More home, business acquisition not ruled out for Torrens-to-Darlington project

A Transport Department head has admitted the state government could compulsorily acquire more homes and businesses for the Torrens to Darlington project.

The Transport Department has refused to put a cap on the number of businesses and homes it will bulldoze for North-South corridor works, saying only that no further compulsory acquisitions are currently planned.

Pushed for a final acquisition figure during a parliamentary committee meeting last week, department deputy chief executive Wayne Buckerfield could not rule out further buy-ups.

“It is possible (more acquisitions will come),” he said.

“It’s not uncommon for any project that as the design gets refined there can be small changes to the requirements.

“At the moment we don’t have that (acquisitions) estimate because we have only identified those properties which are affected by the current design.

“As that evolves, and particularly as we get into the detailed design once we have awarded a contract, you will find some others might come to light.”

Opposition transport spokesman Vincent Tarzia said the government had used the same line before.

An artist impression of the southern tunnel at Tonsley, part of the River Torrens to Darlington Project.

“We’ve seen this alarming ambiguity before when Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis refused to rule out further acquisitions under Labor’s new design, only to find out later that there are 131 extra homes and businesses that will be flattened,’’ he said.

“Now we’re being fed that same ambiguous line again about other potential changes to the

North-South project and South Australians who thought they were finally safe would be

rightly feeling angry at Tom Koutsantonis.”

The Advertiser understands the context of the comments was an attempt to hedge against any future uncertainties, rather than imminent announcements of more acquisitions.

Mr Koutsantonis was asked to comment and a state government spokesman said there was currently no discussions with property owners.

Looking at the northern tunnel at Torrensville.

“There have been no discussions regarding compulsory acquisition to construct the River Torrens to Darlington motorway with people beyond the 524 full and partial acquisitions announced in December 2022,’’ the spokesman said.

“All affected property owners along the North South Corridor have been notified.”

Locals wanting more information on the project can attend a hub at 1194 South Road and the Brickworks Marketplace.

People are also able to book individual meetings with project staff organised on the project website or by calling 1300 951 145.

The incoming state government, following the March 2022 state election, reworked plans for the project when local MP Tom Koutsantonis because the Minister for Transport.

At the Torrens end of the development, residents had complained about the elevated ramps, but these were the last changes made to acquisition numbers.