Alexandrina Council has secured $1.37 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program. 

The LRCI Program supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The funding will deliver six projects in the Alexandrina region, identified as priority local road and community infrastructure projects. 

Funded projects include: 

• Randell Road, Hindmarsh Island 
• Sunter Street Bridge, Strathalbyn 
• Freemans Lookout, Port Elliot 
• Currency Creek Bridge 
• Bristow Smith Public Toilets, Goolwa 
• Strathalbyn Cemetery Stone Wall. 

Alexandrina Council Mayor Keith Parkes has welcomed the funding to progress these important projects across the region. 

“Improved road safety and conservation of our historical landmarks is enormously important to the Alexandrina community. 

“As we continue to grow and see visitors to the Alexandrina region increase, it is important to see historical significant projects valued and restored to ensure they can be enjoyed for many years to come,” he says. 

Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie, who helped advocate for the funding, says these priority projects will improve community infrastructure throughout the Alexandrina Council area. 

“These community-building projects don’t just improve the areas in which they are built, they also help bring the entire region together,” she says. 

“Whether you live locally or are just visiting, these initiatives will help make it easier to enjoy the beauty of the Alexandrina region.” 

Project details: 

Hindmarsh Island’s Randell Road, between Tolarno Drive and Monument Road, will receive safety improvements of shoulder widening, vegetation trimming and other relevant road improvement works to cater for increased traffic volumes. Randell Road provides west-east access across Hindmarsh Island and links the island with Goolwa. As the only access to Hindmarsh Island from Goolwa, it is important to increase the safety of road users visiting and living on the island. 

Sunter Street Bridge in Strathalbyn restoration works will include repairing damaged columns and panels, and repainting the bridge in its original colours. The bridge was built in 1929 and is one of the main bridges in Strathalbyn, providing vehicle and pedestrian access over Angus River and the Soldiers Memorial Gardens. 

Freemans Lookout in Port Elliot is set to undergo three elements of restoration including coastal protection from erosion, drainage upgrades and the restoration of the 1936 Centenary Staircase. Erosion is occurring due to the stormwater runoff causing destabilisation, vegetation loss and eroded embankments. The Centenary Staircase will also undergo restoration works to conserve it. 

The Currency Creek Bridge restoration works will reinforce and preserve the bridge to visually improve the landscape and create an interactive learning space for the heritage listed infrastructure. The bridge has Local and State heritage significance because of its rare vertical laminated timber arches and is reported to be the only remaining bridge of this kind in Australia. It is therefore listed on the State’s Heritage Register and has support to be restored to a ‘pedestrian friendly’ strength acknowledging the significance and allow people to learn and appreciate the historical significance of the bridge.

The Bristow Smith Public Toilets, Goolwa will receive an upgrade to improve the public amenities for the community and visiting tourists. The toilets have deteriorated over time and are in need of upgrade to provide improved facilities. 

The Strathalbyn Cemetery Stone Wall is set to have restoration works to repair the deteriorating wall. Identified as a priority in a recent Council Cemetery Review and work undertaken by the ‘Friends of the Strathalbyn Cemetery’, repairing and restoring the wall will further protect the heritage asset and enhance the place 

Work is set to start later this year, with all projects to be completed by June 2023. For future project updates visit the Alexandrina Council website.