A United Voice, the Burnside Advocacy Plan
Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass
The City of Burnside’s first-ever Advocacy Plan marks a new chapter on how Council champions the priorities that matter most to our community.
This plan takes a strategic approach to engaging with state and federal government decision-makers, securing funding and influencing policies that support the future of Burnside.
In selecting priorities, Council considered factors such as community support, readiness to proceed and city-wide benefit. Council will advocate for initiatives that preserve and enhance the lifestyle, character and liveability of Burnside. The plan outlines key capital projects, ongoing funding initiatives and policy matters shaping Burnside’s sustainable growth, along with smaller neighbourhood projects, delivering lasting benefits for all Burnside residents.
One major advocacy priority is the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass (GAFB), a transformative project designed to redirect heavy freight vehicles away from Adelaide and the South Eastern Freeway. This is a part of the wider Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) High Productivity Vehicle Network (HPVN).
Currently, more than 870,000 heavy vehicles travel through the City of Burnside each year along Portrush Road and Glen Osmond Road, passing homes, schools and aged care facilities. Adelaide is the only capital city in Australia where the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s heavy vehicle network passes through residential suburbs of the city.
National Freight Data Hub statistics from 2018 reveal that an average of 2,404 heavy vehicles travel on Portrush Road and Glen Osmond Road each day, while 273 people have lost their lives or were seriously injured as a result of a road crash on Portrush Road, Glen Osmond Road and the South Eastern Freeway within the City of Burnside boundary.
By diverting this traffic through a new northern freight corridor, the GAFB would significantly improve road safety, reduce noise and air pollution and create safer, more liveable neighbourhoods.
In March 2025 as part of the Federal Budget the Federal Labor government committed $525m over 10 years to the project.
Council strongly supports the project and is advocating for the State Government to match the Federal Government’s commitment, ensuring this vital infrastructure becomes a reality. Through continued collaboration and advocacy, Council aims to protect the wellbeing of our residents and promote a safer, cleaner and more connected Burnside.
At the current time, Council is gathering community transport data that will inform a case for consideration by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and the Department of Infrastructure and Transport.
Other projects covered by the City of Burnside Advocacy Plan include:
• The Regal Theatre Precinct Redevelopment
• Glenunga Oval Reconstruction
• Kensington Baseball Clubroom Upgrade
• Moorcroft Bridge Restoration
• Sustainable Public Library Services Funding
• Bus Service Improvements
• Greater Adelaide Regional Plan and Code Amendments to
Implement the City Master Plan
• High Productivity Vehicle Network/ Greater Adelaide
Freight Bypass
• Glenside Urban Corridor (Living) Code Amendment
• Increased Community Use of School Sports Facilities
• Commonwealth Home Support Program Funding
• Neighbourhood Projects
You can view the full Advocacy Plan here: City of Burnside Advocacy Plan
