Liberals would create infrastructure body to end 'ad hoc' approach to planning in SA

A LIBERAL government would establish an Infrastructure SA body to "end the ad hoc approach" to planning if elected next March.

Steven Marshall

A LIBERAL government would establish an Infrastructure SA body to "end the ad hoc approach" to planning if elected next March.

Addressing the SA Press Club in Adelaide, Mr Marshall said the body was needed to streamline infrastructure projects and ensure taxpayer funds were spent "more efficiently and responsibly".

The body would be charged with producing a 25-year infrastructure strategy which would complement the existing 30-year-plan for greater Adelaide.

The strategy would be tabled in Parliament and reviewed every five years.

Infrastructure SA would also produce rolling five-year plans to keep a "pipeline" of works operating.

Mr Marshall said there would be "minor establishment costs" and the body would be funded from existing budgets.

"At every step, with every decision, we must ensure that infrastructure projects address true community need; that they provide a return to the community on community investment, that they are integrated and efficient," he said.

"Infrastructure SA will ensure that the right infrastructure projects, the projects of the highest priority, are identified and delivered.

"This will end the ad hoc approach we have had for too many years here in South Australia."

Mr Marshall said the work done by Infrastructure SA would "drive our economy by attracting capital investment, including private sector funding".

"If projects are carried out on time and on budget then investment becomes more appealing," he said. 

Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the government was opposed to toll roads.

"I believe that Mr Marshall and his Liberals are in favour of toll roads let's have that debate before the election,'' he said.