More delays for Gawler rail electrification project just the latest in years of problems

The Gawler rail line electrification – which dates back to 2008 – has again been pushed back, now to November. And passengers are not happy.

By November, rail commuters will be able to gaze up for the first time at the long-promised humming electricity wires of their Gawler rail line.

But it will be through clouds of diesel exhaust, with only two of the 12 new trains on the route actually electric.

This month’s announcement of COVID-19-led delays with the delivery of the infrastructure – caused by problems with manufacturing in Victoria – are just the latest derailment of the project, which began in 2008. The Gawler railway line runs 43.6km to Gawler Central station and services 25 stations.

It was first opened in 1857.

Gawler commuters should have had their electrified line about 10 years ago, when the previous Labor state government secured funding from the Commonwealth to start works.

In 2010, the line was closed for four months between North Adelaide and Mawson Interchange, and again for seven months in 2011 between Mawson Interchange and Gawler Central station.

Passengers are not happy with the latest disruption, which will mean rolling closures until November, and have taken to social media.

Likewise on other lines some at Adelaide Railway Station on Saturday were wondering why their services will be disrupted through the year.

It is because the electrification will require high-risk work at the Adelaide station, which will disrupt all the lines.

“I just hope the replacement buses are safe and reliable because I use it for work and it hasn’t been good the last time there was a closure,” said Seaford Line passenger Crystal Verrall of Morphett Vale.

Daphne Whitlum from Hallett Cove and Crystal Verrall from Morphett Vale at the Adelaide Railway station. Picture: The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette

Problems with the line date back to October 2013, with the cancellation of promised Federal Government funding.

Life was injected back into the concept in 2018 during the state election, with the incoming Liberal Government recognising the benefits of the decade-old Labor concept for crucial marginal seats in the northern suburbs.

An artist impression of Gawler Station with an electrified train from 2009.

Both major political parties are eager to blame the other for the latest problems, but the current State Government’s three years of broken promises compares with Labor’s 10.

Transport Minister Corey Wingard said passengers should be assured that despite the latest COVID-19 problems, the works would be completed – as planned – in November.

“Considering the tumultuous timeline of this project, dating back as far as 2008, it’s a testament to the Marshall Government that it’s still on track to be open by the end of 2021,’’ he said.

Former SA Premier Mike Rann with Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty in 2011 driving a freight train through the opening banner at the new rail freight terminal at Edinburgh Parks. Mr Rann first promised the electrification of the Gawler line in 2008.

But Opposition transport spokesman Tom Koutsantonis said Labor’s major stumbling block was the withdrawal of federal funding in 2013.

“Despite repeated requests and submissions … the Commonwealth refused to reinstate the funding until a couple months after the 2018 State Election,’’ he said.

“Given the latest delays, loss of services and failed timelines being met, Mr Wingard looks to blame anyone else but himself. Get on with it and stop blaming others.”