The Civil Contractors Federation (South Australia) has welcomed the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery Budget and described it as a very impressive suite of stimulus measures bound to have a positive effect on the circumstances of many South Australians, businesses in South Australia and the State.

The Civil Contractors Federation (SA) also is pleased to see A$1billion allocated to local councils nationally for road upgrades.

Welcome also is the announcement of A$2 billion for new water infrastructure to support regional communities and jobs.

Federation Chief Executive, Mr Phil Sutherland, said however, that when it came to the cash contribution of $625 million towards SA’s road infrastructure, more could have been allocated from the national roads budget of $10 billion.

“While $625 million is a great deal of money, when compared with the estimated $800 million back log of road maintenance in SA, it will not make much of a dent in the SA’s road network,” Mr Sutherland said.

“Its been described as an economic recovery budget but at least half of the $625 million destined for SA road projects are not shovel ready - with construction likely to be two or three or more years away.

“While SA is to share in the $2 billion road safety funding program, it is of concern, given the slow pace of the SA Department of Infrastructure and Transport bringing projects to the market, that the money is available on a use-it or lose-it basis.

“The CCF (SA) hopes this provides the Department with the sense of urgency required.

“The South Australian Government must bring forward the shovel ready projects now.

“It is crucial we do not drag our feet on this,” Mr  Sutherland said.

 “The $1 billion allocated to local councils for road maintenance is another excellent way to stimulate the economy instantly, with most councils in South Australia having shovel ready projects on the back burner waiting for funding,” he said.

The South Australian road projects receiving funding priority in the Budget, are as follows:

South Australia

New Projects

Project	Federal Funding	Total Cost
Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrade	$200 million	$250 million
Main South Road Duplication Stage 2 - Aldinga to Sellicks Beach	$136 million	$170 million
South Eastern Freeway Safety Upgrade	$28 million	$35 million
Strzelecki Track Upgrade	$100 million	$125 million
Victor Harbor Road Upgrade	$12 million	$12 million
Princes Highway Corridor Funding Allocations
Princes Highway Corridor - Intersection Improvements	$40 million	$50 million
Princes Highway Corridor - Overtaking Lanes	$28.8 million	$36 million
Princes Highway Corridor - Pavement Works	$45.6 million	$57 million
Princes Highway Corridor - Pavement Works	$4 million	$5 million
Princes Highway Corridor - Safety and Signage Improvements	$10.4 million	$13 million
Princes Highway Corridor - Shoulder Sealing	$7.2 million	$9 million
Subtotal	$612 million	$762 million