Victor Harbor Mayor Moira Jenkins has apologised  to Encounter Bay residents and businesses for major traffic disruption on Sunday 12 March, caused by annual the triathlon.

In a video message the mayor said the triathlon had been successfully held in the area since the 1990s.

She said a change of management and venue to Warland Reserve had led to traffic management that did not operate as expected.

“I know for many of you the traffic problems that you experienced were beyond frustrating.

“Please be assured that these issues are being addressed.”

The City of Victor Harbor had warned road users to plan ahead and expect delays.

It said Victoria Street, George Main Road and Inman Valley Road would be used for the cycle component of the triathlon on the Sunday and detours would be in place, but that emergency services access would be maintained throughout all road closures and resident and business access would be facilitated by traffic controllers.  

Many residents and business owners took to Facebook to complain of long delays, lack of signage  and poor marshalling of the event.

Ms Jenkins said the council will work with the triathlon organisers to ensure the situation does not happen again.

“We will get to the bottom of what happened and we will address all of these issues.”