Infrastructure SA has mapped out an inaugural 20-year infrastructure strategy for South Australia that aims to provide short- and long-term strategic direction for projects across the state.
South Australia’s infrastructure projects have been given a clear pathway forward following Infrastructure SA’s release of a 20-year strategy.
Featuring contributions from companies and bodies across several industries, the project aims to show the priorities of the state’s infrastructure development over the next two decades.
Some of the key principles of the plan include the optimisation of current assets before constructing new infrastructure, the application of a lifecycle approach to new infrastructure and the prioritisation of infrastructure that contributes to economic and jobs growth.
A plan for South Australia’s tourism sector has been set out by Infrastructure SA, which includes ongoing construction of tourism facilities, assets and services – along with the need for more large-scale facilities to be constructed.
“It is critical for the success of the (tourism) sector in a competitive global market and provides a compelling reason for visitors to travel to South Australia,” Infrastructure SA said in the plan.
Growth in the state’s tourism is linked to South Australia’s roads and transport, with the report highlighting a lack of efficient regional connections.
“The road network within Adelaide is characterised by a grid-like network with a high occurrence of intersections. This presents a natural capacity constraint as population grows,” the plan stated. “To maintain network efficiency as the population grows and to avoid the congestion experienced in other states, it will be important for public transport to take a greater share of the demand.”
Freight transport networks are also required to continue to boost South Australia’s economy and add efficiency to supply chains.
The plan also outlines the need to develop an integrated health service and infrastructure planning framework for the state’s health system. Housing affordability is also listed as a major area that needs improvement.
With water as South Australia’s most vital resource, Infrastructure SA stated that South Australia must “champion” development of a National Water Plan to secure water supplies not only for human consumption but also for economic growth in major industry projects that require large water supplies.
Landfill limitations have also been prioritised in the plan, with South Australia producing the most waste per capita in all of Australia’s jurisdictions. However it has been the most efficient in recycling and processing waste.
Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) is one of the many industry bodies who support the plan.
“CCAA welcomes Infrastructure SA’s 20 Year strategy and looks forward to seeing the development of each Government agencies’ 10 year asset management plans,” CCAA state director for New South Wales and South Australia Jason Kuchel told Quarry.
“Through these processes, CCAA will continue to advocate for the need to identify the heavy construction material supplies needed, along with supply constraints, to establish and maintain all forms of infrastructure in a timely and cost effective manner for South Australia.
“The 20-year strategy identifies a number of planing steps required for various projects to be validated and we encourage the Government to move forward with these business cases quickly, with a view to bringing as many of thees projects to fruition as possible.
Further development of the infrastructure strategy and capital intentions statement over time, will lead to greater certainty for the heavy construction materials sector to invest to meet the needs of the state.”
A snapshot of Infrastructure SA’s 20-year strategy and the full report can be viewed at the Infrastructure SA website.