South Australian premier Steven Marshall has announced plans to establish a state-sponsored infrastructure advisory body, Infrastructure SA.
Marshall, who was elected earlier this year, said on June 8 a pair of former Infrastructure Australia chairmen, Sir Rod Eddington and Mark Birrell, were advising the state government on the establishment of Infrastructure SA.
“Advice of the quality that Mark Birrell and Sir Rodney Eddington have to offer is invaluable and I personally appreciate their guidance,” Marshall said.
“The establishment of Infrastructure South Australia will dramatically change the way governments plan and deliver major infrastructure projects in our state. It is critical that we develop the best model and legislation to establish this essential advisory body.”
Birrell and Eddington will advise the government on the ideal form, structure and function of Infrastructure SA, and will assist the premier’s office on an initial statement of expectations for the body.
It will also review and advise the premier on the draft legislation to formally install the infrastructure body.
Marshall said the $1 billion spent by South Australia every year on infrastructure justified the establishment of an independent advisory body.
“Infrastructure SA will be an independent body that will develop a long-term State Infrastructure Strategy and ongoing infrastructure plans which prioritise major projects,” the premier concluded.
Eddington was chair of Infrastructure Australia from its launch in 2008, until 2014. Birrell took over from 2014 to 2017.