The first stage of the GlobeLink Master Plan has been signed off by the South Australian Government.
The GlobeLink Project, which aims to facilitate a new freight network, is expected to boost exports and create more local jobs.
The state government will issue a tender for the project management and consultation for Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the GlobeLink Master Plan.
South Australian Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Stephan Knoll, was confident the project would expand the export industry and create jobs.
“The issuing of these tender documents is a significant first step to delivering a generational upgrade to South Australia’s freight infrastructure.
“GlobeLink is about growing South Australia’s capacity to export our premium produce to the world.
“South Australia produces some of the best food and beverage in the world and we have a capacity to increase our primary production output, increase exports and bring more dollars into our economy,” Mr Knoll said.
“GlobeLink will make road and rail freight more efficient and give South Australian businesses better access to lucrative export markets.
“GlobeLink will divert road and rail freight around the back of the Adelaide Hills, getting heavy trucks off key metropolitan roads and freight trains out of built-up areas.
“Stage 1 of the Master Plan involves problem and opportunity identification and assessment, and Stage 2 will see option development, assessment and shortlisting.
Mr Knoll said planning for the project would be developed as part of a multi-stage planning study with a tender for the remaining stages to be issued following the completion of these works.
As part of the process an Industry Reference Group will be formed that will consist of peak freight, road and rail industry bodies, the primary production sector, local government and a number of other stakeholders.
“This group will ensure we have a thorough and robust consultation process and have a broad cross section of industry around the table,” Mr Knoll said.
