The NT Government has released its findings from the second stage of a community consultation which explored possible options to improve flood immunity in the Mount Johns Valley and Desert Springs areas of Alice Springs.
Currently, when the Todd River floods residents and businesses in these areas are unable to access the Alice Springs CBD or Stuart Highway and the only access is through a private service road that is not built to Australian road safety standards.
The consultation offered five options for discussion, these included three possible connector roads and two possible high level bridges;
Option 1: Stephens Road to Sadadeen Road - direct route
Option 2: Stephens Road to Sadadeen Road - eastern route
Option 3: Tuncks Road to Sadadeen Road - via the private access road
Option 4: Stephens Road (high level bridge)
Option 5: Tuncks Road (high level bridge)
Louise Mccormick, General Manager, Transport and Civil Services, highlighted participant numbers and key findings from the consultation.
“We received 119 written responses and approximately 100 people attended the public information displays at Alice Plaza and the Yeperenye Shopping Centre,” said Ms Mccormick.
“Findings indicated that 83% of stakeholders preferred a connector road option to improve connectivity and most members of the public knew about the project and were not surprised by the options.”
Most stakeholders also supported for the removal of the Tuncks Road floodway, once a solution was in place and expressed concern that potential additional traffic from a connector road might contribute to traffic congestion on Sadadeen Road.
Ms McCormick confirmed there are no immediate plans to commence work on the connector road, however works will be considered within future funding programs.
“Sadadeen Connector Road is listed in the 10 year infrastructure plan as a longer term priority,” she said.
Key findings from this community consultation will be taken into consideration during the development of engineering concept designs for the duplication of the Stuart Highway through Heavitree Gap.
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