SA Budget boosts infrastructure

The South Australian State Budget is providing a record $2.2 billion in funding to build modern, safe and accessible infrastructure.

The 2017-18 State Budget includes a major capital investment program focused on modernising and improving South Australia’s health, education and transport systems.

The $2.2 billion spend in 2017-18 is the highest on record, well exceeding the State Government’s annual commitment of $1.5 billion.

The total infrastructure investment of $9.5 billion over four years is expected to support 5700 jobs on average per year.

Treasurer, Tom Koutsantonis, said, “Modern infrastructure is essential for growth and creating and sustaining jobs. That’s why we are continuing to invest at record levels.

“We are spending more than ever on our suburban hospitals, helping to elevate our overall infrastructure investment to a record $2.2 billion in 2017-18.

“We are working hard to improve public transport, education, roads and public housing to create a dynamic, livable, vibrant and safe place to live, now and into the future.

“Our vision is taking shape. We redeveloped Adelaide Oval, which is generating hundreds of millions of dollars in extra economic benefits to the state, and in a few weeks we will open the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, delivering state-of-the-art health care.

“We are modernising our schools to give our children every opportunity to secure the jobs of tomorrow as our economy and traditional industries evolve.

“And we are improving our roads and public transport to make South Australia a safer and easier place to live and work.”

Mr Koutsantonis said the State Budget also includes a major capital works program that will build on what the State Government has already achieved, creating a more prosperous future.

“These projects are the building blocks for South Australia’s future but there are short term benefits too,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“It’s expected 5700 jobs on average per year will be supported over the next four years across construction, health, roads and more – a result all the more crucial as South Australia prepares for the closure of Holden later this year.

“This State Budget builds on our excellent infrastructure record, to create more opportunities, more jobs and a better South Australia for years to come.”

The 2017-18 State Budget’s $1.1 billion investment in health infrastructure and services includes a major revamp of suburban hospitals. Projects include:

$528 million for a new Adelaide Women’s Hospital, to be physically connected to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, to provide world-class care for women and newborns

$250.6 million to redevelop the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, including a new emergency department

$195 million for additional resources to ensure high quality health outcomes for South Australians

$52.5 million to expand the Lyell McEwin Hospital’s emergency department

$44 million towards the SAHMRI II on North Terrace, which will house Australia’s first proton-therapy research centre

$24 million of a total $64.4 million upgrade the Women’s and Children’s Hospital site

$9.2 million to create a new emergency extended care unit at Modbury Hospital

$3.5 million to increase the number of operating theatres at Flinders Medical Centre from 10 to 12

A further $1.5 billion will be spent on public transport, making the system safer and more convenient. Projects include:

$462.5 million to fund South Australia’s contribution to continue the Gawler electrification from Salisbury to Gawler, if the Commonwealth matches the funding

$15 million to build new, multi-level Park ’n’ Ride facilities at Tea Tree Plaza and Klemzig

$3.5 million to upgrade the Blackwood roundabout

$1.1 million towards the upgrade of Mt Gambier Airport to accommodate larger planes

South Australian roads will receive $1.9 billion over the forward estimates to continue major projects along the North South corridor and significant new initiatives, including:

$174 million to upgrade the Oaklands Crossing, by building a rail underpass beneath Diagonal Road. The Commonwealth has committed $95 million towards the project

$100 million from 2019-20 for Stage 1 of duplicating Main South Road from Seaford to Sellicks Beach, benefiting local residents and bringing more tourists to the region

$415 million towards the North-South corridor to construct the missing link between Pym Street and Regency Road

Alignment of the intersection of Springbank, Daws and Goodwood roads

A further $464 million will be invested in education infrastructure to help students to reach their full potential and prepare them for jobs of the future. Projects include:

Two new birth to Year 12 schools under a public-private partnership. Located in the Munno Para region in the north and Sellicks Beach/Aldinga region in the south, they will each accommodate up to 1500 students

The continuation of STEM works in public schools to build a new generation of science and technology labs to prepare children for the jobs of tomorrow, in sectors such as shipbuilding and defence

The roll-out of the first round of low-interest loans for non-Government schools

Constructing the new Adelaide Botanic High School

The 2017-18 State Budget also commits:

$31 million to redevelop the higher courts precinct including an additional two jury rooms for the Sir Samuel Way building

$31 million to upgrade and expand Her Majesty’s Theatre taking the total capital cost to more than $66 million

$20 million for local sporting clubs to install artificial playing surfaces

$9.3 million to improve jetties at Henley Beach, Port Noarlunga, Whyalla and Port Bonython

$4.5 million for the Stage 1 redevelopment of the Priceline Netball Stadium

$2.9 million to extend Gig City offering new precincts access to ultra-fast internet

In addition, significant capital investment in 2017–18 by a government business enterprise includes:

SA Water ($535.8 million) – comprising major projects such as the Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme (subject to Commonwealth Government funding) and the Kangaroo Creek Dam Safety project