Questions remain on the future completion of the Gawler electrification project

The completion date for the long-delayed Gawler rail electrification project remains in question as commuters demand answers and the Opposition takes aim.

Pressure is mounting to set a final completion date for the Gawler rail electrification project as the State Government continues to blame Covid-19 disruptions for ongoing delays.

While the state opposition has attacked the government for refusing to commit to a date when services will resume, commuters like Gawler resident Sharon Cormack also say a deadline is needed.

“We need certainty, it takes a lot longer on the bus, you’re driving around all over the place, even if we had a worst-case scenario date,” Ms Cormack said.

Sharon Cormack, a Gawler resident who is excited for the return of train services. Picture: Jason Katsaras

The electrification and modernisation of the line, which ordinarily serves the most rail commuters daily in Adelaide, has been on the cards since 2008.

A decade ago, the previous Labor state government secured funding from the Commonwealth to start works. 

Many delays between two state governments have followed.

Under the current government the line was scheduled for completion in late 2020, then delayed to January 2021 and recently Transport Minister Corey Wingard revealed it would not reopen until “early next year”.

The Gawler Heritage Cafe which sits inside the Gawler Railway station has been acutely affected by the drawn out rail closures.

Cafe worker Tom Hancock said while he understood there were delays earlier in the year due to steel shortages, the project was taking too long.

“This has been going on for years, there should have been a date announced long ago,” Mr Hancock said.

“Interstate rail projects seem to be done in months but not here, I think this Covid-19 business is being used as an excuse for lots of things.”

Labor MP for Light Tony Piccolo at the Gawler station. Picture: Supplied

Light MP Tony Piccolo said he understood trains wouldresume for service in April or early May in 2022, 18 months later than originally scheduled.

“The Minister cannot blame the one-week Covid-19 lockdown for these ongoing delays, given staff imported from Victoria were granted health exemptions to enter South Australia without the need to quarantine,” Mr Piccolo said.

Minister Wingard said the government had been transparent about the impacts and delays caused by the pandemic.

“We’ve stated publicly the line will reopen early in the new year and we’re working very hard to make that happen,” Mr Wingard said.

“Labor has pulled a date out of their backsides.

“With all the continued uncertainty around Covid and potential future outbreaks, my priority is getting the project finished as soon as possible in a safe manner and I have no intention of working towards a Labor timeline.”