Awarded for his advocacy campaign for making the Belair National Park rail crossing safe. Albert organised a protest at the National Park entrance, engaged with the local State MP and locals. With the help of Walking SA and State Government support, he hopes that this crossing can be made safe for everybody, including train drivers, and that walking groups will always be able to use crossing.
Albert Kuster was part of a Retire Active SA Bushwalkers C Grade walking group in early 2024, when the group was stopped at the railway crossing at the northern edge of Belair National Park near Pony Ridge Road. Two Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and two national park rangers advised that the crossing was closed and not safe for the group to cross. National Park maps at the time showed the crossing as an official railway crossing, but subsequently the maps were changed.
Albert organised a protest at the National Park entrance, making up signs reading “Make crossing SAFE” and others. He also contacted the local State MP, Catherine Hutchesson MP, Member for Waite, who is supporting the motion to make this crossing safe and not to close it. He also collected about 200 signatures from residents along Sheoak Road, walkers and anybody who listened on a petition “Make Belair NP Rail Crossing Safe”. Most signatories continue to use this crossing, despite the attempts to close it. It is a popular crossing, also used by the Department for Education for outdoor activities.
Read more about this crossing issue.
