Department for Infrastructure and Transport, $1,167,341,000

Administered Items for the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, $7,946,000

Minister:

Hon. D.R. Cregan, Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Special Minister of State.

Departmental Advisers:

Mr J. Whelan, Chief Executive, Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

Ms E. Kokar, Executive Director, Transport Policy and Regulation, Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

Ms S. Clark, Director, Road Safety, Policy and Reform, Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

The CHAIR: It is now the time allocated for this committee to sit. I have not been notified of any changes to committee membership. The portfolio we are dealing with is Road Safety. The minister appearing is the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services. The payments we are examining are the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Administered Items for the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, South Australia Police, and Administered Items for South Australia Police. I declare the proposed payments open for examination.

I invite the minister to introduce his advisers and also to make a preliminary statement, if he wishes to, of no greater than 10 minutes. I will then invite the opposition spokesperson, who I believe is the member for Hartley, to make some comments or go straight to questions. Minister, the floor is yours.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: Thank you, Chair. I am joined today by Jon Whelan, Chief Executive of the Department for Infrastructure and Transport. To my right is Sarah Clark, Director, Road Safety, Policy and Reform. To my far left on the table is Emma Kokar, Executive Director, Transport, Policy and Regulation.

The South Australian government has continued its strong commitment to improving road safety outcomes over the 2023-24 financial year. This is a very high priority, and of course has been a priority for former governments as well. Until April of this year, ministerial oversight of this important work was under the Hon. Joe Szakacs, who is now Minister for Trade and Investment, Local Government, and Veterans Affairs. I thank Joe for his impressive work and dedication to road safety.

The 2023 calendar year was tragic in the road safety area, with 117 people losing their lives. This was the highest number of lives lost in a single calendar year since 2021 and followed the 2022 calendar year which recorded 71 lives lost, the fewest lives lost on our roads since records were taken.

Beyond the alarming number of lives lost in 2023, there were 124 serious injuries and road crashes across the state, again impacting broad sections of the community. All of this tells us that there is still a good deal of focus required and that road safety measures must be continuous, considered and in line with evidence of what works to deliver effective outcomes.

In view of that, the South Australian government has been working towards delivering the measures set up in South Australia's Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2025. The action plan reflects an evidence-based, safe system approach to protect our community, with a focus on actions that will progressively transform our road network and bring about cultural change in road user behaviour.

The plan is being delivered by multiple agencies, including the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, South Australia Police, SA Health, Department of Treasury and Finance, and SafeWork SA, in collaboration with key road safety stakeholders including the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, local government, the Department for Education, school leadership and, of course, emergency service organisations.

A key component of the action plan is accountability, and in recent weeks we have released the Road Safety Action Plan Annual Report 2023. This is the first of a series of annual reports that act as an important accountability mechanism, reporting on actions undertaken over a 12-month period and against the targets and safety performance indicators reflected in the action plan.

South Australia's Road Safety Action Plan sets out actions across 10 focus areas: schools and local places; public transport, cycling and walking; motorcyclists; Aboriginal road users; road user behaviour; road safety in the workplace; regional and remote areas; heavy vehicles; vehicle technology, of course, is also a focus; and research and data must continue to be a focus as well.

The May 2023 federal budget provided $84 million towards a new road safety program as a key new measure. The state government provided $84 million in the 2023 Mid-Year Budget Review, bringing the total budget to $168 million to be spent across 2023-24 and 2025-26. Of this, a total of $131 million will be spent to increase the star rating of regional roads from one or two stars to three stars. Works commenced on the Mallee Highway and Thiele Highway in April 2024, on the Mannum Road and RM Williams Way in May 2024, and Lincoln Highway in early June 2024.

A total of $37 million within the $168 million national road safety program has been committed across four programs of work: new pedestrian and cyclist crossings, pedestrian safety upgrades to existing intersections, school zone projects and safer strategic bikeways. Work on these projects will commence in the second half of 2024. We have also made a further commitment to the Aboriginal road safety and driving licensing program, On the Right Track, with the service expanded to multiple outback areas and the APY lands communities now having access to medium rigid driving lessons and testing. The program also continues to provide child restraints, safe installation and education on the use and installation of child restraints.

