Public Works Committee: Intersection Works and Compulsory Acquisition

Mr BROWN (Florey) (11:35): I move:

That the fifth report of the Public Works Committee, entitled An Inquiry into the Intersection Works and Compulsory Acquisition, be noted.

On 14 October 2021, the Public Works Committee resolved to inquire and report into the impact of five intersection upgrades on residents and business owners, focusing on the compulsory acquisition of property by the state government. The specific projects were:

the intersection of Cross and Fullarton roads;

the Glen Osmond Road-Fullarton Road intersection upgrade;

the Main North Road-Nottage Terrace junction upgrade;

the Mitcham Hills corridor-Old Belair Road upgrade; and

the Portrush Road-Magill Road intersection.

The inquiry received 38 written submissions from home owners, businesses, community groups, academics and the South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT). On 16 December 2021, 15 witnesses appeared at a public hearing in Old Parliament House. The committee heard evidence from those directly involved in the compulsory acquisition process, those affected by demolition of acquired properties and those impacted by intersection work projects.

Witnesses and submitters highlighted a range of issues specific to each of the projects. The removal of the Urrbrae Gatehouse was the key issue raised regarding the Cross Road-Fullarton Road intersection upgrade. Major issues for the Glen Osmond Road-Fullarton Road upgrade included the removal of right turns by the Arkaba Hotel, the redirection of traffic down side streets and the lack of bicycle infrastructure.

The Main North Road-Nottage Terrace junction upgrade received minimal responses from the public. The problems stemming from the proposed installation of a roundabout and slip lane at the intersection of Old Belair Road and James Road were the biggest design issues for this upgrade. The committee makes 13 recommendations to improve fairness, enhance transparency, provide more accurate compensation, boost communication, mitigate against financial loss and deliver a true process of community consultation.

The inquiry shone a light on the compulsory acquisition system, its implementation and its effects on the community. It highlighted a flawed process that disadvantaged home and business owners. The report found that home and business owners struggled to locate similar premises in the same neighbourhoods with compensation payments that did not always reflect market value. The committee heard compelling evidence from owners of neighbouring homes, whose properties decreased in value due to new positions on corners or main roads or who suffered from increased noise from the removal of sound buffers.

The inquiry unearthed further financial issues. Home and business owners could only access compensation after vacating the premises, leaving them exposed to financial outlays prior to moving. The committee also heard that DIT paid the stamp duty on a home owner's next property only if purchased in the ensuing 12 months. Factors such as property prices, competing purchasers and inability to locate an appropriate property to suit their needs could push a property owner beyond this time limit and cause them significant financial loss.

DIT's community engagement processes damaged the relationship between government and the public. Witnesses and submitters consistently criticised the Department for Infrastructure and Transport for failing to engage in a process of true consultation. The committee heard evidence of home and business owners providing feedback that went nowhere, requesting key project information, such as traffic data, to no avail and receiving no response to their questions. Residents and community felt disengaged from a process where decisions seemed to be made regardless of their input.

An important outcome was recognising that South Australian businesses were comparatively disadvantaged under the compulsory acquisition process due to their complex situations. This report provides an opportunity to help the business community by working with those affected by compulsory acquisitions and learning from their experiences.

Overall, the committee encountered residents and business owners doing their best to navigate a complex process under enormous stress. Adopting the committee's recommendations should improve fairness, enhance transparency, alleviate financial burdens and mend the relationship between the government and the community.

Giving communities and individuals a voice was an integral part of this inquiry. On behalf of the committee, I would like to extend my gratitude to the individuals, businesses, community groups and organisations who took the time to submit evidence to the inquiry. The committee commends them for their admirable resilience and strength of spirit. I thank the witnesses and the members of the public gallery who travelled to Parliament House to attend the hearing. I particularly highlight Dr Yengin from the University of Adelaide whose research contributed greatly to the report's findings. I also thank the members of the previous Public Works Committee in the Fifty-Fourth Parliament for their work on the inquiry.

Motion carried.