Budget set to deliver Rostrevor superschool and more Women’s and Children’s Hospital beds

A new superschool and extra beds at the planned WCH will be part of a $17.9b infrastructure splurge unveiled on Tuesday.

An extra 50 beds are expected to be added to the planned Women’s and Children’s Hospital and a new high school confirmed for Rostrevor as part of a $17.9bn infrastructure spend to be unveiled in Tuesday’s state budget.

Another key project, the $700m Riverbank arena revealed by Premier Steven Marshall in March, will be kickstarted by funds for planning and site preparation works.

Mr Marshall said the 10.5km final stage of the North-South Corridor project between the River Torrens and Darlington would have “billions” allocated over the four-year forward estimates but did not give details.

It is understood the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital, earmarked for between the RAH and southern rail line, will have 50 beds added to a total previously set at between 330 and 350 for the at-least $1.9bn project.

The planned $700 million, 15,000-seat multipurpose arena. Picture: Supplied

It also is understood the budget will confirm a new year 7-12 high school will be built at the Rostrevor middle school campus of Norwood Morialta High. NMHS is consolidating at its Magill campus next year.

Labor on June 9 released what it said was a leaked confidential government document showing plans to spend more than $80m on a 1200-place school at the site.

Mr Marshall hailed the record infrastructure spend as triggering an enormous construction jobs boom to turbocharge the ongoing recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, stressing the program contained more than $1bn in extra funds over four years.

“Our budget for a stronger South Australia is creating jobs, building what matters and delivering better services to further secure our growing global reputation as one of the safest and most attractive places in the world to live, work and raise a family,” he said.

The budget also will contain funds for planning work for proposed Augusta Highway duplication works from Port Pirie to Crystal Brook, which also attracted a slice of $148m allocated in May’s federal budget for duplication works from Port Wakefield to Lochiel.

A previously released artist impression showing location of new Women's and Children's Hospital.

The budget infrastructure spend includes previously announced projects, such as the $8.1m for restoring and upgrading Ayers House.

Labor treasury spokesman Stephen Mullighan seized on Treasurer Rob Lucas’s declaration in Saturday’s Advertiser that SA risked losing from 2026-27 under a GST deal cut in 2018 to prop up now-booming Western Australia.

“Rob Lucas has finally admitted that he and Steven Marshall signed up to a GST deal that duds South Australians,” Mr Mullighan said.

“They did this against the advice of state Treasury. This is nothing short of a scandal.

“Steven Marshall and Rob Lucas’s capitulation to their Liberal colleagues in Canberra means WA wins and SA loses.”

Twins Margot and Mabel Lund, 3, at The Civic Library, Woodville. Picture: Mike Burton

Hush-hush as library funding approved

By Kathryn Bermingham

Bookworms of all ages will welcome news that library funding has been locked in by the state government.

Premier Steven Marshall announced $20.7m would be allocated annually to help fund the state’s 137 libraries.

Three-year-old twins Margot and Mabel Lund are regular visitors to the Woodville Civic Library, where they enjoy Toddler Time and story sessions.

“It’s just nice to be a part of the community and see familiar people that are outside their friendship group,” their mum, Vashti, said.

“It encourages them to read books and enjoy reading, which I think is really important for their development.”

Mr Marshall said libraries were the lifeblood of communities across the state, particularly in regional areas.

“Libraries provide endless entertainment, a safe place and quiet sanctuary to many South Australians and I’m pleased bookworms around the state will continue to benefit from our vast library network,” he said.

He said the state’s 137 libraries were located in 69 council areas and provided access to more than 4 million items.

Renae Walker with her Children Tamryn, 15, Max, 9, and Oscar, 4 at the SA Districts Netball Courts in Golden Grove. Picture: Emma Brasier

Sports vouchers get more kids competing

By Elizabeth Henson

More South Australian youngsters will be eligible to receive $100 vouchers towards sports memberships after the state government expanded the subsidy to year 8 and 9 students.

The Sports Vouchers program, which offers $100 discounts on sports, dance and swimming lesson memberships, is currently offered to students from reception to year 7. However, the government is allocating an extra $1.6 million a year towards the initiative in Tuesday’s state budget to allow years 8 and 9 students to cash in.

This will bring the total funding for the program to $10 million a year.

Dublin mother Renae Walker, 32, said she used the vouchers to pay for her nine-year-old son Max’s sports.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Recreation, Sport and Racing Corey Wingard. Picture: Emma Brasier

“Because of the sports vouchers Max is able to play multiple sports; he plays basketball, netball and he does Auskick,” she said.

“Without the vouchers, he’d probably have to just choose one.”

Max said he would “be able to play more sports now and I’ll get more vouchers”.

Sport Minister Corey Wingard said participation in physical activity among children decreased as they got older and the early high school years were a “key drop-off point”.

“Taking $100 off sporting fees per child provides a welcome relief for households who can put the cash towards other cost of living pressures without having to restrict their child’s lifestyle,” he said.

So far this year, more than 35,000 vouchers have been claimed, for a total support of $3.5m.