Parliamentary Committees

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: RAIL REVITALISATION PROJECT—ELIZABETH TURNBACK FACILITY

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (11:04): I move:

That the 418^th report of the committee, Rail Revitalisation Project—Elizabeth Turnback Facility, be noted.

The Elizabeth turnback facility forms part of the overall rail revitalisation program and has been presented to the parliamentary Public Works Committee to enable construction to occur while the Gawler passenger railway line is closed for track upgrade works from Mawson Lakes to Gawler Central. The cost of the project is $12 million. The project is in addition to the $293.5 million for the upgrade of the Gawler line and reflects further work on future timetables and train frequency on the line. The scope of work to construct the new turnback facility includes the following elements:

track construction, including new dual-gauge concrete sleepers and replacing rail that has reached the end of its useful life;

remediation of rail which is to be retained;

improvements to track drainage and formation to ensure ongoing track integrity;

design and installation of railway signalling works associated with the turnback; and

installation of eight additional turnouts and two new buffer stops. The expected outcomes of this project are to provide for an increase in future train service from Adelaide to Elizabeth to cater for projected patronage increases in line with SASP target (3.6), public transport to 10 per cent of metropolitan weekday passenger vehicle kilometres by 2018 and reduce road congestion and improve road safety through increased public transport use.

Final testing and commissioning of the signalling at the Elizabeth turnback facility is due in mid-2013. Given this, and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public works.

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (11:07): I will be brief. This is part of the ongoing revitalisation project of the state government. I commend it for the investment in the electrification and rail revitalisation. If members look in Hansard, they will see that I have been banging on about this for a long, long time. I am delighted that we are seeing some real progress. I would like to see the line extended into some of the new subdivisions in the north. This is a positive move and a step forward in bringing South Australia into line with modern public transport.

Motion carried.