South Road upgrade delay claims debunked in report, Liberals say

The Liberals have accused the government of a “con job” over South Road upgrades, saying they’ve got a report debunking Labor’s reasons for delays.

The State’s economy could take a $134m hit by delays in the Torrens to Darlington stretch of South Rd, documents reveal.

The Advertiser revealed on Saturday that a delay in the start of works from 2023 to 2024 was blamed by the State Government on bad planning by the previous Liberal government.

Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis accused the former government of rushing the planning to score political points in the March state election.

He said he had independent advice that its timeline for completion was unrealistic, and it was badly designed.

Opposition Leader David Speirs hit back on Saturday, and said Labor needed the $1.1bn funding cut over four years to pay for expensive election promises.

Mr Koutsantonis said the total cost of the huge project — the biggest in SA history — remained at $9.9bn but instead of $4.3bn being spent over the next four years $3.2bn would be spent.

But Opposition Leader David Speirs revealed independent cost estimates showed that increased Adelaide traffic congestion and accidents would be caused by the delay, costed at $134m.

Mr Speirs said the extra cost was revealed in an Infrastructure Australia document released in February which had cleared the project to attract 50/50 funding from the commonwealth.

He said the project was now a “shambles” and the delay was based on a “shonky report” by the State Government.

“This is a real doozy, a con job, and example of a real stuff up,’' Mr Speirs said.

“This is the most significant infrastructure project in South Australia’s history.”

Mr Speirs said the $1.1bn withdrawn from funding over the next four years would also hit the construction industry.

“What it means is a massive productivity blow to South Australia,” he said.

South Australian Road Transport Association head Steve Shearer said the delay would not cause problems for the industry.

“When it is available for us to use it we will use it,’’ he said.

The Advertiser understands the predicted cost of $134m could be more than offset by savings being made from Labor’s plans to change the design of the project, between the River Torrens and the Darlington interchange.

Mr Koutsantonis is opposed to two expensive elevated works, at Anzac Hwy and at West Hindmarsh, adjacent to the Brickworks – both of which have been controversial with local communities.

Mr Koutsantonis said the Infrastructure Australia report was no longer relevant to the project as the assumptions it used were “all wrong”.

South Road Inner West Action Group spokeswoman Mandy Doolan said the delay was disappointing but residents and businesses were happy with the consultation they had been given under the new government.

“We are happy that the elevated sections are now off the table,’’ she said.

“We are looking forward to better community consultation.”

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

South Australian Liberal leader David Speirs. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz