Road Upgrades

Mr DULUK (Waite) (14:44): My question is also to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Can the minister provide an update to the house on the Cross Road-Fullarton Road project and also what measures the government is undertaking to save the historic gatehouse from demolition?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:44): This is part of our Urban Congestion Fund to make a lot of our intersections far more smoother for the people of South Australia. That is one of those projects, of course. Portrush, Magill is another. Springbank, Goodwood, Daws Road—in fact, I was there for the member for Elder this morning, speaking with local people as they went through that intersection. They were very excited to see what is happening there. Major works are about to start on that.

The early works program around that is quite substantial. Along with that one, we've got a number of these projects that are rolling out: Grand Junction, Hampstead Road, Main North Road, McIntyre and Kings. These projects are incredibly important, and we want to make sure that we get them right, so the planning work is being done. Any historic building and/or significant trees, and all those sorts of things, are taken into consideration with a lot of these projects. I know the ones that we have been working through, the community consultation has been quite extensive.

We will continue to work through that with the local communities as the final planning designs are being completed. So we are working that through with the people in that community. I think it covers a couple of communities there. We do know that's an important intersection. Very sadly, there were two deaths at that intersection last year, which were very heartbreaking for the families involved. We want to again make sure that we are investing in that infrastructure and more productivity to the South Australian economy but also making our roads safer.

We know that safety is of paramount importance. We know that the lives lost on our roads last year were far too high, be it in the city or in the regions, and that's why we are investing that $12.9 billion in building the infrastructure that matters to South Australians. We are very focused on that. That project is one on a list of projects, where we are finalising the planning works. We will be rolling those projects out very, very soon.

I think I mentioned yesterday, as well, over the next six months we've got $1 billion of projects starting here in South Australia. At intersections around South Australia, in the city and also in the regions, you will be seeing a lot of roadworks signs. Understand that when you see those, there might be a slight delay or a little bit of frustration. We ask you to bear with us on that because we are building the infrastructure that you need. We know the previous government left a $¾ billion road maintenance backlog. We are having to fix that up.

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: We are having to fix that project up as well—

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Mawson!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —and we will—

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Mawson will cease interjecting.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —deliver. As I pointed out, $12.9 billion is a big number, and I know those on the other side haven't seen a number like that before, but we are getting those projects going and getting them moving. As I said, when it comes to infrastructure, we are building what matters, and that's what's important to South Australia. As those jobs roll out—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: The point I was making is that as those projects roll out the jobs will roll out with them. So as you do go through a little bit of roadworks, just understand that's us building what matters for South Australians, generating jobs—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: We look forward to rolling out all of those projects and delivering for South Australia.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Before I call the member for Chaffey, I call to order the member for Mawson and I warn the member for Mawson. I call to order the member for Wright.