Premier Steven Marshall says South Australia must be a ‘can-do state’

Premier Steven Marshall is declaring South Australia must be a “can-do state” as he pumps money into city projects ahead of a crucial council vote on his $662m Riverbank arena.

Premier Steven Marshall is declaring South Australia must be a “can-do state” to remain the world’s best place to live, work and raise a family, as he pumps money into city projects ahead of crucial vote for his re-election centrepiece, the $662m Riverbank Arena.

Three key projects in the Reignite Adelaide campaign – run by Adelaide City Council – will get almost $400,000 in state funds, Mr Marshall revealed before a key council vote on the stadium.

The council on Tuesday night is poised to overturn an October 26 decision to oppose the 15,000-seat arena, proposed for the River Torrens’ southern bank, west of the Morphett St bridge.

In a joint statement with Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor, Mr Marshall said it was “absolutely vital” to attract as many people as possible to the CBD because some businesses were struggling after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Declaring himself unapologetically ambitious for the state, Mr Marshall trumpeted Adelaide being ranked the world’s third-most-liveable city and the nation’s best by The Economist.

“We must be a can-do state so South Australia remains the best place in the world to live, work and raise a family,” Mr Marshall told The Advertiser.

Premier Steven Marshall: “We must be a can-do state.” Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

The city projects include $400,000 to expand a street and laneway improvement program by extending the scope to include laneways off Hutt, Gouger, Hindley, Rundle, Melbourne and O’Connell streets.

Automated street bollards will also be installed in the East End, enabling temporary event closures, in a $300,000 project co-funded with the city council.

A Friday Night Live co-funded events program also gets $90,000 for city and North Adelaide businesses to host music shows.

Ms Verschoor, whose casting vote passed the motion opposing the arena, thanked the government for supporting “these important initiatives for the city … the engine room of the state’s economy”.

Artist’s impression of the proposed arena on the Torrens Riverbank, promised by Steven Marshall if the Liberal government is re-elected. Picture: Supplied

The $662.3m Riverbank Arena has been forecast to attract 825,000 visitors annually, create more than 4500 jobs during construction and add more than $1bn to the state economy.

In June, Labor vowed to scuttle the arena, which it has branded a “basketball stadium”, and divert at least $100m into country health.

Asked whether the Opposition also was opposed to development in the parklands slated for the arena, a spokesman said Labor had built the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and Adelaide Convention Centre and upgraded Adelaide Oval in the precinct.

“We are not opposed to development where it is needed. We do believe the carpark off Festival Drive (part of the arena site) could be put to better use,” the spokesman said.