South Australian state budget: $27 million for project business cases

An Adelaide concert hall, Barossa Valley hospital and freight bypass are among major projects that will have a business case funded in this month’s state budget.

Business cases for a concert hall, Barossa Valley hospital and greater Adelaide freight bypass will be funded with a $27 million state budget injection.

The June 22 budget will expand a Business Case Fund, established last year with an initial $10 million.

Treasurer Rob Lucas said a Northern Water Proposal, which would enable major mine development and create thousands of jobs, was among three existing cases that would receive funding.

New business cases would be backed by the new injection of money, also included an Eyre Highway widening and upgrade to provide access for triple road trains from the Western Australian border through to Port Augusta.

Others would involve examining options for the SA Police communications centre, higher courts accommodation and cost/benefit analysis for duplicating the Princes Hwy and Swanport Bridge between Murray Bridge and the Mallee Hwy.

Prominent architect Guy Maron has created plans for a concert hall he says should be built in Elder Park or around Lot 14/Botanic Park. Picture: Guy Maron Architects

Mr Lucas said a steady stream of major infrastructure projects was vital to South Australia’s economic and jobs growth.

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

“By expanding the Business Case Fund, we equip agencies with the necessary funds to ensure South Australia remains one step ahead on major job-creating projects that could form the road map for the state’s infrastructure future.

“We also provide our multi-billion construction industry, which supports thousands of local jobs, with a steady pipeline of work for years to come.”

Labor treasury spokesman Stephen Mullighan has criticised the government for repeatedly spruiking big-dollar projects but failing to deliver on-ground results.

He has argued a pre-election budget is too late to tackle this lengthy neglect.