Breakdown of State Government’s record $12.9 billion infrastructure spend over next four years revealed

The State Government will spend a record $12.9 billion on infrastructure over the next four years, but not just on roads and roundabouts. Find out which organisations are in line for a funding injection.

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It’s been proudly acclaimed as South Australia’s largest ever infrastructure spend – a record $12.9 billion over four years.

And a breakdown of just who is getting the cash reveals it is not all about roads and roundabouts.

An array of infrastructure projects is being underpinned by major upgrades to schools, hospitals, fire stations and courts, new figures show.

The biggest spender is the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, which is responsible for roads, rail and public transport.

But both the education and health departments are also a huge beneficiary of taxpayer funding with new or revamp builds of public assets.

This week, the State Government came under fire after Infrastructure Australia did not list a single new project from SA on its annual list of building priorities.

The State Government has provided the Sunday Mail details of its infrastructure spending that it says will help support up to 80,000 construction jobs in state.

$303 million will be spent of the Regency to Pym project. Picture: SA Government

Almost 100 schools will share in $856 million of upgrades.

And nearly $30 million is being attributed to the sand-carting project from Semaphore to West Beach.

A long-awaited new CFS and SES headquarters in Waymouth St will get a $14 million makeover.

A further $18 million will be spent on rejuvenating fire stations and equipment.

The Yatala Labour Prison will get $150 million and the $22 million will go towards the Adelaide Women’s Prison expansion.

Health has been promised $550 million towards the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital and a further $243 million towards the Queen Elizabeth Hospital redevelopment.

Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll said the record $12.9 billion spend would change the landscape in South Australia.

$532 million will go towards the Gawler Line Electrification Project ...

... and $865 million will be spent on school upgrades.

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“Whether it be the intersection upgrades, public transport improvements or building and improving our state’s hospitals and schools, South Australians will notice big changes,” Mr Knoll said.

“We are fixing over 1000km of country roads and delivering the long-awaited Port Wakefield and Joy Baluch AM Bridge upgrades, making our country roads safer and helping to save lives.

“We are also busting congestion and reducing travel times with 10 intersection upgrades and rail level crossings.”

But Opposition infrastructure spokesman Tom Koutsantonis said that every government spent more on infrastructure each year.

“The list shows that almost all of the commitments were made under the last Labor government,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“Maintenance on existing infrastructure is not new infrastructure.

“The Government is not doing what it needs to do to grow the economy.

“They need to be showing people where there is new infrastructure.”