Public Works Committee: Ovingham Level Crossing Grade Separation

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (11:08): I move:

That the 109^th report of the committee for the Fifty-Fourth Parliament, entitled Ovingham Level Crossing Grade Separation Project, be noted.

The existing Ovingham level crossing poses safety risks and traffic delays. The proposed works involve the grade separation of the road and rail networks approximately 100 metres south-west of the junction of Torrens and Churchill roads, Ovingham. By removing the level crossing, the project aims to alleviate the pressure on the road network, improve safety, reduce travel times, improve freight efficiency and improve connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians.

The Australian and South Australian governments jointly committed, fifty-fifty, $231 million towards the Ovingham level crossing grade separation project. In 2019, DPTI, now DIT, engaged the Public Transport Projects Alliance to undertake a planning study report for the removal of the level crossing on Torrens Road.

This study demonstrated that the most viable option was a road overpass for Torrens Road only that matched an upgraded signalised junction at Torrens and Churchill roads. This option was found to have lower capital costs compared to a rail over road, rail under road and road under rail solution, whilst delivering on project objectives.

The department advised that the revised proposed project budget was $185 million. The road overpass on Torrens Road will be constructed over the Adelaide Metro passenger rail network Gawler rail line and the Australian Rail Track Corporation interstate freight rail line. The road overpass will match into the upgraded signalised junction of Torrens and Churchill roads, as earlier outlined. Existing pedestrian and cyclist facilities along and across the rail corridor will be improved, and the works are expected to enhance the public urban realm.

The proposed project scope for the Ovingham level crossing grade separation project includes grade separation of rail and road with the construction of the road overpass on Torrens Road over the rail corridor; railway signalling and overhead wiring modifications as required to support the new track alignment; upgrading the signalised junction of Torrens and Churchill roads; an additional city-bound through lane at the junction of Torrens and Churchill roads; a proposed service road off Torrens Road between Gilbert Street, Guthrie Street and the eastern side of the rail corridor; and a proposed service road between Drayton street, Hayman Street and west of the rail corridor.

To maintain access to the properties on the south-western side of Torrens Road, there will be a dedicated right-turn lane provided on Torrens Road into Chief Street and Napier Street, local connectivity amenity and opportunity for activation of the new open space under the elevated road for the benefit of the local residents and community and continuation of the Gawler Greenway and new pedestrian pathways, including modifications to the pedestrian crossing of the railway lines and utility service relocations.

The committee examined written and oral evidence in relation to this project and received assurances that the appropriate consultation had been undertaken. The committee is satisfied that the proposal has been subject to the appropriate agency consultation and meets the criteria for the examination of projects as described in the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991.

Based on evidence considered and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the scope of the public works that I have described this morning to the house.

The Hon. R. SANDERSON (Adelaide—Minister for Child Protection) (11:12): The electorate of Adelaide welcomes this investment in the upgrade of the overpass and the removal of the crossing. The Marshall Liberal government is building what matters, creating thousands of local jobs and better lives for South Australians through our record $16.7 billion investment in roads, hospitals, schools, housing and regional infrastructure.

The existing Ovingham level crossing poses safety risks and traffic delays, with an average of 21,300 vehicles in 2018 passing through the level crossing each day. At Torrens Road, Ovingham, the boom gates are down for an average of 22 per cent during the combined peak morning and afternoon periods.

In 2019, the Australian and South Australian governments announced a joint, fifty-fifty, $231 million funding commitment towards the removal of the Ovingham level crossing on Torrens Road, Ovingham. This was revised to $196 million fifty-fifty funding, as announced on 18 January 2021.

It is not just motorists who will benefit from the Ovingham level crossing removal project; residents from Prospect, Ovingham, Fitzroy and surrounds will have access to new community spaces, which include multipurpose sports courts, nature play, artwork and a public plaza. Efforts are also being made to improve access in and out of residential areas with new linking roads that will help connect shops, schools and services on both sides of Torrens Road. Major works are now officially underway on the Ovingham level crossing removal project.

The Australian and South Australian governments have committed to $196 million to this removal. The crossing is one of Adelaide's most frustrating bottlenecks, and we are fixing it. The project is expected to support around 265 full-time jobs per year during the construction. Bridge piling works have been completed in early August, and vegetation removals are also complete.

The project is being delivered under an alliance with a consortium of McConnell Dowell constructions and Mott MacDonald Australia Pty Ltd and Arup Pty Ltd selected as the alliance contractor, with the project alliance agreement executed on 28 January 2021.

Service relocations are continuing and piling preparation works for the eastern approach ramp are expected to be completed in late September, weather permitting. Construction of the bridge retaining walls will be carried out between September and November, again, weather permitting. As I mentioned, the project is expected to support approximately 265 full-time equivalent jobs per year averaged over the construction period. The project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023, again, weather permitting. This is another example of the Marshall Liberal government building what matters.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to the state of the house.

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens is able to do that in the context of the orders that have been made, as I understand the present state of the standing orders.

A quorum having been formed:

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (11:17): I emphasise the remarks that I have earlier made in relation to this project. It is important and necessary, but it is also right for me to acknowledge the minister's consistent, determined and effective advocacy as a local member. She has been absolutely outstanding as the member for Adelaide in this respect, closely engaged with her community, ensuring that DIT has been out doorknocking and that appropriate community forums have been held.

She is also very well informed about the detail of the options and appropriate options, and it is right for me to emphasise to the house, and particularly to emphasise in the context of different proposals that were considered, that the ultimate proposal involved the minimum or a lower property acquisition than alternatives. We all know the significant impact that property acquisition has not just on those people whose properties are acquired but on the character of a particular community. It is profoundly disruptive and of course very distressing for those directly affected, but it also changes streetscapes and the amenity of communities and the environment.

I recommend the report to the house and I congratulate the member for Adelaide on ensuring that this project could be seen through to completion.

Motion carried.