Train Services

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:58): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Will train services from Adelaide to Mawson Lakes resume on Monday 26 April of this year on the Gawler line as scheduled?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:58): I thank the member for his question and I note that the details of the closure of that line and when it will reopen are online on the department's website. This is a really intricate project and one I think that I mentioned earlier was signed with 5 per cent planning done when the former government signed this up. We have got on with that job and we have fixed the mess they have left. We have got this project moving. Those opposite talked about this project on and off for a long, long period of time and never actually delivered it, but we are getting on with delivering this project for the people of the northern suburbs.

There have been some problems along the way, of course, with COVID. COVID has had a very big impact, but no bigger impact than actually signing the contract with only 5 per cent of the planning done. We are assessing all of those things. Again, through COVID, I know there have been some issues, I'm led to believe, with acquiring the signalling equipment and/or the experts to put that in, so that could have an impact. We are assessing that at the moment and, if there are any changes to that timetable, we will let the people of South Australia know.