The Roads (Opening and Closing) Act 1991 is South Australian legislation that sets out the legal process for opening new public roads or closing existing public roads. It ensures that changes to the road network are properly assessed, publicly notified and administered in accordance with statutory requirements.

A road reserve is public land set aside for road-related purposes. It may include the roadway, footpath, verge, kerb, gutter, and areas reserved for current or future road infrastructure.

A road closure is the legal process of removing land from the public road network. If approved, the land is no longer required for road purposes and may be reallocated, sold or incorporated into adjoining property, subject to legal requirements.

Road closures may be considered for reasons such as:

• surplus or unused road reserve
• boundary realignments
• consolidation of fragmented parcels of land
• historical road alignments no longer required
• enabling orderly development of adjacent properties

A road closure is not determined by the council alone. The process involves:

• The local council initiating and assessing the proposal
• Statutory administration by the Office of the Surveyor-General
• Public notification and opportunity for submissions
• The consideration of objections
• Final approval through the Ministerial/State process (where required under the Act)

No. At this stage, the road is still legally public land. The consultation is part of the process required before any decision is made about whether the road should be closed.

If the proposal proceeds, it typically applies only to a portion of surplus road reserve. Existing roadways and footpaths are generally designed to remain unchanged and available for public use. Any impacts are clearly identified in the Preliminary Plan.

Yes. Members of the public can make submissions during the consultation period. Find out more on this page.

If the road closure is approved, the land may be:

• Sold to an adjoining landowner
• Added to adjacent property titles
• Retained by council or the State in some circumstances

Please note any disposal is subject to statutory requirements and Council resolution.

If land is sold following a road closure, valuation is typically undertaken in accordance with statutory requirements and council policies, this will involve an independent valuation.

Service authorities are consulted as part of the statutory process. If there is any infrastructure located within the road reserve, it may be necessary to create easements or protections before a closure can proceed.

The Office of the Surveyor-General administers key parts of the process, including ensuring that the proposal complies with the Act, co-ordinating statutory notices and recording changes to the state’s cadastral (land boundary) system.

Personal information is collected for the purpose of contacting contributors about their contributions, verifying submissions where necessary, and understanding more about contributors at the individual and community level. Personal information will not be shared publicly in Council Agendas or reports.

Information such as address may be provided to the Surveyor General’s Office in-line with the Roads (Opening and Closing) Act 1991 for the purposes of assessing the proposal.

See our Community Engagement Policy and Privacy Policy (link opens in a new window).

The content of submissions (excluding personal information) is used to inform the subject of the community engagement and the decision-making process. This content is treated as a public document upon receipt and may be published in Council agendas, reports, Council websites and publications.

We make efforts to 'close-the-loop' with project contributors and followers. We may occasionally send information to acknowledge a contribution, provide key updates on engagement and project processes and outcomes.

See our Community Engagement Policy and Privacy Policy (link opens in a new window).

June 2026, we are undertaking community engagement on a new Community Engagement Policy, find out more (closes 12 July 2026).

After the community engagement has been completed:

• All contributions will be collated and reviewed.
• Contributors may be contacted about their contribution.
• A decision will be made whether to proceed with the proposal.
  • If it is decided to proceed with the proposal, the matter will continue through the statutory process under the Act.
• We make efforts to 'close-the-loop' with project contributors and followers.

We may occasionally send information to acknowledge a contribution, provide key updates on engagement and project processes and outcomes.