From the Chief Executive

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport has had another highly successful year delivering infrastructure projects, transport improvements and essential services for the people of South Australia.

During 2023-2024, we progressed and completed a wide variety of projects and initiatives, not only providing everyday benefits to South Australians but also providing a critical boost to the State’s economy including supporting local businesses and jobs across the State.

We made exciting progress on the $15.4 billion River Torrens to Darlington Project, including releasing the major construction tender, undertaking advanced enabling works and progressing upgrades across the broader road network.

The River Torrens to Darlington Project will be the biggest infrastructure project in our State’s history, completing the final 10.5 kilometre section of the North-South Corridor. As well as providing a modern, enduring transport corridor that will benefit all road users, the project will support 5,500 jobs a year during construction, creating a valuable skills legacy for South Australia.

While the River Torrens to Darlington Project has understandably commanded much attention over the year, there have been many other major road infrastructure projects completed and progressed.

The $810 million Fleurieu Connections Project reached a number of major milestones, improving access and safety for travellers to our beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula. All four lanes of the new Main South Road Stage 1 and Victor Harbor Road duplications opened to traffic in December 2023, while Stage 2 of the Main South Road duplication from Aldinga Beach Road to Sellicks Beach commenced.

Major construction also commenced on the $120 million Majors Road Interchange, to provide new on and off ramps for the Southern Expressway that will improve the connection between the Expressway and local attractions.

Early works commenced on the Marion Road and Sir Donald Bradman Drive Intersection Upgrade, and main works commenced on the Brighton Road and Edwards Street junction upgrade. Safety improvements on Main Road, Cherry Gardens also commenced as part of the $150 million Adelaide Hills Productivity and Road Safety Package.

Work continued to upgrade the Heysen Tunnels on the South Eastern Freeway, including safety upgrades such as the installation of a lane-use management system and variable speed limit signs.

The $46 million Old Murray Bridge refurbishment project was completed, with traffic now moving freely across a better, safer bridge that will last for many decades to come.

Work through the $500 million Freight Highway Upgrade Program continued on three of our vital regional transport corridors – the Augusta Highway, the Stuart Highway and the Dukes Highway. The $260 million Augusta Highway Duplication Project also continued toward completion.

Other regional road achievements included the continued delivery of the $190 million Princes Highway Corridor program, from Meningie to the South Australian/Victorian border, with four roundabout upgrades at Mount Gambier nearing completion.

Work started to construct five new major floodways across the Oodnadatta Track, work continued on the $215 million upgrade of Strzelecki Track, and the sealing of a 10.5 kilometre section of Tea Tree Road was completed, notwithstanding the significant flood events which occurred across the region.

We completed several major intersection upgrades, which will improve safety and traffic flow for the many thousands of commuters who use them every day. This includes the $61 million upgrade of the intersection of Cross and Fullarton roads, and the $35 million upgrade of the Glen Osmond and Fullarton roads intersection.

Preparatory works also began on the major undertaking to remove level crossings from the Glenelg tram line at Marion Road and Cross Road, and replace them with an overpass. This $400 million project will mean no more waiting for busy boom gates that are down up to 20 minutes each hour during peak times, as well as improved safety, more accessible tram stops and better facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.

To help better understand the condition of our regional roads, we embraced world‑first technology, using the Intelligent Pavement Assessment Vehicle (iPAVE) to survey up to 18,000 kilometres of State maintained roads. This will provide rapid data collection without the need for traffic control, and will allow maintenance crews to make faster, more informed decisions on where works are needed most.

We also undertook important work to maintain or improve the State’s marine infrastructure. The $20 million South Australian Jetties Renewal Program was established to improve the condition and sustainability of the State’s jetties and wharves – assets that are often the lifeblood of their local regional communities.

The new O’Sullivan Beach Boat Ramp was completed and opened to the public, and refurbishments of the Beachport and Southend jetties on the Limestone Coast were also completed.

Major works commenced on the $73 million Cape Jervis and Kangaroo Island Ports Upgrade, to support economic growth in these regions and deliver improved essential transport services.

Importantly for the transport industry, we also delivered the Freight and Supply Chain Strategy for South Australia, providing a vision for a commercial freight and supply chain network that is safe, productive and sustainable.

Through our commitment to sustainable transport and infrastructure, the Department contributed to the development of national carbon values, resources and policies to drive decarbonisation of transport and infrastructure.

We continue to develop active travel options by delivering targeted improvements to cycling facilities on local roads (through the State Bicycle Fund) and arterial roads (through the National Road Safety Programs).

During the year we also reached important milestones in our delivery of social infrastructure on behalf of other State Agencies.

Work continued on the new Mount Barker Hospital, the Noarlunga Hospital, Modbury Hospital Health Precinct, 48 sub-acute beds at Lyell McEwan Hospital, the Flinders Medical Centre upgrade and expansion, and various mental health facility projects. Construction of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Redevelopment Stage 3 (Clinical Services Building) was completed, as were new South Australian Ambulance Service stations at Port Augusta, Norwood and Woodville.

School upgrades across the State included completion of the Adelaide Botanic High School extension, continued construction of the new Morialta Secondary College, and completion of the Findon Technical College.

