Modernising road maintenance
30 April 2019
The Marshall Government will be
extending its 20-year partnership with industry to modernise
South
Australia’s approach to maintaining our
road network, as announced in
last year’s State Budget.
Currently, about 60 per cent of the annual
road maintenance budget is
delivered by industry through external contracts.
The State Government will soon release a
tender for the maintenance of
the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure’s entire
23,000-kilometre
road network (14,000km sealed, 9,000km unsealed) – a
move expected to save SA taxpayers up to $9 million a year from 2021/22.
“By partnering with industry, we will be able to keep pace with
increasing demands of maintaining South Australia’s road network,” said
Treasurer Lucas.
“The Marshall Government wants to continue to improve South Australia’s
roads and by further capitalising on the expertise and efficiency of
industry we can better achieve that goal.
“Through this expertise and efficiency, we will also be able to save
South Australian taxpayers up to $9 million each year from 2021/2022.
“Proposed contracts to maintain these roads will see the State divided
into four zones –
Adelaide metropolitan, Regional South, Regional North and Outback.
“Having four dedicated areas will allow us to leverage the expertise of
road maintenance contractors and allow them to focus on providing the
best possible outcomes for their area.
“Grouping similar road types within these four zones will provide
further efficiencies for potential contractors to help save taxpayer
dollars.
“A key priority is to provide road users with reliable networks to
ensure efficient and safe journeys and the Government intends to work
with contractors to deliver improved services with greater innovation.
“The opening of road maintenance activities across the State to
competitive tendering will also attract new investment, support local
employment and local industries.
“The approach to road maintenance will continue to have a strong focus
on local job opportunities.
“The proposed contracts will include requirements to sub-contract to
local small and medium businesses as well as the employment of trainees
and apprentices.
“It’s important to reiterate that everyone who currently has a job with
the department, and wants a job when these contracts start, will have a
job.”
The initial contract term is proposed to be for seven years with an
option to renew for a further six years (3+3) subject to the contractors
meeting performance standards linked to levels of service and
performance.
DPTI will be consulting with its workforce and relevant unions regarding
the proposed future model for road maintenance to ensure they are best
placed to take up opportunities under the new road maintenance
contracts, either with the Department or with successful contractors.
The tender process will begin in April 2019 and is expected to be
completed by mid-2020, with the intention of having new arrangements in
place by the end of 2020.
--ENDS--
Source: South Australian Government - www.premier.sa.gov.au
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