Ahead of schedule on SA constraints relaxation project

Minister for Resources and Water, Keith Pitt, and South Australian Minister for the Environment and Water, David Speirs, are getting on with the job of upgrading roads, bridges and other infrastructure down the River Murray.

Minister Pitt is making nearly $20 million available to the South Australian Government to bring forward the planning and delivery of some on-ground construction work to ensure road access is maintained to hundreds of properties that could otherwise be cut off by high water levels in the Murray.

“South Australia has been getting on with the job and is ready to move from scoping projects into delivering them”, Minister Pitt said.

“The $19.69 million we’re fast tracking will allow construction to start on a range of new river crossings, raising up to 5.3 kilometres of roads and tracks as well as improving connectivity with up to 3,400 hectares of floodplains.

“The work will also provide community amenities like boat ramps, toilets and barbecues as well as stabilising up to 1.6 kilometres of riverbank.

“The South Australian Constraints Early Works Program shows just what we can achieve when we put communities at the centre – we can respond ahead of time, we can provide jobs and economic stimulus and we can deliver infrastructure that will benefit communities in times of flood.”

Minister Speirs said South Australians knew that to keep floodplains healthy they needed a drink now and again.

“We’re looking to deliver a quadruple bottom line program – delivering social, economic, cultural and environmental benefits through these works,” Minister Speirs said.

“This early works program is a down payment on a larger package of measures we will be working with the Commonwealth to deliver ahead of June 2024 on South Australia’s constraints project.”

Local Member for Barker, Tony Pasin MP said this was great news for communities and would bolster the Riverland economies right across Barker.

“With works happening up and down the River Murray including potential clusters of work at Berri, Morgan and Swan Reach. This will mean upgraded infrastructure and jobs on the ground providing a much-needed economic boost into the local communities,” Mr Pasin said.

ENDS