Public Works Committee: Augusta Highway Junction Upgrade

Mr BROWN (Florey) (11:58): I move:

That the 13^th report of the committee, entitled Augusta Highway Junction Upgrade (Horrocks Pass Road, Winninowie), be noted.

The Australian and South Australian governments have jointly committed funding of $190 million to upgrade infrastructure along the Princes Highway corridor in South Australia. This equates to $38 million for the South Australian government. This investment means we can continue to build new and better roads, intersection bridges, rail and social infrastructure that will benefit current and future generations.

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport works as part of the community, planning efficient transport and valuable social and economic infrastructure. By harnessing the diversity of our state's purpose and people, the department strives to achieve positive outcomes that will improve lifestyles on a daily basis.

The Princes Highway comes under the care, control and management of the Commissioner of Highways. The South Australian section of the Princes Highway runs for approximately 700 kilometres, from the South Australian-Victorian border east of Mount Gambier through to Port Augusta in the state's north. As part of this upgrade, the department has investigated numerous opportunities to improve the road network. Improvements could possibly have included pavement resurfacing, shoulder sealing, junction upgrades and overtaking lanes. The Augusta Highway junction with Horrocks Pass Road was identified as part of that investigation.

The project's scope includes things such as the construction of a north-bound overtaking lane to the south of the junction, improved entry and exit points to the rest area, a dedicated northbound acceleration lane, new pavement construction surfacing, earthworks and vegetation removal, and an upgrade to the existing drainage.

The committee considered evidence on this particular project and I am pleased to say that, based upon the evidence considered and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public works.

Motion carried.