Transport Infrastructure

Mr KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (15:12): My question is for the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Given the federal Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities confirmed in Senate estimates that just $10 million would be allocated for the Pym to Regency projects in 2019-20 and $20 million in 2021, does the minister stand by his promise that the project will be completed by 2020?

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning) (15:13): To clarify, like I had to clarify the last time I had a question of this nature asked, the commitment that I gave and the question that was asked of me was, 'When will this project commence?’ and commence construction, because what I would say is that the project has actually commenced, and that consultation in relation to the compulsory acquisitions for those adjoining landowners around the Regency to Pym projects has already begun.

However, the question I was asked was, 'When is this project going to kick off, in terms of construction phase?' At this stage, late 2019 is when the construction is slated to begin. Construction work will also continue into 2020. In terms of the final completion of this project, that is something that potentially could be longer than 2020, which is consistent with what I have been saying all along; and, in fact, it is an answer I gave two weeks ago if the member for West Torrens would like.

Construction is to start in 2019 and construction is to continue into 2020. When this project will be finally completed is still an open question, and as potentially those opposite may have remembered if somehow a piercing thought may have come through the collective amnesia that happened somewhere around March 2017, there are different ways to skin cats when it comes to delivering infrastructure projects.

As the design process is being finalised and as consultation is being undertaken with affected landowners, the construction profile of this project is still being worked out in its finest detail, but again what I can confirm is that in 2019 the construction phase of this project will begin, and it will continue on from there.