Labor to fund $500 million citywide tram network across Adelaide

LABOR has promised half a billion dollars for a citywide Adelaide tram network it says will create 2000 jobs, as Opposition Leader Bill Shorten moves to outdo Malcolm Turnbull on public transport.

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LABOR has promised half a billion dollars for a citywide Adelaide tram network it says will create 2000 jobs, as Opposition Leader Bill Shorten moves to outdo Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on public transport.

As revealed in The Advertiser today, Mr Shorten announced the pledge this morning, putting pressure on Mr Turnbull to match or better the offer to invest in the State Government’s AdeLINK project.

Infrastructure Australia has listed the AdeLINK network as a priority project, and the State Government has been working on a $4 million business case to determine the overall cost of trams to go from the city to The Parade, Henley Square, Mitcham, Port Adelaide, and around the city.

The proposed AdeLINK tram extension.

The final cost of the project is estimated to be around $3 billion.

The Labor investment will fund the initial stages. The State Government will also pitch in, and it is hoped the project will be able to attract private sector investment.

Mr Shorten told The Advertiser that the investment was “about creating jobs and investing in the skills of South Australians”.

“This investment will create 2000 jobs in SA and give the local economy a much-needed boost,” he said.

“Just as we did when we forced the Liberals to backflip and build the submarines in Adelaide,

Bill Shorten in Adelaide addresses the media on the tram announcement @theTiser pic.twitter.com/zmwOyuVjEk

— Tricia Watkinson (@TriciaWatkinson) May 17, 2016

Labor will always fight for decent jobs for South Australians.”

Premier Jay Weatherill said AdeLINK was a “key element” of the State Government’s larger transport plans.

“The AdeLINK tram network is a key element in the transformation of our public transport system which we know will deliver enormous economic benefits, continue to improve Adelaide’s vibrancy and will also create jobs,” he said.

“This is an exciting announcement which addresses two of our federal election priorities, to grow our public transport network and to support our sovereign steel industry.”

The pledge will up the election ante on public transport. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was in Adelaide last week to announce the Coalition would fund the extension of the Tonsley rail line to deliver a train from the city to Flinders Medical Centre.

Mr Turnbull’s support for public transport has been a shift from former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who preferred investment in roads.

A tram on North Tce. Labor has promised $500m for a citywide tram network across Adelaide.

Mr Turnbull said that rail extension and other developments could create almost 2000 jobs and drive more than $800 million in investment.

Labor denounced the announcement as the mere rerouting of other money.

Labor’s plan, if elected on July 2, is to spend the $500 million over four years, while maximising the use of Australian steel and electrifying the Gawler rail line.

The Advertiser revealed in April that federal infrastructure and transport spokesman Anthony Albanese was keen to support the project, but Mr Shorten will announce the specific investment today.

It could become a bipartisan promise. A Government source told The Advertiser recently that the network was also on its radar as a “nationally significant” project.

Mr Turnbull has unveiled a plan to leverage increased land values to build more infrastructure, such as light rail.

When he was in Adelaide earlier this year, he discussed light rail with Premier Jay Weatherill.

“I’ve been saying to the premiers, if you want to build light rail, fair enough, (it) can add a lot of value to your city,” he said.

“But look at it on the basis of how it will build amenity, improve livability, improve housing affordability, improve housing supply.”

An alliance of Adelaide’s leaders is pushing for a 1km tram extension from King William St along North Tce to East Tce to be the first project.

The group, which includes Lord Mayor Martin Haese and the Rundle Mall Management Authority’s chairman Eric Granger, argue it would boost economic growth and jobs, and would bring more people into the city centre.

“I think a tram is exactly what the doctor ordered,” Mr Haese said.

The business plan being prepared by the State Government will identify the precise routes and stops, as well as planning, design, and value capture benefits.

That business case will be assessed by Infrastructure Australia, and the funding will need IA’s approval to go ahead.

It is planned that the business case will be released before the election.