Riverbank Precinct

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton) (15:03): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Can the minister inform the house about the completion of the Riverbank footbridge and the benefits it has brought to the Riverbank Precinct?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning, Minister Assisting the Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (15:04): Can I thank the member for Colton for his question about a project of which we are all very proud. Last Saturday, the government held a community event to mark the completion of the Riverbank footbridge. It was a great occasion that was enjoyed by many people, particularly families, especially given it was scheduled an hour or so before the Adelaide Crows and North Melbourne football game at Adelaide Oval.

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell: And won the game.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Indeed, so I hear. The event celebrated the commissioning of the footbridge's stunning LED lighting scheme and its water feature. The feedback from those who attended the event, and from those who attended the Crows-Kangaroos game on Saturday night and saw the finished bridge and these displays, was very positive.

The event was attended by Kaurna elder Auntie Josie, who provided a welcome to country before the event. The Riverbank footbridge is located in an area with great cultural significance to Aboriginal people. The house may be interested to know that the water feature is representative of natural tributaries to the river and includes vegetation and urban design elements reflecting cultural heritage. I am advised that the three upright sandstones and stainless steel flow line symbolise three generations, the flow of time and the connection between the Adelaide Hills and the river.

We know that the Riverbank footbridge has been a success. The project was delivered within the $40 million budget and, according to its designers, it is believed to be the only bridge clad in glass in Australia and possibly the world. The curved design and the integrated water features at the south ends of the bridge are a credit to the design team, led by Aurecon. I should also thank the contractor McConnell Dowell for their delivery of the project. The footbridge was open and available for use during the Ashes Test late last year and for the commencement of the AFL season this year.

The project supported many jobs during construction and had an average of 60 people working on site at any one time, with a peak of 110 workers, and 86 per cent of the work went to local contractors. The footbridge has contributed significantly to energising the Riverbank Precinct, providing easy access to the Adelaide train station, tram stops on North Terrace and to the burgeoning laneways and everything else that lies beyond in the City of Adelaide.

I have spoken previously to the house about the use of public transport by football fans travelling to and from the Adelaide Oval, and we have seen South Australians take up this method of transport in droves. We are seeing over 50 per cent of footy-goers use our public transport services, which is a significant increase on the take-up that existed at AAMI Stadium.

This government invested in the Riverbank footbridge because we knew how important it was both to the Adelaide Oval redevelopment and also to the future of the Riverbank Precinct. Tens of thousands of people use the bridge each week, and it is fast becoming a warmly embraced piece of infrastructure.

Also, nearly three weeks ago I attended the Velo-city conference for the welcoming and closing sessions. Amongst the delegates was Mr Manfred Neun, President of the European Cyclists Federation. He called the Riverbank footbridge one of the most exciting pieces of infrastructure that facilitates urban mobility that he has seen globally. To shift the thinking of a cycling conference to the merits of infrastructure encouraging people to move around a city by foot is no mean feat.

I would also like to thank all those who were involved in the project, particularly in the management and construction of the bridge. This includes the staff of the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, as well as the contractors, subcontractors and other workers. I know many South Australians are appreciative of their work.