‘Whatever the cost’: Government cost to remove SAPOL from Thebarton barracks is $162.5m

The cost to remove SAPOL from the Thebarton barracks has been hit with another huge cost blowout – with the government saying they will pay whatever it takes.

Liberal front bench MP Matt Cowdrey speaking about the cost blowout to remove SAPOL from Thebarton Police Barracks. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe

The cost to move South Australia Police from the Thebarton barracks has blown out more than $72.5m to $162.5m, the Opposition says, amid fears it could hit the $200m mark.

But the government has hit back saying the initial price tag never covered the full project and police deserve the “very best” saying it would pay “whatever the cost” to deliver the project.

The original cost of the project was $90m but it has blown out multiple times, including to $153m in May and most recently to $162.5m, according to the Opposition.

Budget estimates revealed the total cost to move police from the site is $162.5m.

The government said the $90m project was only referring to the relocation of the dogs and horses to Gepps Cross.

The project will also include moving 15 business units and cost $162.5m.

Acting Treasurer Kyam Maher said “currently the approved and expected costs for the relocation of all units is $162.5m”.

“This includes the moving of all other functions from the barracks, not just the horses,” he said.

Opposition analysis shows $72.5m could have funded more than 1000 new police cadets with an annual salary of $63,950.

The opposition has claimed the cost to remove SAPOL from the Thebarton barracks has surged to $162.5m — $72.5m more than originally budgeted. Picture: Ben Clark

“We understand the government has a number of priorities that they need to deliver,” opposition Treasurer Matt Cowdrey said.

“But Labor now has a significant reputation for cost blowouts and time blowouts across just about every major project that they have had their fingers on in this state since they took government.”

Mr Cowdrey said both the North South Corridor project and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital projects had also blown out.

Mr Maher said SAPOL is working with the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital (nWCH) project team to enable a stage relocation of the 15 business units.

“SAPOL is utilising other areas available to it for the housing of the MOU during the transition from Thebarton to Gepps Cross and the City Staging site,” he said.

“This outcome will provide improved facilities for both staff and horses, while making way for construction of the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital at the current Thebarton site.”

Mr Koutsantonis said the government will pay whatever the cost to relocate the police because they deserve the best infrastructure. Picture: Ben Clark

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis denied claims the barracks relocation was ever going to cost less than $100m.

“The treasurer talked about relocating eight functions of the police barracks and giving them brand new for purpose, world-class facilities is going to be expensive,” he said.

“Our police deserve the very, very best infrastructure possible.

“Whatever the cost is … the police deserve the very best … we’re prepared to give it to them.”