Support grows for big infrastructure project but SA remains divided

ENTHUSIASM is building for another major infrastructure project like Adelaide Oval or a new hospital — but people are divided over what South Australia should build.

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SUPPORT is growing for another major infrastructure project like Adelaide Oval or a new hospital but people are divided over the merits.

A slim majority of 51 per cent backed another big project to get the economy moving – compared to almost 60 per cent rejecting the prospect as unaffordable last year.

A similar majority backed plans to co-locate the Women’s and Children’s Hospital with the new RAH.

Similarly, support rose for the construction of another, smaller stadium in the Adelaide Oval precinct, with more than 26 per cent backing a multipurpose stadium. In last year’s survey, only nine per cent favoured this option.

However, more than 55 per cent opposed construction of either a multipurpose stadium or a single-use facility for soccer or tennis.

This figure was similar to last year’s survey.

The Advertiser last month revealed an ambitious arena that could host concerts, events, soccer, tennis and basketball is being proposed for the Adelaide Oval precinct.

One option being costed is understood to involve substantially funding the arena by selling off the Adelaide Entertainment Centre for commercial use, potentially a new shopping centre, and using Hindmarsh Stadium for housing.

A business case is being prepared and sites examined near the Memorial Drive tennis complex. It is believed to include an area west of Montefiore Rd, encroaching on North Adelaide Golf Club’s south-eastern tip.

State Liberal Party president and Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority deputy chairman John Olsen has urged serious consideration of the “emerging opportunity” for a multipurpose arena near the Oval.

The business case has been commissioned by the Adelaide Venue Management Corporation, which operates the Entertainment Centre, Conven-tion Centre and Hindmarsh Stadium.

Despite the slim majority backing a co-located WCH near the new RAH, the breakdown shows 53.3 per cent of females are opposed to the plan.

However, support is strongest among the younger families segment, at 58.3 per cent.

Former WCH and SA Health chief Jim Birch in April was appointed to lead an expert taskforce, charged with planning construction of the new hospital.

The Liberal policy, taken to the March state election, is to develop a fully-costed plan with a view to achieving co-location of the two hospitals by 2024.

The Liberal policy argues the WCH’s present North Adelaide location does not support best practice in contemporary health care for women.