Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham

South Australia continues to benefit from the Liberal and Nationals Government’s record infrastructure investment, with funding for major new projects to be announced in this week’s 2021-22 Budget, securing Australia’s recovery

Key projects to be funded include:

• $2.6 billion allocation of funding for the North-South Corridor – Darlington to Anzac Highway;
• $161.6 million for the Truro Bypass;
• $148 million for the Augusta Highway Duplication Stage 2;
• An additional $64 million for the Strzelecki Track Upgrade – Sealing;
• An additional $60 million for the Gawler Rail Line Electrification;
• $48 million for the Heysen Tunnel Refit and Upgrade – Stage 2
• An additional $27.6 million for the Overpass at Port Wakefield and Township Duplication;
• $32 million for the Kangaroo Island Road Safety and Bushfire Resilience Package, and
• $22.5 million for the Marion Road and Sir Donald Bradman Drive Intersection Upgrade

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said these projects will make South Australian roads safer, improve public transport, reduce travel times and support thousands of jobs across the state.

“From continuing upgrades on the North South Corridor, to delivering the roads needed for the recovery of Kangaroo Island from devastating bushfires - these projects will support more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs across South Australia,” Prime Minister Morrison said.

“Our record funding commitment is creating jobs, boosting business investment, while securing Australia’s COVID recovery.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said nationwide, the Budget will further extend the Government’s already unprecedented rolling investment pipeline, supporting jobs across the country.

“This includes supporting more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs in SA over the life of the new projects announced through the Budget, boosting businesses and communities as part of the Government’s National Economic Recovery Plan,” the Prime Minister said.

“The substantial injection of funding delivered in this year’s Budget is a key plank of the Government’s plan to help Australia bounce back stronger than ever from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Federal Budget was supporting South Australians to continue building back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Government is driving the delivery of major infrastructure projects to continue South Australia’s comeback from the pandemic, building the economy and providing certainty for business over the long term.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and the Federal Government is playing our part by improving local roads and infrastructure across the State to get South Australians home sooner and safer.

“Investing more than $160 million for the Truro Bypass is just one example of our ongoing commitment to building the infrastructure South Australians need, want, expect and deserve.”

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the Budget is also delivering additional funding to progress delivery of priority projects.

“We are committing $60 million in additional funding for the Gawler Rail Line Electrification and $3.1 million in additional funding for Goodwood and Torrens Junctions,” Minister Fletcher said.

“The Government will continue to invest in the South Australian economy in the coming years, including through key congestion-busting projects such as the next North-South Corridor priority between Darlington and the Anzac Highway, as well as priority intersection upgrades.”

Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham said this funding injection would support projects in Adelaide as well as those across regional SA, including the APY Lands – Main Access Road Upgrade between the Stuart Highway and Pukatja, and the Port Wakefield overpass and township.

“This massive investment in major infrastructure will generate thousands of jobs, better connect our state and help South Australians get home sooner and safer,” Minister Birmingham said.

“Our Government is helping to deliver a steady pipeline of infrastructure projects across the state that will play a critical role in the ongoing economic recovery and jobs revival.

The Australian Government looks forward to working constructively with the South Australian Government to deliver this infrastructure, supporting jobs and businesses right across South Australia.

For more information on investments in South Australia visit http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au