FASTER DELIVERY OF ROAD AND RAIL PROJECTS TO BOOST SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S ECONOMY
THE South Australian economy will be boosted by a $415 million infrastructure package to bust congestion and make regional roads safer.
The Morrison Government has been working with states and territories to bring forward critical road projects across Australia to drive jobs, strengthen the economy and get people home sooner and safer.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the South Australian package included the acceleration of more than $328 million in federal funding across six projects.
“By bringing forward these important road projects we will drive jobs, boost the economy and make roads safer, while reducing travel times so people can be with their families instead of being stuck in traffic,” the Prime Minister said.
“Delivering critical road projects sooner, as part of our $100 billion pipeline, is responsible and considered economic management, in stark contrast to Labor’s daily calls of panic and crisis in their attempt to blow the Budget.
“In South Australia we will provide additional funding for the Darlington Upgrade and Flinders Link Projects as part of Adelaide's North-South Corridor, while bringing forward funding for the Eyre Highway and Eyre Peninsula and Horrocks Highway corridors, Victor Harbor Road duplication and a major rural roads upgrade.”
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said South Australians would continue to reap the benefits of a constructive working relationship with the Morrison Government.
“Today’s announcement builds on our massive $11.9 billion pipeline of infrastructure works over the next four years as we continue to grow our economy and jobs,” Premier Marshall said.
“By working collaboratively with the Morrison Government we have been able to fast track a number of regional road projects to help build regional communities, improve road safety and help save lives on our country roads.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Liberal and Nationals Government is focused on job growth and strengthening the economy.
“The Government’s record $100 billion infrastructure pipeline is delivering projects people want and need, while providing job opportunities and economic growth for communities across Australia,” Mr McCormack said.
“These projects will enhance liveability and connectivity, improve travel times and importantly, enhance safety for all South Australians.”
Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the new package followed a significant funding boost for South Australian infrastructure at the most recent Budget.
“Since coming to Government we have committed more than $8.4 billion towards infrastructure in South Australia and this new package will now see nearly $2 billion delivered across the state over the next 4 years,” Minister Tudge said.
“Today’s announcement not only brings funding forward for projects that can be delivered sooner, there is $78 million in additional funding for existing projects to take them through to completion.
“It also demonstrates a strong capability between the Morrison and Marshall Governments to deliver the infrastructure South Australia needs, whether it’s major projects like the North South Corridor upgrades or smaller, targeted projects through our Urban Congestion Fund.”
Minister for Transport, Planning and Local Government Stephan Knoll said the Marshall Government announced a record $1.115 billion in the most recent State Budget for regional roads and infrastructure.
“South Australia’s regions were neglected for 16 long years under the former Labor administration,” Minister Knoll said.
“South Australia’s regions finally have a Liberal Government that is putting its money where its mouth is and investing record amounts in regional roads.
“Since coming to government, in conjunction with the Morrison Government, we are delivering key regional road projects including the Port Wakefield Bypass, Joy Baluch Bridge duplication, Victor Harbor Road duplication, fixing the Horrocks Highway and investing hundreds of millions of dollars on road safety treatments right across South Australia.”
Project funding brought forward:
• $100 million for the $143 million SA Rural Roads Safety Package
o Funding to flow immediately and over the next two financial years to enable the commencement of works after previously being allocated beyond 2021-22
o Australian Government contribution to the project is $114.4 million ($80 million brought forward)
o South Australian Government contribution to the project is $28.6 million ($20 million brought forward)
• $86.75 million for the $125 million Port Augusta to Perth corridor
o Funding to flow immediately and over the next two financial years to enable the commencement of works after previously being allocated beyond 2021-22
o Australian Government contribution to the project is $100 million ($69.4 million brought forward)
o South Australian Government contribution to the project is $25 million ($17.35 million brought forward)
• $75 million for the $92 million Victor Harbour Road Duplication
o Funding to flow immediately and over the next three financial years to enable the commencement of works after previously being allocated beyond 2022-23
o Australian Government contribution to the project is $73.6 million ($60 million brought forward)
o South Australian Government contribution to the project is $18.4 million ($15 million brought forward)
• $50 million for the $55 million Horrocks Highway corridor
o Funding to flow immediately and over the next three financial years to enable the commencement of works after previously being allocated beyond 2022-23
o Australian Government contribution to the project is $44 million ($40 million brought forward)
o South Australian Government contribution to the project is $11 million ($10 million brought forward)
Additional funding:
• $87.5 million for the Darlington Upgrade
o Funding to flow immediately and enable completion of the project on-time in mid-2020.
o Total cost of the project has increased from $667 million to $754.5 million.
o The additional Australian Government contribution to the project is $70 million (increase of total contribution from $533.6 million to $603.6 million).
o The additional South Australian Government contribution to the project is $17.5 million (increase of total contribution from $133.4 million to $150.9 million).
• $16 million for Flinders Link
o Funding to flow immediately and enable completion of the project on-time in late-2020.
o Total cost of the project has increased from $125 million to $141 million.
o Both the Australian and South Australian Government will provide an extra $8 million to the project (increasing each government’s total contribution from $62.5 million to $70.5 million).