Public Works Committee: Tram Grade Separation Projects, Marion Road—Anzac Highway to Cross Road

Mr BROWN (Florey) (11:28): I move:

That the 50^th report of the committee, entitled Tram Grade Separation Projects, Marion Road—Anzac Highway to Cross Road, be noted.

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) proposes to remove the tram level crossing on Marion Road and Cross Road through the construction of a tram overpass and upgrade on the Marion Road intersections with Cross Road and Anzac Highway to improve safety and reduce travel time for road users. This project forms part of the state and federal governments' commitment for upgrades on Marion Road, between Anzac Highway and Cross Road, and will address an Infrastructure Australia finding that has identified a problem with level crossings throughout Australia.

Marion Road serves as a strategic north-south arterial road, which functions as a public transport corridor, and a major traffic and freight route. Marion Road also provides local and cross-city access for business and personal vehicle trips. Between Anzac Highway and Cross Road, Marion Road intersects with the Glenelg tramline via a level crossing. It has been identified by the department that the level crossing and the proximity of the highly trafficked intersecting roads are having a significant impact on traffic flows and safety at this location. Removing the level crossing will improve safety and capacity for road and rail traffic and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, while supporting urban growth and urban realm opportunities within this location.

The project will grade separate Marion Road and Cross Road from the Glenelg tramline via a tram overpass, which will be a single, continuous bridge over both Marion and Cross roads, with additional improvements to the Anzac Highway and Cross Road intersections at Marion Road. The project aims to improve road and rail safety, reduce travel times, improve route reliability, public transport and active travel connectivity. It is also an opportunity to provide an enhanced urban realm via integrated, people-focused design through providing public spaces.

DIT has stated that similar urban realm inclusions have been created at other locations that have proved beneficial to the local community. The capital cost of the development is $400 million and will be jointly funded fifty-fifty by the state and federal governments. Construction is anticipated to commence in the middle of this year, with practical completion and operation in early 2026. Some of the elements of the tram overpass works will consist of:

an elevated tram stop adjacent to Marion Road with associated vertical access;

the upgrade and relocation of the existing push-button crossings on Marion Road and Cross Road to suit proposed works and meet current standards;

new dedicated left-turn lanes from Marion Road onto Cross Road, and Cross Road onto Marion Road;

two dedicated signalised left-turn lanes from Anzac Highway onto Marion Road;

two dedicated right-turn lanes from Marion Road onto Anzac Highway;

new and upgraded traffic signals, LED road lighting, line marking and drainage infrastructure;

a new public realm and enhanced shared access path; and

minor modifications of local roads to accommodate the scheme.

The project will be undertaken on land under the care, control and management of the Commissioner of Highways, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Rail Commissioner and the City of Marion. DIT has confirmed there will be acquisition of privately owned properties, some of which have already been acquired by agreement. Consultation with all affected property owners has commenced, and land acquisitions will be undertaken in compliance with the Land Acquisition Act.

DIT has prepared an ecologically sustainable development report that demonstrates how the project has incorporated sustainable development technology as well as providing a summary of the key sustainable aspects of the project. Active design strategies have been employed to minimise greenhouse gas emissions and resources over the life span of the project to ensure that climate change risks such as increased temperatures and flooding events have been considered.

Delivery of the project will require contractors to work under the environmental, heritage and sustainability requirements of the department. Any impacts to vegetation will be managed in accordance with relevant guidelines and the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act.

The department confirms that project management will follow relevant frameworks and guidelines in conjunction with contract management procedures. External specialist resources may be utilised if required, and risk management will form an integral part of the project management process to identify and assess risk, as well as ensure appropriate management or mitigation measures are included in the project delivery.

Extensive consultation is ongoing, and a community and stakeholder management plan has been prepared to provide an overview of the communication activities during construction so that relevant stakeholders, local residents, property owners and businesses continue to be engaged during the project works. DIT confirms that community consultation has occurred through surveys, letterbox drops and community sessions to seek feedback and will continue throughout the duration of the project.

After consultation with the Attorney-General's Department and Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, it was determined there are no registered or reported Aboriginal sites, objects or ancestral remains within the project area. An assessment of the risk of encountering previously unknown and unrecorded Aboriginal heritage sites has been undertaken and established there is a low risk. Discovery protocols will be utilised should an inadvertent discovery be made during construction. There are no state, local or contributory non-Aboriginal heritage-listed places expected to be directly impacted by this project.

The committee examined written and oral evidence in relation to the tram grade separation projects. Witnesses who appeared before the committee were Andrew Excell, Executive Director, Transport Strategy and Planning, Department for Infrastructure and Transport; and Neil Welsh, Delivery Manager, Infrastructure Delivery, Department for Infrastructure and Transport. I thank the witnesses for their time. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the member for Badcoe, who provided a statement to the committee supporting this project in her electorate.

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 work.

Motion carried.