GAWLER RAIL LINE

Mr PICCOLO (Light) (14:54): My question is also to the Minister for Transport Services. Will the minister inform the house about the partial reopening of the Gawler line?

The Hon. C.C. FOX (Bright—Minister for Transport Services) (14:54): Thank you very much, member for Light; and I would like to also acknowledge the work of the member for Light, the member Taylor and the member for Little Para in making this as easy an experience as possible for their constituents.

The centrepiece of the state government's $2 billion investment into public transport over the next 10 years is the electrification of Adelaide's rail network. In preparation for the electrification of the rail network in 2013, track upgrades were required on the Gawler line. Stage 2 of those works began in 2011, during which the line was closed between the Mawson Interchange and Gawler.

I am pleased to announce today that passenger train services will now resume along the Gawler line between the Adelaide Railway Station and the Salisbury Interchange from this Sunday. The re-opening of the Gawler line will be done in two stages so that it minimises disruption to commuters.

I am really pleased that we are able to provide train services on the Gawler line from Adelaide to the Salisbury Interchange in the first instance, which I think will be welcome news for train commuters. Substitute bus services will continue to operate between Gawler Central station and the Salisbury Interchange until the full re-opening of the line. Major works are expected to be completed by the end of March.

Prior to the full re-opening, test trains will run intermittently between the two places, Salisbury Interchange and Gawler, before the upgraded line is commissioned. During the line closure we were also able to upgrade a number of stations and build new stations at Elizabeth and Munno Para. The new stations include an integrated bus interchange for easier and faster transfers between buses and trains.

I would really like to thank, once again, the people who commute on those lines, because it has not been an easy time. We know that there were significant inconveniences for customers and I would like to thank them. It is quite exciting to see that this is opening and I recommend the line to all of you.