Bridges, jetties and boat ramps the target of $40m funding injection ahead as part of State Budget
Bridges, jetties and boat ramps, largely in regional communities, will be the target of $40m in state funding in an effort to boost SA’s country towns.
SA News
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South Australia’s ageing bridges and boating infrastructure will be the target of a $40 million injection of funds in the upcoming State Budget.
On Sunday, Infrastructure Minister Corey Wingard said some regional boat ramps and jetties had lapsed into “wrack and ruin” over the years.
He committed the pool of funds to kickstart a series of projects, repairs and upgrades across the state, mainly in regional areas, which are slated to be completed within the next two years.
“We know how important boat ramps and jetties are for regional communities and upgrading these facilities will boost the economy of these country towns,” he said.
“We know that when people go to these towns they use the jetty, they stay the night, they dine out and they put money back into the community.”
The announcement comes as part of a $12.9 billion infrastructure spend which has been a core element of the State Government’s long term plans.
Boat ramps and jetties which Mr Wingard vowed to improve within the next two years include Anxious Bay Boat Ramp, Cape Jervis Jetty, Streaky Bay Shelter, Coffin Bay Jetty and O’Sullivan Beach Boat Ramp.
Within the next 18 months bridges on the Barrier Highway at Burra, Mawson Road at Meadows and Hindmarsh Tiers Road over Hindmarsh River will also be upgraded.
Mr Wingard conceded that while planning is in place for several of the projects, others have no plans in place.
Lower Eyre Peninsular Mayor Jo-Anne Quigley said the council, which includes Coffin Bay and Anxious Bay, welcomed the funding.
“Jetties really are lifelines for our regional communities and we can’t afford to lose them,” she said.
“It’s one of those things which are sometimes taken for granted but to not have them would be a huge hole in the regional community.”
A working group was established to lobby the State Government over the condition of South Australia’s jetties.
Ms Quigley said it was great that the government was listening to what the coastal councils were telling them but reinforced it is important to see the details of how much and when the funding would be provided.
“There wasn’t a lot of detail but I look forward to seeing what is in store for Coffin Bay.”
