Projects from the Flinders Ranges to West Beach and Victor Harbor get funding boost

A $50m stimulus package will fund public works in communities across the state to get the economy moving again – but they need to move swiftly. SEE WHAT’S BEEN FUNDED.

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Projects including an overhaul of Adelaide’s Whitmore Square, rejuvenation near the mouth of the River Torrens and beautification of the Victor Harbor foreshore have been selected to kickstart the economy.

Councils will now be encouraged to get on with the projects as soon as possible, with being “shovel-ready” a key criteria for funding.

A total of 37 projects have secured funding after the State Government announced it would double its $12.5 million-a-year grant scheme to $25 million.

Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll said it was now up to councils to get these projects off the ground as soon as possible.

“Having shovel-ready projects was a key part of our assessment criteria and these local projects can get under way quickly to support local jobs and businesses,” Mr Knoll said.

“We have a strong relationship with the local-government sector and will work with them to deliver better, greener, open spaces in our community.”

When combined with a dollar-for-dollar spend with councils, the grant is aimed at creating $50 million of new projects.

Some projects required less than 50 per cent State Government contribution, meaning the total value of successful projects is $65.5 million – providing $27.5 million more in economic stimulus than initially expected.

An artists impression of Adelaide City Council visions for Whitmore Square.

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Funding has been spread across 37 projects across 27 council areas. There are 24 projects in metropolitan Adelaide including:

REDEVELOPMENT of Kensington Gardens Reserve.

REHABILITATION and restoration of the River Torrens near West Beach.

EXTEND the leafy character of Whitmore Square in Adelaide from its centre to its edges.

HARD and soft landscaping to position China Town’s Moonta St as a comfortable green promenade and a premium precinct for evening activity.

There are also 13 projects in regional SA, including:

UPGRADED camping and day visitor facilities, including walking and cycling tracks at Lake Bonney.

CREATING a precinct to openly celebrate Victor Harbor’s rich railway heritage.

UPGRADING Stockwell Recreation Park in the Barossa Valley with walking and cycling tracks, fitness stations and a BMX track.

Premier Steven Marshall said the State Government would inject $1 billion of stimulus into the South Australian economy to support local jobs and businesses as they grappled with the effects of the global pandemic.

Only eight of the project submissions have a construction date set for the next three months.

Local Government Association president Sam Telfer said the funding partnerships would create jobs, support local businesses and help communities recover.

“We are ready to go,” he said.