The South Australian government has established its independent infrastructure advisory body, Infrastructure SA, which is to be chaired by former Business Council president Tony Shepherd.
An election commitment of Liberal Marshall government, 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.
“Infrastructure SA is an independent body that will combine the expertise of the private and public sectors to develop a 20-year state infrastructure strategy and 5-year infrastructure plans,” premier Steven Marshall said.
“Planning and building infrastructure according to the geography of marginal seats and the timelines of electoral cycles has ended – Infrastructure SA will ensure we have better planning to support long term economic growth, more jobs, and better, more affordable services.”
Marshall said that Tony Shepherd’s experience in the infrastructure space made him a natural choice to chair the new body. Shepherd was formerly chair of the WestConnex Delivery Authority and has worked on projects such as the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Melbourne City Link and East Link.
“We’re thrilled to have Tony take up the role of chair, as South Australia’s approach to infrastructure planning is overhauled to deliver better, more strategic outcomes and projects,” he said.