Question Time

North-South Corridor

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:26): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development regarding the north-south corridor project.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: In 2020, Infrastructure magazine reported that the final section of the north-south corridor is expected to provide huge savings for commercial freight operators, with commercial freight operators to save approximately $8.80 per trip along the 10.5-kilometre stretch.

The final section of the north-south corridor will also provide efficient access to and from key freight areas, delivering South Australian products to market faster, products that include those produced by South Australia's agricultural, food, wine and forestry industries. My question to the minister is: does she support the Minister for Transport's decision to delay the north-south corridor project?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:27): I thank the honourable member for her question and indeed for her creativity in trying to find a link directly for me as Minister for Regional Development with decisions around the north-south corridor. I think it is certainly true that it is an important project. The Australian and South Australian governments have allocated I think a total of $9.9 billion to the project, if I am correct, and the department is currently undertaking a review of the project in line with the Labor government's election commitments.

I am advised that initial findings have identified significant issues with the achievability of the program and cash flows, which has necessitated reprofiling $1.1 billion beyond the forward estimates period, with $3.2 billion now to be spent over the next four years. The review is also examining alternative solutions to minimise the visual impact of a large, elevated structure at the Anzac Highway intersection and adjacent to the Brickworks Marketplace.

In terms of any other information that the honourable member may seek, I am happy to refer that to the minister responsible for the north-south corridor in the other place.