Public Works Committee: Truro Bypass

Mr BROWN (Florey) (11:57): I move:

That the 19^th report of the committee, on the Truro Bypass Project, be noted.

The Public Works submission from the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) proposed to construct a bypass for the Sturt Highway at Truro. The Sturt Highway is a national highway traversing South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. It is the shortest and highest standard route between Sydney and Adelaide, providing an important link for the transport of passengers and freight between the two cities and adjacent regions.

Demand for the Sturt Highway to cater for larger freight vehicles is increasing. Currently an average of 4,500 vehicles per day travel on the highway through the township of Truro, with 30 per cent being road trains and other heavy commercial vehicles. Truro is located approximately 80 kilometres north-east of Adelaide and is the last remaining town between Adelaide and Renmark that has heavy transport and freight travelling through its main street. This congestion harms freight efficiency, increases crash rates, decreases travel speed, reduces amenity and constrains Truro's economic growth. To remedy these issues these public works will divert heavy traffic along the Sturt Highway out of Truro's main street.

The proposed scope of work includes: a single lane in each direction, separated by a centre median; the provision of three new overtaking lanes; and the construction of new connections to the new Sturt Highway at several locations. In addition, new drainage structures will be provided, impacted utility services will be relocated and infrastructure enabling stock and machinery movements will be constructed.

Key outcomes of the project will be the improved safety of all road users through Truro and the Truro Hills, the increased efficiency of long-distance freight, and the improved liveability of Truro and its surrounds. The Australian and South Australian governments have jointly committed $202 million, split 80/20, towards the design and construction of the bypass. This equates to a state government contribution of $40.4 million. Funding was committed as part of the 2021-22 state and federal budgets.

Preliminary design has determined that 20 privately owned properties—four properties owned by the Commissioner of Highways, one property owned by the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water and two properties owned by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport—need to be partially acquired. There are no residential buildings directly impacted by the proposed acquisition areas. Consultation with affected property owners and property stakeholders has commenced, and land acquisition will be undertaken in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act.

The project will require clearance of a combination of native vegetation, amenity vegetation and weeds. Assessments have determined that the project will likely be considered to have a significant impact on Matters of National Environment Significance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. It is considered likely that an assessment and approval will be required. Further assessment of the critically endangered threatened ecological communities will be undertaken in parallel to the referral to confirm their condition.

The clearance of native vegetation, protected under the Native Vegetation Act, has been assessed as level 4 impact level, and approval for this will need to be sought from the Native Vegetation Assessment Panel. I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.