Distraction is one of the leading causes of lives lost and serious injuries on South Australian roads. Between 2018 and 2022, South Australia Police road crash data listed inattention as the contributing factor in 42 per cent of lives lost and 45 per cent of serious injury collisions. The introduction of mobile phone detection cameras in South Australia aims to detect and deter distracted drivers who illegally use a mobile phone while driving.

Following a successful trial of the technology in 2023, mobile phone detection cameras have been installed at five priority locations across Adelaide: the Southern Expressway at Darlington, South Road at Torrensville, the North-South Motorway at Regency Park, Port Road at Hindmarsh and Port Wakefield Road, Gepps Cross. Installation commenced in March 2024 and was completed in May 2024. South Australia Police commenced the testing phase in April 2024 and a three-month grace period commenced, as members are aware, on 19 June 2024. Registered vehicle owners and drivers detected using their mobile phones will, from now on, receive a warning letter; as members are aware, that grace period ends on 18 September, with enforcement beginning on 19 September 2024.

As part of the 2023-24 state budget, from 1 July 2023 the expiation fee for drivers detected illegally using a mobile phone while driving is $540 plus the $99 victims of crime levy and three demerit points to align with the expiation fee for a red light traffic offence. Any fine revenue received will be paid into the Community Road Safety Fund for expenditure on road safety measures to benefit the community.

Reaching directly into the community is a critical component of road safety. The department's THINK! Road Safety partnership program is a South Australian government initiative aimed at road safety being at the core of every club, business and organisation, to influence individuals and to achieve cultural change. That change is intended to be achieved through supporting community road safety initiatives, helping local organisations address road safety at a grassroots level, creating a range of organisations and sectors where road safety becomes a key part of the way they operate and leveraging partnerships organisations' influence and reach into the community.

THINK! Road Safety is aligned to national and state road safety strategies, with identified target audiences including regional and remote road users; vulnerable road users, including older road users; young drivers and riders; cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians; and Aboriginal road users. The program is structured with a hybrid approach to its partnership activities to ensure delivery of grassroots community funding through a new THINK! Road Safety grants program as well as key road safety partnerships aligned with the program's target audience segments.

Partnerships under the program are delivered in collaboration with our partner organisations and program stakeholders to represent a joint effort in South Australia in sharing important messages with target audiences and segments to encourage safe road behaviours. In 2023, these partnerships delivered 22 engagement opportunity events throughout the year through sporting clubs and grassroots partnerships to positively engage road users on emerging and recurring road safety issues.

Funding was also provided for road safety related educational programs to directly reach around 29,000 students in primary and high schools across South Australia, over a thousand football players in regional football clubs, almost 600 people from other local community groups and organisations, and players and staff at the major metropolitan sporting clubs that the programs partner with. Six road safety campaigns have also been conducted featuring respected AFL, basketball, soccer and motor racing ambassadors.

Mindful of the time, Mr Chair, among the many successes in road safety education over the past 12 months was the RAA Street Smart High event in September, which had a record 89 schools and 10,000 students participate over two days. Critically, the department has reached out to youth across the regions, which are traditionally over-represented in road trauma statistics. I am sure that today we are going to examine some of the budget impacts that are contemplated by the 2024-25 state budget, but I do note the state government's ongoing support for road safety with a further $80.1 million invested.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Thank you, minister, for that very comprehensive introduction. Budget Overview, Budget Paper 1, page 23, in terms of enhanced enforcement: can the minister confirm when the purchase and implementation of the additional road safety cameras will begin and occur?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: The advice that I have is that the budget contemplates the financial year 2024-25, noting the important involvement of South Australia Police in relation to this matter.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: On Budget Overview, Budget Paper 1, page 23, in relation to the 40 km/h zones, is the minister able to outline which locations will receive the new road safety cameras? Further to that, which arterial roads and/or school zones will have speeds reduced to 40 km/h? How will that be determined and how many schools; those sorts of details please?

