Adelaide’s proposed Aboriginal art centre the only new project to get on new key infrastructure list
The agency that gauges the nation’s best infrastructure projects does not have a single new road or rail project from SA on its list. But the Premier’s pet project has rated a mention.
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No new major road or rail projects in South Australia have been listed on the multi-billion spending priorities for the nation to be released Wednesday.
However, Steven Marshall’s prized proposed Aboriginal art centre at Lot Fourteen has made the important list for the first time.
As calls grow for infrastructure projects to be fast-tracked to boost the country’s economy, a new report by the Commonwealth agency tasked with ranking projects shows it is business as usual for SA.
Key road and rail projects that have been on the drawing board for a number of years – including the North-South corridor and the Adelaide tram network expansion – remain on the list. But the absence of new major road or rail projects is expected to draw criticism of the State Government from the business and transport sectors.
The State Government has pledged $1.1 billion, over 10 years, for regional infrastructure projects. Its Infrastructure SA board is working on a 20-year plan for the state.
It has also been lobbying the Federal Government to fast track other projects.
State Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas last week warned construction projects around SA were drying up.
The key election pledge of Mr Marshall, pictured, for an Aboriginal art and cultural centre, at Lot Fourteen, is the only SA project in today’s list to get a mention for the first time. The proposed centre has been listed alongside similar projects in the Northern Territory, West Australia and New South Wales as part of a broader ‘social infrastructure’ program.
“While there will be some competition between proposed facilities across multiple states and territories, there will be national benefit to providing dedicated facilities for the exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and culture,” the report said.
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“(It) requires a co-ordinated response to ensure that facilities are sufficiently diverse to be complementary, encouraging visitation at multiple locations.”
South Australia does not have a single project listed as high priority or high priority initiative. The Eyre Infrastructure Project, which includes the development of a deep water port at Cape Hardy and a railway between the mine and the port, is the only priority project.
Priority initiative projects include the North-South corridor, AdeLINK tram network, Strzelecki Track upgrade and Sturt Hwy improvements.
Infrastructure Australia chief executive Romilly Madew said the priority list reflected the diversity of the country’s future infrastructure needs and had a strong focus on resilience.