Three years after the Malinauskas Labor Government delivered on its commitment to commence Saturday trading at Service SA, a popular centre once on the Liberals' chopping block is relocating, providing more amenity for locals and greater foot traffic for nearby businesses.
Today marks the final day of trading for Service SA's Modbury centre at its current location before it opens afresh on Monday just a few hundred metres down the road, but importantly within the prominent Modbury Triangle shopping centre.
Traders within the Triangle – which has not housed a supermarket since July 2023 – are welcoming their new neighbour and the expected surge in foot traffic with open arms.
Last year, nearly 90,000 customers were served at the Modbury Service SA Centre – one of the most utilised in the state.
Given the centre's continued popularity, it's extraordinary that only a few years ago it was slated for closure as part of a series of attempted cuts by the former Liberal government.
Service SA Modbury was eventually saved following a concerted community campaign spearheaded by local Labor members of parliament, and then one of five key sites chosen for the Saturday trading expansion following the Malinauskas Government's election.
Service SA's Saturday trading is only growing in popularity and has now reached a major milestone.
More than 150,000 South Australians have chosen to visit a Service SA centre on a Saturday in the past three years.
Modbury alone welcomed more than 20,000 Saturday visitors last year – a year-on-year increase of five per cent.
Saturday trading has been crucial for people balancing work, caring responsibilities, and other commitments through the week.
The most popular transactions completed on a Saturday at Modbury are licence and registration renewals, certificate of fitness and enrolling in learner driver program myLs.
In addition to Modbury, Elizabeth, Marion, Prospect and Seaford Meadows centres are open on Saturdays.
As put by Joe Szakacs
Three years on from delivering our promise to open Service SA centres on Saturdays – the message from customers is clear: flexibility matters.
Modbury has been a standout example of demand for services offered outside the traditional Monday to Friday model.
By investing in a modern site with improved access and a stronger focus on digital self-service, we're ensuring Modbury customers have a choice.
Initiatives like Saturday trading show what good government service delivery looks like – inclusive, practical and designed around real lives.
As put by Olivia Savvas MP, Member for Newland
Service SA in Modbury is an essential service for our local community, and this relocation will make a real difference to people in Newland and businesses in the Modbury Triangle.
Being closer to the shops, parking and public transport will make visits easier, especially for families, older residents and people with accessibility needs.
I'm proud to see Modbury continue to play such an important role in setting the standard for accessible and inclusive government services.
As put by Rhiannon Pearce MP, Member for King
The reason Labor fought so hard to keep this important service in Modbury is because we know how much our community relied on the services they provide.
The relocation to the Modbury Triangle will also provide a boost for the traders in that shopping precinct which is a good outcome for local businesses.
