SA government breaks infrastructure promise

Transport lobby group the Committee for Adelaide Roads (CAR), has blasted the South Australian government's inaction on infrastructure, pointing to the fact the state still does not have a transport plan and the much promised State Infrastructure Plan, a key output of the 2003 Economic Summit, still has not eventuated.

Committee chairman Barrie Hosking said, “It's now been almost three years since the labor government came to office. We've had all kinds of statements reassuring us that it has got its priorities right and is doing everything it can to stimulate economic development. We also have a strategic plan which sets ambitious targets for the state's development, but all of this is in danger of becoming window dressing.

Lacks critical infrastructure

“The Economic Development Board report recognised that the state lacks critical infrastructure. We were promised this plan would be delivered last year but there is still nothing in sight. Worse still in the key area of transport, where we lag the rest of Australia, we are still the only state without a transport plan,” Hosking said.

“This government's performance in delivering on major transport projects so far is cause for concern. Its taken nearly four years to complete the Portrush Road project and the Port River Expressway is a major embarrassment. It will be a road to nowhere, with the expressway finished two and a half years before there is anything to connect to and take the traffic over the Port River.

Vested interests

Hosking added, “Government's everywhere face pressures from local residents and vested interests. But without a plan and a commitment to get on and make things happen, the situation in SA is becoming a nightmare. The most recent example of this is the new City West link where a very small group of protesters have caused the project to grind to a halt.”

Money will continue to be wasted through short term decisions. An example of this is the one-way Southern Expressway, which could have been built as a two-way road for a relatively modest additional cost, the duplication of which would now require major works.

“The Rann government's lack of direction and indecision is frustrating the private sector, road user groups and transport operators and sending the wrong signal to potential investors.

“The private sector has put forward detailed proposals, including funding solutions, to bring our road transport system back to where it should be, the cost of which is estimated at more than $2 billion, and we were told to wait for the infrastructure plan.

“There is money available from the Federal Government through Auslink, and there are people who are keen to invest in transport projects. But without a plan and a commitment from Rann and Foley to get serious about road infrastructure, we will continue to have difficulty getting money out of the Commonwealth.”