Feature
Issue No. 44 - December/January 2008
Infrastructure spend brings benefits
The massive rollout of new transport infrastructure projects across South Australia promises to bring with it a range of long-term economic, social and environmental benefits.
SA needs a transport system that works well as the basis for a strong and prosperous economy. Whether moving goods or employees, business needs to have confidence in a transport network that is up to world standard - fast, robust, of maximum efficiency. In planning the new transport infrastructure the State Government aims to free up traffic bottlenecks and take the noise and pollution of heavy vehicles away from residential areas.
Another priority is to encourage commuters to travel en masse to work and social destinations using a sustainable public transport network. Planning is proceeding with the idea that good public transport invigorates local economies, sustains social networks, moves cars off the roads and provides the basis for Adelaide to become the most sustainable and liveable city in Australia.
Freight routes carry SA’s business lifeblood to and from interstate and overseas markets. Port facilities that can handle incoming and outgoing goods of all sizes and volumes quickly are essential to avoid delays. The SA Government’s investment in this areas is unprecedented and elements in SA’s Strategic Infrastructure Plan are being fast-tracked to transform Adelaide into “Australia’s most liveable and sustainable city”.
SA businesses are already benefiting from the transport infrastructure boom with local companies taking part in consortia undertaking several construction contracts, such as York Civil (in the Fulton Hogan York Civil Joint Venture on the Northern Expressway) and local company e*3 (in the BDMe*3 consortium for the Port Wakefield Road upgrade).
Benefits for local business should continue for decades, extending from the infrastructure works themselves and from transport efficiency benefits.
Strategic Infrastructure Plan ...
