Infrastructure South Australia (ISA) has today released South Australia's first independent 20-year infrastructure strategy that will help build our state, grow our economy and underpin jobs.
The Marshall Government established ISA to provide independent advice to government to enable informed and evidence-based decisions on infrastructure planning, investment and delivery.
Premier Steven Marshall said the Government had delivered on a key election commitment to establish ISA as an independent body to provide expert and evidence-based advice.
"ISA's first 20-year infrastructure strategy provides a road map outlining the crucial long-term infrastructure issues we need to address to grow our economy, improve government service delivery, support population growth and create more jobs," said Premier Marshall.
"We have already established a record $12.9 billion pipeline of infrastructure works over the next four years to improve economic productivity, make our roads safer, invest in education, health and other important services and underpin tens of thousands of jobs.
"With ISA's 20-year strategy as our guide, we will continue to develop a long-term infrastructure pipeline to build a stronger and better South Australia.
"We will build on our massive investments in roads, schools and hospitals, as well as build better tourism and digital infrastructure to ensure we remain competitive against other smart cities."
Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll said the 20-year strategy identified some great economic opportunities to grow South Australia's economy.
"This strategy identifies some exciting opportunities to grow South Australia's economy and support investment across a range of sectors," said Minister Knoll.
"This report provides us with a blueprint to help us make smarter decisions about how we spend taxpayers' money when it comes to building infrastructure.
"It identifies immediate opportunities to extend water infrastructure to the Barossa and upgrade the Strzelecki track to boost economic productivity and output, both of which the State Government is currently investigating.
"The strategy also says we need to look at upgrading and optimising our current infrastructure assets and clear the backlog of road maintenance we inherited after 16 years of Labor.
"That's why we are investing record amounts to fix our roads, including over $1.1 billion to fix over 1,000 kilometres of country roads over the next four years to improve productivity and help save lives.
"The strategy also reaffirms the need to grow public transport patronage and invest in our network after we saw patronage flatline under the last ten years of the previous Labor administration.
"We will continue our planning and business case development so we can present more projects for ISA's consideration and advice as we continue building a strong South Australia."
