A new $1.5 billion Australian Government infrastructure package will provide an immediate injection into the economy and bring jobs back online to help stem the impact of COVID-19.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said he is very pleased the Government has shown its ongoing commitment to the nation’s road network with this announcement.
“Every single job we can create by bringing forward road improvement work makes a huge difference in our local communities as we navigate out of the pandemic,” he said.
“Getting shovels in the ground not only supports the directly employed workers, it has spin-off benefits to overall economic recovery and jobs in the supply line.
“This announcement includes $41.6m for shoulder sealing and safety enhancements which will benefit the freight industry and general road users in regional communities across SA.
“Like many recent transport agreements the money is supplied on an 80:20 basis with the state contributing $10.4m and will improve road safety on the Stuart Highway in the Far North and the Yorke Highway on the Yorke Peninsula in Grey.
“In a separate announcement, $4.8m has also been allocated for the Adventure Way, to seal the 26km of road from Innamincka to the Qld border.
“Combined with the State Government announcement from just a couple of days ago to seal 50km of the Strzelecki Track, this means we now have committment to seal the first 76km of the 484km of unsealed road between Lyndhurst and the Queensland border.
“It is a very exciting advance and an clear indication of both governments’ intent.”
“This is great news for the north of the State and will increase accessibility for tourism, mining and agriculture.
“These types of infrastructure projects, particularly crucial for helping us bounce back after the COVID-19 also ensure we have the safe transport connections needed for all Australians.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the new package would fund shovel-ready infrastructure projects that can support local jobs immediately.“This funding will deliver critical infrastructure projects right across the country to help keep construction businesses running and people in jobs,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.“$1 billion of this package will fund projects that can get underway now and over the next six months, to give an immediate boost to the economy and local jobs – right at the time we need it.
“We will work together with the states and territories to deliver these job-creating priority projects, building on our unprecedented cooperation to date through the National Cabinet of States and Territories.”
“The package also includes a $500 million Targeted Road Safety Works initiative for states and territories to deliver smaller but critical projects to improve road safety and bolster the resilience of our local road networks.
“The Government has already announced $500 million for local governments to support projects such as road safety improvements, maintaining community infrastructure and increasing accessibility.
“This is part of our $100 billion, 10-year infrastructure pipeline, which is laying the foundations of a financial bridge to recovery on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis.”
Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the $1.5 billion package, combined with the additional funding to local governments, is expected to support up to 12,000 direct and indirect jobs by creating new local opportunities and securing existing positions.
“This package will support thousands of jobs across our national construction sector, which we know is facing many challenges due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis,” Mr Tudge said.
“This includes local governments as well, who will receive funding to deliver targeted projects in their area.
“These types of infrastructure projects will be particularly crucial for helping us bounce back after the COVID-19 crisis has ended by ensuring we have the safe transport connections needed for all of Australia to keep moving.
“We will continue to work across governments and in partnership with industry to ensure the safety of all Australians while they deliver our pipeline of critical infrastructure projects.”
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 86331744 June 24, 2020
