Growth lets our state shift into gear, says CEO of RAA Nick Reade

Population growth creates more opportunities for our young people and a brighter future – but if that fails, so does SA’s revenue and ability to upgrade, writes Nick Reade.

Population growth isn’t a necessary evil – it’s just necessary.

The Premier hit the nail on the head earlier this week when he said population growth spurs economic growth.

It’s that growth that helps fund and build our roads, public transport network, hospitals and schools.

It’s that growth that will help address the critical skills and jobs shortage in key industries.

It’s that growth that creates more opportunities for our young people and a brighter future.

If our growth stalls, so does our state’s revenue and ability to upgrade and maintain our roads, public transport network and everything in between.

If that growth stalls, it means less jobs for our young people and a shortage of critical skills needed to build our state – from tradespeople to STEM expertise.

Traffic at the bottom of the South Eastern Freeway, one of the major arterial roads that needs improving. Picture: Emma Brasier

By growing the funding pie, there’s a bigger slice to invest in roads and other infrastructure.

With almost 800,000 members and connecting with 70 per cent of households through our motor, home, energy and travel services – RAA has unique insights into the needs and wants of South Australians, whether that’s on the road or in the home.

So, naturally, when it comes to an issue such as population growth, we asked our members.

What they told us, at its core, was it’s not population growth that’s the issue – it’s the need for infrastructure to keep pace.

We agree.

If we peel back the layers, very few people have an issue with an increasing birth rate or attracting people to move to SA.

Their concern arises if that growth compromises their way of life – whether that be through more congested roads, greater demand on services, and more competition for jobs.

And that shouldn’t be compromised – RAA wholeheartedly agrees.

In South Australia, RAA knows the issues facing commuters inside and out.

Unfortunately, our State has a road maintenance backlog that’s going to top $1 billion in the next few years.

The poor condition of some of our roads is jeopardising road safety, something we’re extremely passionate about and will continue to champion.

Our key regional corridors need duplicating, like the Augusta, Sturt and Dukes Highways.

Our metropolitan network needs work too – upgrades to key intersections and arterial roads like Marion Road, the South Eastern Freeway and Cross Road – just to name a few.

Our public transport system is one of the most under-utilised in any capital city in Australia.

We know there’s plenty of work to be done in our backyard. And we’re fighting for it at every turn for our members.

However, a thriving economy underpinned by population growth will actually grow our state’s revenue base and help deliver the funding to address these infrastructure priorities.

We also need a more sustainable infrastructure funding model – something the RAA has long been calling on governments to develop.

A model that provides a steady stream of funding to get on top of the road maintenance backlog and fix our current network – making it safer and more efficient for all road users.

A model that will also ensure there’s funding to upgrade our roads in the future and keep pace with the rate at which our city is growing.

Going forward, with the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs), there’s going to be a long-term decrease in fuel excise revenue.

At the moment, that’s what pays for the bulk of our road maintenance and upgrades.

That’s why a simple, fair and equitable road user charge must be a priority for the government at a federal level.

We need to tackle this reform before the fuel excise funding falls off a cliff and we’re left with less money to maintain even more roads.

While the current penetration of EVs in Australia is relatively low, it’s growing year on year.

It’s a problem that requires strong leadership from government and needs a solution sooner rather than later.

Regardless, at RAA, we remain focused on keeping our members moving, no matter what car they’re driving – petrol, diesel, a hybrid or electric.

We haven’t been around for 120 years by not being progressive.

As technology has evolved, so have we.

RAA chief executive Nick Reade. Picture: Morgan Sette

We were founded by a group of pioneers in the early 1900s, who helped a generation make the shift from horse and cart and steam engines to the internal combustion engine we know today.

Back then, we hung up the reins (literally) and sought to solve the next wave of mobility challenges.

Pioneering is in our DNA.

Since 1903 we’ve been servicing all manner of petrol and diesel vehicles – and we’ll continue to do so for as long as our members choose to drive them.

However, it would be borderline negligent to not keep one eye on the future needs of our members.

That’s why we’re building the state’s first border-to-border EV charging network.

We’re partnering with the state government to roll out 140 charging sites, from Bordertown in the south east to past Ceduna on the west coast.

No matter your choice of transport or where you choose to live in our great state, RAA will continue to play a leading role to pave the way for a growing and thriving South Australia.

- Nick Reade is RAA chief executive