucks need to reach a location on the main street or other destinations they cannot reach by any other route.

It is anticipated this approach will remove around 130 large heavy vehicles a day from the Main Street – a number equivalent to that modelled under previous bypass options.

It will also eliminate rat running of large trucks in the neighbouring streets of the Hahndorf township.

Improvements to River Road including tree trimming and shoulder sealing are planned, along with 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, along with minor works such as shoulder sealing and tree trimming at locations along Strathalbyn Road

This solution will work in conjunction with the measures already announced including the creation of a full interchange at Verdun, and a major upgrade at the Mount Barker Interchange, which modelling suggests would separately remove a further 940 cars and smaller trucks each day from the Main Street.

The ban will be monitored to assess its impact, and we will continue to consider longer-term solutions to broader traffic issues in Hahndorf.

Throughout the consultation undertaken about this project, 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 property acquisitions and infrastructure that would impact on the rich heritage of the region.

We will engage with industry and local Council before we implement the plan to ensure people are aware in advance of the change occurring.

A map of the area where the truck exclusion applies, and indicative location of where signs will be installed is provided below.

We look forward to further connecting with the local community shortly to share more about the plans and answer any questions.