Image: Alan Kotok
After a devastating blow to the South Australian economy when the automotive industry packed up and left, the Jay Weatherill government is keen to fill the void by making significant investments into the local economy.
The controversial departure of automotive companies from the Festival State left an idle, retrenched workforce that needed urgent attention from the state government, which meant putting the skills of displaced former automotive manufacturing employees back into use.
And usually the first place a government starts is to spend money from its own coffers to ensure displaced workforces have something to do, and according to the government, there’s a lot of work to be done across the state and a lot funding to get it done.
The government released a statement this week that a ‘record number’ of South Australians will be working on public infrastructure projects in 2017, as part of its ambitious investment in rebuilding roads, rail and other assets at a total value of $12.1 billion over the next four years.
According to the government, new major projects valued at $1.5 billion will support more than 1,300 jobs in the year ahead, including $238 million on the Torrens Rail Junction and Mike Turtur Bikeway overpass; $220 million on the Festival Plaza redevelopment; the $152.4 million Gawler electrification, and the $70 million AdeLINK Tram extension among many others.
The longer term projects over four years include more than 130 infrastructure projects including $1.6 billion on water infrastructure; $985 million on the Northern Connector; $896 million on the Torrens Road and River Torrens upgrade; and the Convention Centre redevelopment for $397 million.
The government has acknowledged that these projects have been initiated to help “more South Australians get into work”, which is an important part of its industry participation policy that ensures the investment provides new job opportunities and helps existing workers learn new skills.
South Australian Minister for Transport & Infrastructure and Housing & Urban Development Stephen Mullighan said 2017 promises to be another year of major achievements and milestones for the state government, with billions of dollars of investment in public infrastructure.
“These vital transport, infrastructure and urban development projects, such as the billions being spent upgrading the North-South Corridor, will generate enormous benefits in terms of economic activity and job creation,” Mr Mullighan said.
He said the government’s “paramount focus” on maximising the benefits of this investment for South Australians will result in the creation of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic benefits to local businesses.