The CHAIR: The question should relate to the budget. The actual question itself had no budgetary aspect to it that I could hear. Can I ask you to please phrase your questions in a way that have some resemblance to a financial question from now on?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I will take that on board Chair.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: I thank the shadow minister for the question; it is an important one. Priority locations will be identified based on an assessment that considers, for example, not necessarily exclusively, crash history, number of lanes, traffic volumes, expiation numbers, poor pedestrian-actuated crossings with existing road safety cameras and also, importantly, constructability.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 135 mentions various highlights and mentions the Black Spot program and the delivering of 17 blackspot locations. Is the minister able to provide a list of the locations that were addressed within the Black Spot program?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: The 2023-24 Australian government-funded Black Spot program was approved on 30 March 2023 by Senator the Hon. Carol Brown, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, and announced on 13 July 2023.

The Black Spot projects directly target improvements to the safety of roads with a proven crash history or higher risk locations. These projects are aimed at delivering infrastructure improvement measures, such as traffic signals, junction upgrades, safety barriers, shoulder sealing, lighting improvements and pedestrian and cycling safety improvements.

The 2023-24 Australian government allocation was $7.9 million to assist with the treatment of 17 locations. Assessments and priority rankings were undertaken by the department's staff and circulated to the South Australian black spot consul to give the panel for the Australian Government Black Spot Program, and projects are ranked based, I am advised, on the highest safety benefit, with a minimum benefit cost ratio for the program of two. The maximum contribution from the Australian Government Black Spot Program towards the project is limited to $2 million.

On 14 July 2023, the call for nominations for the 2024-25 Australian Government Black Spot Program opened and closed on 16 October 2023. Nominations received for the 2024-25 Australian Government Black Spot Program are currently being assessed, for the information of members, with an expected date of release by the Australian government in July 2024. For information as well, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport administers the Australian Government Black Spot Program for South Australia and nominations were sought from the department, councils, community groups, associations, road user groups, industries and the public in terms of specific locations.

For 2023-24, locations include: the Currie Street and Morphett Street intersection safety improvements—that is within the City of Adelaide; the Jones Road safety upgrade—that is the Adelaide Hills Council; the Jeffcott Street and Ward Street intersection safety improvements, within the City of Adelaide; the Morphett Street and South Terrace intersection safety improvements, within the City of Adelaide; the Main Road, Johnston Road and McMurtrie Road intersection upgrade, in the City of Onkaparinga; the Grand Junction Road and Nelson Road mast arm, City of Port Adelaide Enfield; the Cudmore Terrace and North Street roundabout upgrade—that is the City of Charles Sturt; the Dalkeith Road and Stebonheath Road intersection upgrade, City of Playford/Town of Gawler; the Marion Road and Alawoona Avenue traffic signal upgrade, City of Marion; the Grand Junction Road and Wandana Avenue traffic signal upgrade, City of Tea Tree Gully/City of Port Adelaide Enfield; and the Montague Road and Fairfax Avenue traffic signal upgrade, City of Salisbury.

I pause there for a moment to ask whether the shadow minister has any particular interest, otherwise I will continue reading the record.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Are there many more to go?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: I think together, shadow minister, we will be able to work through this.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Otherwise if you perhaps table them.

The CHAIR: You cannot table them.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: You cannot table as a minister, okay. On notice is fine.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: It is not too long to go. I think I might be able to wrap it within 45 seconds, so let me just read very quickly for the benefit of those present. The other locations include: as I mentioned, the Grand Junction Road and Wandana Avenue traffic signal upgrade; the Montague Road and Fairfax Avenue traffic signal upgrade; the Montacute Road, Athelstone, safety improvements; the Beovich Road, Wright Road and Uno Road safety improvements; the Wellington Road safety upgrade; the Tillers East Road, Glenelg River Road intersection safety improvements; the McKay Road intersection realignment; and the Angas Valley Road, Stoney Banks Road intersection upgrade. There concludes the list.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 135, Highlights 2023-24, expenditure: can the minister outline how many students took part in the bicycle education program delivered to primary school age children in 2023-24?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: I understand that certain of this information is drawn from the 2023 Road Safety Annual Report, released on 9 May, and with respect to the involvement of bicycle riders, particularly the delivery of the Way2Go Bike Ed program, a practical bike education lesson for primary school students in years 4 to 7, I am advised there were more than 4,000 students and 58 schools across South Australia that participated in that program.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 135, targets: what is the cost to implement South Australia's Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: Pardon me, shadow minister, 2023-24 or 2024-25?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: What is the cost to implement the action plan from the strategy?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: Just to be specific, 2024-25?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Whatever data you have.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: The advice I have is that the program and its outcomes are delivered by a range of agencies and departments and, accordingly, it is not necessarily specifically possible to break down that number out of this particular portfolio space.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Okay. Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 135: Program summary—income, is the minister able to outline what sale of goods and services contributed to the department receiving $331,000 more in revenue than budgeted for in 2023-24?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: As this matter relates to the specific sale of goods and services, I am going to turn to the chief executive momentarily.

