Train line extension will boost development, industry and tourism to Port Adelaide, community says

Port Adelaide is eagerly awaiting Labor’s promise to extend a train line right into the heart of the Port – saying it will dramatically boost the area.

Extending the train line into the heart of Port Adelaide will spur on development, creating a more attractive proposition for housing, industry and tourism, locals say.

The move is a $52m pledge by the new state government to supercharge the historic maritime town, which has begun to transform into a thriving waterfront community over the past few decades, but has a public transport system that has developed little during that time.

Shortly after the Marshall Liberal government came to power in 2018, plans for a 1km spur off the Outer Harbor line and station near Pirate Life Brewing on Baker St were put on ice.

But the change of government has broken that ice and the wheels are in motion for a revival of the Port Dock railway station, although the timeline remains a mystery.

The project will also include a rebuild of the Port Dock railway station.

Long-time Port developer Hans Ehmann welcomed the moves as “another positive step forward in the resurgence of Port Adelaide”.

He said an efficient public transport system would “benefit restaurants, pubs, breweries, hotels and other attractions by making it easier for people to get to the Port”.

“The railway line extension will also add to the liveability of Port Adelaide, which supports my goal to reintroduce a sizeable resident population to the city,” Mr Ehmann said.

“We are in discussion with architects, planners and financiers regarding development plans … (including) Customs House … which will add further value to the lifestyle of residents of the Queen’s Wharf.”

Port Adelaide from the air in late 2021, showing recent development.

Clipper Ship City of Adelaide director Peter Christopher said he had no doubt the rail extension would boost tourism.

“At present many visitors use the train, but it stops quite a distance away,” he said. “The extension will make it more convenient for visitors to access the Clipper Ship and the other three museums.”

Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Claire Boan has publicly supported the rail extension, but also wants to see a vibrant train and bus interchange that doubles as a cultural precinct.

Local MP and Deputy Premier Susan Close said the rail extension was “absolutely going to happen, this term … for the economic benefit”.

“There’s a housing development called Dock One, which is just over the road (and) the people were very disappointed when their easy trip into town was cancelled,” Dr Close said.

“And that development is only just in its first stage, the other stages are happening at present, so that will make it much easier to develop and sell properties there.”

Dr Close said there had been high levels of investment in the area by local businesses including Pirate Life and the Port Admiral Hotel, on the basis there would be an extended train line to support them.

“And of course there are public servants who work in the port … and they will now be able to much more easily hop on a train and go into the city if that’s necessary for work,” Dr Close said.

Pirate Life worker Christie Hickey said having a train stop close by would be great, “particularly for the punters outside of the area to be able to easily access everything the Port has to offer, especially Pirate Life”.

Pirate Life duty manager Troy Lambert with fellow worker Christie Hickey in the heart of old Port Adelaide. Picture: Emma Brasier

“It’s super exciting to have an opportunity to expand the Port, when it has been incredibly underrated for so long,” she said. “It’s great to be part of that change and see it happening in real time,” Ms Hickey said.

The Port Adelaide Renewal Project was established in 2012 to boost the area and has turned $50m of public money into more than $600m of private sector investment.

By 2027, the project is expected to have created more than 350 construction jobs a year and a total of 1500 to 2000 ongoing jobs in the region, Planning, Housing and Urban Development Minister Nick Champion said.

Up to 8000 additional residents will have moved in, “as a result of new housing and employment options”, he said.