South Road Upgrades

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:49): My question is directed to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, and I think it might be a question, Mr Speaker, that you would be interested in as well.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. S.W. KEY: No, not Barton Terrace! Can the minister update the house about the latest development of the Torrens to Torrens upgrade project?

Mr Pederick interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Did the member for Hammond say that Torrens to Torrens was a freeway to the Krispy Kreme outlet?

Mr PEDERICK: What I did say, Mr Speaker, is that I thought the transport minister might be building a freeway to the Krispy Kreme outlet in your electorate.

The SPEAKER: Well, it could be a case for widening Port Road, given the patronage of that establishment at West Croydon. I hope the widening does not take my office. The minister for transport.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Member of the Executive Council, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning, Minister Assisting the Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:50): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am not quite sure what answer I can provide that will satisfy the conflicting interests in the house. I thank the member for Ashford for her interest in this topic. Today, in conjunction with the commonwealth assistant minister for infrastructure, the Hon. Jamie Briggs MP, I announced the awarding of a $6.8 million contract for the important early works as part of the north-south corridor Torrens to Torrens project. These early works are the first of road upgrade works on the Torrens to Torrens project and, commencing in August, will upgrade the existing South Road/Ashwin Parade intersection at the southernmost extent of the project.

These works will improve the safety and efficiency of this intersection. It will also enable this intersection to cope with increased traffic movements anticipated as a result of the Torrens to Torrens project and reduce delays. Specifically, it will include the widening of South Road at the intersection of Ashwin Parade and West Thebarton Road, and provide additional through and turning lanes on South Road and Ashwin Parade.

It should also be pointed out to the house that these construction works will also incorporate the construction of a roundabout further west along Ashwin Parade at the entrance to the new Woolworths development at the Brickworks. Woolworths is quite rightly contributing $2.6 million to the total project costs in recognition of the improvements to entry and exit points motorists will experience in entering their premises.

It is expected that in total these road upgrade works will support 39 jobs, supporting local employment in the state. These are just a few of the 480 jobs that will be supported by the Torrens to Torrens project in total, and the 850 jobs supported in the $1.5 billion committed by both commonwealth and state governments in the Darlington and Torrens to Torrens combined works.

This government takes the role of local industry and employment participation very seriously in these infrastructure projects. South Australia’s Industry Participation Advocate, Mr Ian Nightingale, will be working with local companies looking to tender on the north-south corridor projects to promote local industry participation and boost employment opportunities for locals.

As part of this investment in the north-south corridor, one of the largest road infrastructure projects undertaken in South Australia, the government will set a target of 20 per cent of labour hours for apprentices, trainees, Aboriginal people, local people with barriers to employment, and displaced automotive employees.

Both of the upgrades on our north-south corridor are expected to provide a significant long-term economic boost for the state. The Torrens to Torrens project alone has a benefit-cost ratio of 2.4:1, indicating substantial returns to the economy from the project.

At a more local level I can advise nearby residents as well as commuters affected by the Ashwin Parade project works that, while some works during the day will be required, I am advised that the majority of work will occur at night in an effort to minimise disruption to the local community and to minimise traffic delays. It is expected that these works will be completed by April 2015, weather permitting. I look forward to continuing to update the house on both the Torrens to Torrens and Darlington projects as they develop.