Major work commenced on the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre, to replace the outdated facility. This $135 million project will provide South Australians with a world‑class aquatic health and wellbeing centre featuring water slides, splash zones and outdoor spaces.

An upgrade of the Thebarton Aquatic Centre began and neared completion, and works on the South Australian Sports Institute also progressed.

The State Government provided $15 million funding (matching the Federal Government’s own $15 million commitment) towards the Adelaide Football Club’s new Thebarton Oval precinct. This will ensure its recreation and sport facilities are open for public access and support the growth of women’s football. The funding will help create new training facilities at Thebarton Oval for the club’s three teams (AFL, AFLW and SANFL) and it will become the venue for its AFLW home games.

The first stage of the long-awaited Coast Park Shared Use Path was completed, providing greater community access to the coastline between Semaphore Park and West Lakes Shore. The new path stretches 1.3 kilometres between Third Avenue, Semaphore Park and Wara Wayingga-Tennyson Dunes Conservation Reserve. Walkers, joggers, cyclists and families can now enjoy more of the picturesque coastline, and take advantage of new shelters, benches and picnic areas.

Critical to all of our work this year has been a continued strong focus on community engagement.

Throughout the year the Department engaged with more than 19,000 people. Key engagement included assisting thousands of Adelaide Aquatic Centre users with their relocation to alternative venues, and seeking important insights on a range of strategies including the Kangaroo Island and Fleurieu Peninsula Transport Study, Northern Adelaide Transport Study, and Harbour Master Plans.

The Department also sought feedback from community and key stakeholders for critical infrastructure projects such as River Torrens to Darlington, Tram Grade Separation Projects, Adelaide Hills Productivity and Road Safety Program, Majors Road Interchange and Main South Road Duplication.

In public transport, the Department continued to progress the return of train and tram operations back into public hands, which will occur in 2025.

The $43.5 million Tea Tree Plaza Park ’n’ Ride was completed, increasing the number of Park ‘n’ Ride spaces available to approximately 1,200 and making it even easier for people in the north-eastern suburbs to use public transport. Work also neared completion on the $6 million upgrade of the Crafers Park ‘n’ Ride.

Construction continued on the $51 million Port Dock Rail Line Project, to return rail services to the heart of Port Adelaide. Station upgrades commenced at Clarence Park, Nurlutta, West Croydon and Ethelton railway stations. Noarlunga Railway Station amenity and security upgrades were completed, including the installation of new escalators.

Further adding to convenience for public transport customers, the Buy and Go App was released and Tap and Pay options were expanded across our buses.

Stage One of a commitment to provide additional public transport services into the Adelaide Hills was introduced, delivering a 15-minute service during the weekday interpeak period between Mount Barker and the City and additional services on Sundays.

In line with our strong commitment to road safety and ease of travel for all South Australians, we continue to provide free public transport to a number of large events throughout the year.

This year saw the introduction to the first fleet of zero emissions buses and hybrid diesel trains. With the purchase of an extra 16 new hybrid buses to be rolled out across the Adelaide Metro network over the next three years, supporting Riverbanks College, Aldinga Payinthi College and Morialta Secondary College.

We’re also continuing to strive towards a cleaner, greener public transport network, with a business case being developed to transition the metropolitan bus fleet to zero emissions by 2040.

Service SA continued to deliver vital services across the State. New number plate styles were introduced – including Koala State and Japanese special number plates – allowing drivers to customise their vehicles.

Among important legislation enacted over the year was the introduction of the U Class Licence for drivers of ultra-high-powered vehicles, which will ensure that drivers of these cars comply with specific training and other requirements.

Thirteen mobile phone detection cameras were installed at five priority locations across Adelaide, to reduce crashes on the road as a result of distracted drivers. We also continued to promote road safety through initiatives such as THINK! Road Safety partnerships and the On The Right Track program.

A number of access taxi initiatives were introduced to benefit both drivers as well as people with disability who rely on the service. The $25 lifting fee was expanded to people who are not a South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme member. Also, the maximum age limit for metropolitan access taxis was extended to 12 years, acknowledging the significant costs associated to set up an accessible vehicle in comparison to a standard taxi.

Throughout the year, the Department continued to focus on being a responsible leader in our approach to employment and equity as a proud ‘We’re Equal’ employer. This important program identifies businesses and organisations committed to treating everyone equally, regardless of their age, ability, gender diversity, sexuality, relationship and reproductive status, race, religion, and culture.

We’re also proud of our work to continue to deliver and develop our Reconciliation Action Plan and have high hopes of becoming the first government department to achieve the ‘Elevate’ Reconciliation Action Plan level, which is the highest commitment within the Reconciliation Action Plan framework.

I thank all of our staff and key partners not only for the outstanding work they have delivered over the past year but also for the spirit in which they have collaborated to achieve outstanding results.

Together, we remain committed to continuing to deliver South Australia’s multi-billion dollar pipeline of infrastructure investment, while implementing key reforms, supporting the continued growth of the South Australian economy and the social wellbeing of our communities.

Jon Whelan

Chief Executive

Department for Infrastructure and Transport