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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-09-10 Daily Xml
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SOUTH ROAD UPGRADES

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (16:52): My question is directed to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Minister, could you update the house about the progress during the winter break of the Torrens to Torrens South Road upgrade?

The SPEAKER: Minister for Transport. I am very interested in the minister's answer to this question.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (16:53): Yes, thank you, sir. The state government, Mr Speaker, is committed to delivering the Torrens Road to River Torrens South Road upgrade project, with early works already under way. Community engagement began in early July, and community reference groups are now established to focus on issues within the detailed design. Land acquisition is well under way, and notices of intention have been issued. Properties required for the project are being acquired.

I am pleased to inform the house that the benefits of the South Road upgrade project have already begun to flow to local businesses, including Lemar Constructions, for housing demolitions; Pooraka Fencing, Mr Speaker, for fencing vacant blocks within your electorate; J Marron Locksmiths, for property security and access control—we want to make sure, Mr Speaker, that we maintain the amenity of the neighbourhoods within your community; Drilling Solutions, for geotechnical drilling; AEROmetrex, for engineering surveys; Fenlow Tunnels, for supply of trench instrumentation; and Aspect Studios, for urban design and landscaping advice.

This is just the beginning. There will be many more opportunities for local South Australian companies as the project progresses towards construction. The ultimate benefit, of course, will be for South Road users (meaning freight operators, tradies and motorists) who will benefit from an upgraded road between the River Torrens and Torrens Road.

Analysis shows that there is a cost-benefit ratio of 2.4 for this project. That means, for every dollar invested, there is a benefit of $2.40 for South Australia. The government is a strong believer in delivering key infrastructure projects for the people of this state. Our track record shows we are delivering the north-south corridor in conjunction with the federal government, with the tram overpass and Gallipoli Underpass completed, and South Road Superway and the duplication of the Southern Expressway well under way.

However, we are concerned about how this important project could be affected by the incoming federal government. Today on radio, the member for Boothby admitted that the federal government would go ahead with the project regardless of the advice of the independent body, Infrastructure Australia. These comments are not only concerning to the government but to industry as well. Today, Mr Phil Sutherland, a declared Liberal supporter and the Chief Executive of Civil Contractors Federation said:

I mean the Coalition are talking in terms of, they'll upgrade the Darlington end of the South Road in its first term. Well candidly, the industry can't wait three years for that, they've got to get on with the job straightaway.

He went on to say:

...and the call now to the new Coalition government in Canberra is make sure you honour the infrastructure commitments...the former government has made.

It is clear there is wide-ranging concern about the canning of the Torrens to Torrens project. Not only does this project make sense in reducing congestion, it makes sense in stimulating and growing our economy. That is why we will not stand idly by and let any government and any member ignore the independent advice, which states that the cost-benefit ratio is 2.4 for the Torrens to Torrens project.

My department estimates that the cost-benefit ratio for Darlington would be about a cost ratio of one-to-one, and it only reaches that level with a public transport component, which the commonwealth say they will not invest in. I will not stand idly by and let any government (federal or state) or members ignore the advice of Phil Sutherland, your comrade in arms. He says contractors would need the work now. There is only one South Road project that is ready to roll, and that is the Torrens to Torrens project. Boots are on the ground and work is under way.

Mr Speaker, many people in your electorate, and across the state, know intuitively that this section of South Road is a priority. It would be disappointing if the views of the people and the independent body, Infrastructure Australia, are ignored for a project created to serve an ad hoc process and a lazy federal member of parliament worried about his re-election.

Members interjecting:

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: With the new transport and infrastructure minister—

The SPEAKER: Point of order from the member for Stuart, and far be it from me to stymie the member for Stuart's point of order, but the minister's time has expired.

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