GAWLER councillor Ian Tooley has called on Gawler Council to “embrace” potential zoning changes around the Gawler railway line put forward by planning minister Stephan Knoll as a way of combatting climate change.

Mr Knoll is currently preparing the Adelaide-Gawler Rail Corridor Uplift Ministerial Development Plan Amendment (DPA) for areas along the line, which could see the rezoning of parts of the Gawler town centre and urban suburbs such as Evanston, Evanston Park and Willaston.

The proposed zoning changes would lead to increased urban development around key railway stations to coincide with the increased passenger capacity the $615 million Gawler Rail Line  Electrification Project is expected to bring, once complete.

Speaking to The Bunyip, Mr Tooley said council shouldn’t fear the proposed changes and work with the State Government to boost the local economy and reduce the town’s carbon emissions.

He said initiatives such as ‘Park and Ride’ should be considered by council to increase patronage on the soon-to-be electrified rail line.

“My view is that we (Gawler Council) shouldn’t be fighting the State Government with this,” Cr Tooley said.

“We’ve got an electrified line, we should see the possibilities – how many towns would give their right arm to have public transport come to the end of their main street?

“They’re telling us they want to do rezoning around key railway stations, we should be embracing that and asking ‘how can we maximise that input for the benefit of our town?’

“Not only for the stimulation of our local economy, but to improve our carbon footprint.

“It’s a no brainer that if you can get people travelling en masse on public transport, rather than in individual cars, then you immediately reduce your consumption of fossil fuels.”

Councillors expressed concern in December that the DPA could have adverse effects on the town, with councillor David Hughes saying it had “the potential to put a wrecking ball through Gawler's character".