Freight Rail, Passenger Rail

Infrastructure SA legislation hits parliament

Legislation to set up an independent infrastructure advisory in South Australia has been introduced into the state’s parliament.

New SA premier Steven Marshall announced plans for Infrastructure SA earlier this month, and on June 19 said legislation would be put to parliament.

“Infrastructure SA will deliver a properly researched, methodically implemented infrastructure plan that will generate more investment, more jobs and greater prosperity for South Australia,” Marshall said.

The premier said the state spends over $1 billion a year on infrastructure needed to get its product to market, and said that investment needs to be based on economic imperatives.

Infrastructure SA will be tasked with developing a 20-year State Infrastructure Strategy, a document which will be renewed every five years. The body is also expected to develop annual Capital Intentions Statements that will prioritise potential major projects for government decisions over a five-year time horizon.

Responsibilities also include maintaining oversight of delivery and performance for all projects with a capital value of $50 million and over, and providing policy advice, relating to infrastructure planning, delivery and use, including advice on appropriate funding and financing models.

“This legislation will end the previous Labor Government’s practice of deciding infrastructure investment based around political considerations,” he said.

“One of reasons the South Australian economy crawled along during 16 years of Labor Government is the previous government’s poor decisions on infrastructure planning and investment.

“The introduction of the Infrastructure SA Bill 2018 Bill delivers on yet another election commitment.”

1 Comment

  1. Hi
    Instead of Treating Rail Freight as an Afterthought, Might B nice to give Rail Freight the Respect its
    Entitled to! More S G and Giving Companies/Businesses Incentives to Ship by Rail, Might B Fair to Open
    Up the State to More “Resource Dvlpmnt” and Tie It into the National Freight Network to get to Ports and
    Business the Export Markets that are Available, Won’t Happen if the Gvmnt Doesn’t Make the Opportunities
    Available, Oh Yes it Creates JOBS and Pumps Money/Investments into the Economy State Wide.Have to
    Wonder Why No One Ever Gives It Considerations. Opportunity is there Act On It and Compete With Other Resource States, and Reap the Economic Opportunities!