Investing to build better regions
05 July 2019
South Australians living in regional
and rural communities will benefit from the Marshall Liberal
Government’s major investment in
schools,
hospitals,
roads, emergency
services, housing and tourism that will ensure continued positive
economic and jobs growth.
The 2019-20 State Budget recognises the enormous importance of the
regions as a key economic driver for the State – across primary
production, tourism, fisheries and forestry – and invests a record $1.1
billion over 8 years for regional road projects and infrastructure
upgrades to help save lives on country roads.
This includes a record $878 million of new funding for regional roads
and infrastructure – the single biggest injection of new funding in a
State Budget for regional roads in South Australia’s history.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone
said the Government was delighted to invest in the regions, which had
been long-ignored under the former Labor administration.
“Finally, regional South Australia has a Government that listens to them
and recognises their immense value to our state – both economically and
socially,’’ said Minister Whetstone.
“Our regions contribute around $25 billion a year to our state’s economy
and we want to see continued growth.”
Some of the record $1.1 billion in regional infrastructure projects over
8 years outlined in the 2019-20 State Budget include:
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Road upgrades, including additional overtaking lanes and shoulder sealing ($143 million);
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Eyre Highway ($125 million to upgrade South Australia’s section from Port Augusta to Perth – including $32 million to upgrade Eyre Peninsula Roads following the closure of the rail line);
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Sturt Highway from Renmark to Gawler ($87.5 million);
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Barrier Highway from Cockburn to Burra ($62.5 million);
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Horrocks Highway Corridor ($55 million);
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Duplication of Victor Harbor Road between Main South Road and McLaren Vale ($92 million);
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Kangaroo Island roads ($1 million);
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Princes Highway upgrade ($250 million);
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Granite Island causeway refurbishment ($20 million);
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Regional and remote airstrips ($1.8 million);
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$14 million to support the construction of the new Thomas Foods Facility;
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$14 million towards the Naracoorte and Kroemers Crossing roundabouts;
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$11 million for increased Dublin Saleyards access; and
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$1 million to open Bratten Bridge to road trains.
These initiatives are in addition to the existing annual regional
maintenance program worth $237 million over 4 years.
The Government’s investment in regional infrastructure is supported by
the Government’s commitment to make available 30 per cent of mineral and
petroleum royalties towards the Regional
Roads and Infrastructure Fund ($341 million over four years).
They build on other projects announced in last year’s State Budget
including the $200 million Duplication of the
Joy Baluch AM Bridge
project, the $90 million
Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication
project and the $14.6 million
Penola Bypass project.
“This budget also provides $25 million to upgrade the 100-year-old Dog
Fence, which our primary producers have long-identified as a key piece
of infrastructure to protect our livestock industry,” said Minister
Whetstone.
“The Marshall Liberal Government, working collaboratively with the
Morrison Coalition Government and industry, will deliver this
multi-generational investment with the Federal and State Governments
providing $10 million each and industry providing $5 million.
“Telecommunications are also vitally important to regional communities
to enable businesses to reach customers and grow.
“This is why we will continue to put additional funding ($10 million
over three years announced in the 2018-19 Budget) towards the Federal
Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program to improve efficiency and boost
jobs.
“The $15 million annual Regional Growth Fund continues to unlock
economic activity across our communities rewarding those businesses and
organisations which show vision and ambition.
“Projects such as the duplication of Victor Harbor Road between Main
South Road and McLaren Vale and upgrading the Horrocks Highway will
improve safety and boost productivity for those who rely on regional
roads.
“We will also deliver $143 million towards road safety upgrades,
including additional overtaking lanes and shoulder sealing to facilitate
increased speed limits on various regional roads.
“This massive investment will build our regions and help save lives on
our country roads.”
The Government also maintains its commitments from the 2018-19 Budget to
country health, with a $140 million injection over ten years to address
the backlog in capital works projects, while $20 million over four years
will address the shortage of doctors and other healthcare professionals
in rural areas.
The Budget is also investing $1.4 billion into capital projects to
improve school facilities across the state, support sustainable
enrolment growth and transition Year 7 into high school.
Regional tourism operators will also benefit from an extra $33 million
in Tourism marketing (in addition to the $10 million provided in last
year’s Budget for 2019-20) from the Economic and Business Growth Fund to
enable the South Australian Tourism Commission to further promote South
Australia to international and interstate markets.
--ENDS--
Source: South Australian Government - www.premier.sa.gov.au
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