South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas says the strategy is an important piece of work. Photo: Supplied.
South Australians are being encouraged to have their say on the infrastructure needed to drive the state’s economy and liveability into the future.
Infrastructure SA, the State Government’s independent infrastructure advisory body, has released a discussion paper inviting feedback as part of the development of the next 20-Year State Infrastructure Strategy.
The state’s first 20-year strategy was released by Infrastructure SA in 2020 and has been instrumental in guiding the South Australian Government with its public infrastructure investment decisions, which will reach $21 billion over the next four years.
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said his government was committed to making the investments that would deliver a better standard of living for all South Australians, for the long term, not just the next election cycle.
“That’s why we’ve committed to the biggest infrastructure pipeline in our state’s history, from our Hydrogen Jobs Plan, to a new Women’s and Children’s Hospital, to the Torrens to
Darlington project that will slash north-south travel times across our city,” he said.
“The 20-Year State Infrastructure Strategy is an important piece of work that will provide a state-wide perspective on future infrastructure decisions we will need to support South
Australia’s economic growth, liveability, and prosperity into the future.”
Infrastructure SA board chair Tony Shepherd said there were real opportunities to improve productivity and grow the economy.
“Infrastructure is the backbone of a productive economy,” he said.
“Our infrastructure needs to be well planned to maximise the value of our existing assets and to drive the state’s economic growth and liveability.”
Infrastructure SA chief executive Jeremy Conway said the discussion paper would be “foundational to the development of our next strategy”.
“Infrastructure SA is keen to understand the needs and views of industry and the community to shape the direction of the next 20-year infrastructure strategy, aligned with the vision of a
smart, sustainable, and inclusive economy,” he said.
The new strategy will look at state-wide infrastructure needs to 2045, with a focus on infrastructure planning and investments that drive a growing economy aligned to the state’s
economic vision of a smart, sustainable, and inclusive economy.
The discussion paper provides an overview of the state’s economic context, current megatrends and their implications for infrastructure, relevant data, and key issues and challenges that need to be consider in planning.
Feedback and responses will be used to inform the development of the strategy, which is due to be presented to the SA Government in late 2024. Submissions must be received by 13 November 2023.
To make a submission click here.
