NOARLUNGA RAILWAY LINE

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:43): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The state government is a strong believer in delivering key infrastructure projects for the people of this state. As such, the Labor government has put public transport at the heart of our long-term planning for this state. We have a very clear vision of prosperity for public transport in all its forms. Since 2008, the South Australian government has embarked on a program investing more than $2 billion to develop and upgrade Adelaide's integrated public transport network.

We are transforming our public transport system into a vibrant, state-of-the-art system, providing faster, cleaner and more efficient services for commuters. Not only do these engineering projects create jobs, they create faster and more efficient transport. A key pillar of this public transport investment is our rail revitalisation program. This revolutionary project has seen the government:

create more than 3,600 jobs;

rebuild 866 kilometres of track across the network;

install 240,000 new concrete sleepers;

remove 220,000 timber sleepers;

install 70 kilometres of metres of wires and over 1,200 masts and portals;

construct a 620 metre rail underpass at the Goodwood Junction;

construct a 1.2 kilometre viaduct over the Onkaparinga River;

build new stations at Elizabeth, Munno Para, Seaford Meadows and the Seaford terminus;

start the construction of new stations at St Clair and Wayville; and

deliver Adelaide's first electric trains, which are now being tested.

The scale and scope of this investment are at a level never seen before in this state. As with any capital works program, no matter how well planned, there are unforeseen issues that can cause delay. On Wednesday 18 September, the chief executive of the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Rod Hook, formally presented a submission incorporating the latest program update he had just received from the signalling contractor. As a consequence, I made a statement later that day informing the public that we will not be in a position to resume diesel train services on the Noarlunga line until later in the year.

I can inform the house that all existing substitute bus arrangements will remain in place while the line remains closed and will be free of charge from 1 October until train services resume. I am advised that the contractors involved in installing the new signalling systems suitable for working in the electrified train environment from 2014 are not as far as advanced as they should be. As such, the government is not in a position to bring diesel trains back in September. However, I am advised that DPTI is on track to deliver new electric train services between Seaford and the city early in the new year.

I know this is frustrating for all Noarlunga passengers who have patiently endured the inconvenience of substitute bus services and have been looking forward to diesel services returning this month. I apologise for the delay. I must take every step within my power to ensure passenger services do not resume until DPTI can assure me that all safety requirements have been met. At all times, the safety of rail customers, staff and the public has been our highest priority.

The consequences of inaction or second-best practices on safety issues can be catastrophic, and I cannot stress enough how important safety is in the operation of a rail network. Signalling is the system most crucial to the safe running of a modern rail system, and there is absolutely no room for compromise. This is not something we can get right 99 per cent of the time: we must get it right every single time. I appreciate that the people of the south are being inconvenienced by this delay.

Major construction works will always, because of their magnitude and complexity, impact on local communities. In the south this rings true, as it is currently a hive of activity. We are duplicating the Southern Expressway, we have built the Seaford Bridge and we are electrifying the Seaford line. Because of this, Mr Speaker, I ask for continued patience and understanding while we complete these works. As works progress along the Noarlunga line and I am advised on any further updates as to when diesel services may resume, I will inform the house further.

Mr Venning interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I warn the member for Schubert for the first time.