MPs argue over push for parliamentary inquiry into North-South Corridor acquisitions

Political tensions are boiling over a parliamentary inquiry into compulsory home acquisitions for the final stage of the North-South Corridor

A parliamentary inquiry into compulsory home acquisitions on the North-South Corridor could delay progress on the project, according to the state government, but Labor dismisses that claim as “rubbish”.

A total of 393 properties will be acquired for the project, which would be the last stage of the North-South Corridor between the River Torrens and Anzac Highway.

Opposition infrastructure spokesman Tom Koutsantonis instigated the inquiry and claimed out-of-date valuations would be used by the government, leaving homeowners short changed.

He said residents had not been told whether their homes would be replaced by infrastructure or a staging point.

He said if a home was not being replaced by necessary infrastructure, a homeowner had the right to argue to keep their property.

Transport Minister Corey Wingard labelled Mr Koutsantonis’s move “cowboy antics” that could delay a contract being awarded and push the project’s estimated finish date from 2030 to 2033.

“There are a number of elements of Tom Koutsantonis’s inquiry which could result in decisions needing to be deferred, delaying the project timeline and adding cost,” Mr Wingard said.

Artist impression of River Torrens to Darlington upgrade section of the North-South Corridor. Picture: Supplied

“This government has done its homework and has a very well-structured design, delivery plan and business case which Mr Koutsantonis will only put at risk with these cowboy antics.”

On Thursday, letters were sent to 224 residents across Hindmarsh, Ashford and Richmond, advising owners their properties would be acquired by the state government at the end of 2024, with the process to begin in mid-to-late 2022.

Mr Koutsantonis said the main reason for launching an inquiry was due to a lack of transparency over acquisition planning and reference designs.

“If the Minister had been more transparent there wouldn’t be a need for an inquiry,” he said.

He said the inquiry, which was yet to begin, could be brief and claims by the state government that it would delay the project were “complete rubbish”.

“People are having their homes acquired and they don’t know how their homes fit into the project,” he said.

“We shouldn’t have to move an inquiry to get to the bottom of this but we have to because they’re just not giving us the information.”

The Civil Contractors Federation SA was supportive of “proper acquisition processes” and said the inquiry could “risk” project development.

“CCF SA acknowledges the proposed inquiry may put at risk project procurement and property acquisition timelines,” CCF SA chief executive Rebecca Pickering said.

“The civil industry voices it concerns particularly where delays impact funding release into industry, supply chain and the community.”