TONY PASIN MP
MEMBER FOR BARKER
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT
Vincent Tarzia MP
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
ASHTON HURN MP
Member for Schubert
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH
MEDIA RELEASE
TRURO FREIGHT ROUTE FALLS SHORT
Federal Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP has expressed concern to State Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis that the $202 million Truro Freight Route will not be constructed as a dual lane highway.
Mr Pasin said that it was disappointing enough that the project was delayed and was now a full 12 months behind schedule.
“Work was originally scheduled to begin in late 2022 but is now not expected to being until the fourth quarter of 2023,” Mr Pasin said.
“I’m also incredibly disappointed that the design does not incorporate a dual lane carriageway as the Truro Freight Route will form an important part of the Sturt Highway corridor.”
Mr Pasin has been calling for the duplication of the Sturt and Dukes Highway’s as major freight routes connecting Adelaide with Sydney and Melbourne and important to South Australia’s economic growth.
“It beggars belief that the South Australian Government would spend so much time consulting with community on a $202 million project only to end up with such a short term vision. If it’s important to get the Torrens to Darlington section of the North South Corridor right the first time, then it’s important to get any upgrades to Sturt Highway done right too,” Mr Pasin said.
Mr Pasin also said that community consultation had fallen on deaf ears in relation to the entrance and exit on to the Sturt Highway from Truro township, the condition and maintenance of the current road surface and changing the project name.
State Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Vincent Tarzia said the Malinauskas Labor Government’s handling of the Truro Freight Route has been short-sighted.
“Tom Koutsantonis is fast becoming known as the Minister for delays and the Truro Freight Route is yet another example of why,” Mr Tarzia said.
“Not only is it disappointing that this project has been delayed for a year, but Labor isn’t thinking ahead and future proofing it by including a dual lane carriageway.
“Labor has already overseen massive delays to the state’s biggest infrastructure projects – the North-South Corridor and the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital – South Australians must be right now shaking their heads and asking themselves ‘what’s next?’”
Member for Schubert Ashton Hurn said while there is certainly broad support for this project, local residents and businesses just want to see some common sense adjustments made.
“Truro locals want to see heavy vehicles off the main street, but they don’t want people simply ‘bypassing’ their town, that’s why we are pushing for a simple name change to ‘Truro Freight Route.’
“The Truro Freight Route has the broad support from local residents, but they want to see it carried out in a way that’s fit for generations to come and takes on board community feedback.
“Farmers, business and locals will all be impacted in one way or another by this project – and we need to see it built right the first time.”
Media Contact: Charlotte Edmunds 8724 7730
