Adelaide Airport tram link branded a must-do project by Civil Contractors Federation
A PROPOSED $500 million light-rail line linking Adelaide Airport to the city has been branded a “must-do” project to kickstart tourism and construction, while awakening the state from a “sleepy-hollow mindset”.
A proposed $500 million light-rail line linking Adelaide Airport to the city has been branded a “must-do” project to kickstart tourism and construction, while awakening the state from a “sleepy-hollow mindset”.
The Civil Contractors Federation, which has 600 members employing 20,000 South Australians, is mounting a renewed push to win support for the privately funded project, proposed last December by one of Australia’s largest companies.
The builder of Adelaide’s East End tram extension, the Downer group, lodged an unsolicited bid with the former Labor government to build, fund and operate the route, arguing a dedicated airport light-rail service would boost tourism by better connecting travellers to the city, and enhance suburban public transport.
But Labor did not proceed with the proposal, despite Adelaide Airport declaring it was “supportive of an affordable light-rail service between the airport and Adelaide’s CBD”.
It is understood Downer remains keen to discuss the proposal with the Liberal Government, although Treasurer Rob Lucas has scotched the prospect of any funding support in next month’s State Budget.
Civil Contractors Federation SA chief executive officer Phil Sutherland said the Government needed to fire up private sector interest, regardless of the construction giant’s continued backing.
“This should particularly be among Australia’s major super funds, which understand the value of backing long-term (30 years), commercially viable infrastructure operations and investments in projects such as light rail, toll-based highways and airport ownership,” he said.
Mr Sutherland described as encouraging Transport Minister Stephan Knoll’s comments last month, when he vowed nothing was off the table as work began on bringing SA’s public transport service into the 21st century.
Mr Sutherland said the proposed 6km line airport line, connecting North Tce, West Tce, Henley Beach Rd and Airport Rd, would be noteworthy for battery-powered trams that did not need poles and wires.
“Any private sector proposal for the construction, funding and operating of such a logical piece of transport infrastructure, should be prioritised for consideration,” he said.
“With the completion of the new hotel at the airport and plans for the major expansion of the airport precinct, the time is now right for a modern battery-powered tram link to the city.
“These battery-powered trams are available now, and recharge while at stations and through excess energy on their grid — negating any need for the poles and wires of our existing tram network.”
Mr Lucas said the airport light rail link was not a Liberal promise and would not be addressed in next month’s Budget.
“Our September budget will concentrate on cleaning up Labor’s mess and keeping our promises,” he said.
“There will be a significant infrastructure program and, over coming budgets, we will also need to fund our share of the billions required for the remaining sections of the South Road project.
“Projects like this one, and others, will need to be considered over the medium to longer term as budgetary circumstances permit.”