Mr WHELAN: I would like to advise that this is in relation to services to the CDP regulator, for example, like the Centre for Automotive Safety Research grants, annual road risk rating, policy research and analytics activities, the Road User Safety Advisory Committee, and communication engagement programs.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: On the same line, is the minister able to provide an update as to progress made in the development of the 10-year South Australian Level Crossing Safety Strategy? How is that going?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: In South Australia, there are 555 public road level crossings, and more than 450 pedestrian level crossings. Between 2019 to 2023 there were 582 near-hit incidents reported in South Australia, and three collisions very tragically resulting in 11 lives lost, and six serious injuries. The strategy focus areas are: education and enforcement; assets, technology and innovation; data and analysis; and coordination and collaboration. Initiatives contained in the strategy will be delivered through a rolling three-year action plan to be, of course, updated. Implementation of the strategy will be overseen by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport and the South Australian Level Crossing Advisory Committee. The group will monitor the strategy's progress and adjust accordingly based on pre-determined performance indicators.

In February 2024, the National Level Crossing Safety Committee released the National Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2023-32, and a three-year work plan 2023-25. The strategy aligns with national focus areas and will enable actions identified in the national strategy to be supported at a state level. Consultation occurred throughout the advisory committee, which is internal and external membership via the department, South Australia Police, local government, National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and rail infrastructure managers. The strategy will be presented to the advisory committee acknowledging their participation in developing the strategy and to ratify the commitment to the strategy.

I also add for completeness that I am advised that on 6 March there was a National Level Crossing Safety Roundtable, which I am also informed was held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Supplementary to that: is the minister able to provide the names of the people who are on the State Level Crossing Strategy Advisory Committee, and how often do they meet and how are they paid?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: I am informed that there is no payment for the committee. In terms of its very specific make-up, I will take that question on notice and return to the house with a specific answer.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 4, page 180, statement of comprehensive income. Is the minister able to explain why there appears to be a bit of a delay in rolling out the new road safety cameras?

The CHAIR: Member for Hartley, which page are you quoting from?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I was looking at Budget Paper 4, Volume 4, page 180, statement of comprehensive income and was asking about the new road safety cameras and the delay in them being rolled out.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: For clarification in relation to the budget line item, I am happy to answer. The trial in the technology for mobile phone detection cameras was, of course, conducted in 2023, and as part of that procurement process the trial outcomes were, as the shadow minister is aware, evaluated. There was at that time, or thereafter I should say, a preferred supplier selected. The contract negotiation processes with the preferred supplier, importantly, were not concluded until January 2024.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 179, program net cost of services summary, program 3: road safety. Is the minister able to please outline why the estimated net cost of services in 2023-24 for road safety is estimated to be $5.44 million, $1 million more than budgeted for?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: Shadow minister, can we have that budget line again please? I am just consulting with South Australia Police.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Page 179. There are two questions: can the minister outline why the estimated net cost of services in 2023-24 for road safety is estimated to be $5.44 million, $1 million more than budgeted; and is the minister able to outline why the budget for the net cost of services in 2024-25 for road safety is $12.8 million more than estimated for 2023-24? So it is just pertaining to those numbers on page 179: program net cost of services summary, road safety.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: With respect to the time and with great respect to the shadow minister, there is some information we certainly do have available for the moment. It would take some time to read some of that into the record, but I am conscious of the time. What I will do is undertake to take that question on notice—the two portions of the question—and come back to the house with an answer, thereby hopefully allowing the shadow minister to ask a further question before time expires.

The CHAIR: The allotted time having expired, I declare the examination of Road Safety complete. I thank the minister and his advisers.