Trams, Gawler rail electrification top priorities put to pro-public transport PM Malcolm Turnbull

EXTENDING tramlines into the suburbs and electrifying the Gawler train line top a list of projects the State Government is urging the pro-public transport PM to reconsider allocating federal funding.

EXTENDING tramlines into the suburbs and electrifying the Gawler train line top a list of projects the State Government is urging pro-public transport Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to reconsider allocating federal funding.

The State Government is making new submissions to Infrastructure Australia for funding for projects, including extending the city tramline past the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site and into the eastern and western suburbs, and completing electrification of the Gawler train line.

It argues that these projects would generate direct employment during construction and increase population and economic activity in the suburbs.

Mr Turnbull is a well-known advocate of public transport, in contrast to former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who preferred to fund road projects.

Acting Premier John Rau said the new Prime Minister had been “making some very positive noises about a change in emphasis by the Commonwealth to actually look at big public transport projects”.

“Mr Abbott as PM wasn't very interested in rail; that appears to be now changing and we welcome that,” Mr Rau said.

He did not put a figure on the money being sought from the Commonwealth but said that past projects had attracted federal funding of 80 per cent or 90 per cent.

“We have to fit our contribution within the state budget as well,” he said.

Mr Rau said the state was offering a “menu” of projects from the “very large to more modest”.

“If we just say we’ve only got one project, take it or leave it, they might say we’re gonna leave it,” he said.

“The ones that appeal to them will be accelerated more quickly.

“If they’re funding projects which we would (otherwise) have to fund on our own balance sheet completely ... that means, in the medium term, there are potential investments we can make as a state which would have been put further back.”

The State Government has pledged to extend the city tramline past the redeveloped old RAH site within a decade but Mr Rau said that “will be a lot sooner” if the Commonwealth contributed funding.

Opposition transport spokesman Corey Wingard said his party had also raised the importance of public transport infrastructure in SA with Mr Turnbull.

However, he criticised the State Government for delays to projects so far, such as the Gawler electrification.

“My biggest concern is this government’s history of not getting these projects done and not getting value for money for South Australians,” he said.