[U/C] Port Adelaide Dock Spur Line

[how good is he]

Didn't the former Labour Govt sign a contract for it to be built? If so, how can it just be cancelled? So was there no set price in the contract? Or was it under-estimated and by whom? If so, shouldn't they be liable? I get that its all subject to final design etc etc but how can they be out by so much [more than double] from $16m to $40m?

[Llessur2002]

Rail extension to heart of Port Adelaide in doubt due to cost blowout

A planned rail spur to the heart of Port Adelaide has been delayed after a detailed review found it would go $24 million over budget.

The State Government will instead conduct a study into public transport options in the northwestern suburbs that might suggest a cheaper option — such as a bus interchange.

The previous Labor government budgeted $16 million in 2017 for an extension of the Port Adelaide train line to Port Dock Station, opposite the new $168 million Dock One housing development.

It awarded a contract for the project to construction firms McConnell Dowell, Mott MacDonald and Arup in January 2018.

However, a new study into the project has found it would go well over budget and cost $40 million.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said the original funding was provided without any planning and the Government had identified other possible ways to improve public transport in Port Adelaide and the northwestern suburbs.

The study would also investigate “enhanced land use” in the district.

“A responsible State Government needs to assess if this significant increase in expenditure will deliver the best public transport solution for the people of Port Adelaide and surrounding areas,” Mr Knoll said.

“That’s why we will undertake a comprehensive study for the north western area, so we get this right.”

Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Claire Boan said the council and locals “definitely wanted” the spur line.

Nearby businesses and developers had expected it to increase visitor numbers.

“I brought to the minister’s attention that Starfish (Developments) and Pirate Life Brewing have been looking forward to this spur line going in,” Mrs Boan said.

“We’re glad a plan will be in place but in the short-term consideration this isn’t what we were expecting.

“We really do hope this process will happen as quick as possible.”

Port Adelaide Labor MP Susan Close hit out at the project delay and claimed it was part of a “war on public transport”.

“This news is devastating for the Port — for every business that invested on the understanding that the train was coming, for the museums, and for the residents,” Ms Close said.

“This government has taken every opportunity to betray Port Adelaide whether it’s tearing down our heritage, wrecking our public transport or letting down businesses by promising one thing and doing another.”

Trains to the centre of Port Adelaide stopped in 1981.

The station was demolished in 1989 to make way for the Port Adelaide police station.

The current railway station is about 1km from the centre of the business district.

From: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenge ... 03f29269c4

[PeFe]

[Nathan]

Oh for fucks sake...

[Kasey771]

Oh for fucks sake...

Couldn’t have said it better myself. I guess we should’ve known.. elect the liberals. Forget meaningful investment in PT for the term of govt.


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[baytram366]

Oh joy. Yet another waste of money planning study. I really feel for the railway museum having to sell rollingstock, clear space and cut their access to the mainline all, for now, no good reason. And not to mention all the time wasted by volunteers to liaise with government officials to discuss the project.

[SRW]

It'd be interesting to see what the cost breakdowns are for this supposed budget blowout. What works are now anticipated to cost more than double the initial contract?

[Llessur2002]

Absolutely none I imagine. Just a convenient way of canning the project and forcing people on to road-based transport solutions.

Hopefully the Port developers will push back on this one...

[NTRabbit]

Progressing through these has identified potential opportunities to further improve public transport services and connectivity for Port Adelaide and more broadly, the north western suburbs.

And you can bet your bottom dollar that these 'improvements' will involve a shitty bus service.

A shitty bus on demand service more like

[Llessur2002]

Progressing through these has identified potential opportunities to further improve public transport services and connectivity for Port Adelaide and more broadly, the north western suburbs.

And you can bet your bottom dollar that these 'improvements' will involve a shitty bus service.

A shitty bus on demand service more like

I was thinking along those lines - an on demand minibus service from to the existing station maybe? Place your bets now...

[omada]

Very disappointing.. I thought there was meant to be GOOD NEWS in the state budget for Public Transport.

[Nort]

Very disappointing.. I thought there was meant to be GOOD NEWS in the state budget for Public Transport.

From the Libs perspective good news about public transport is any dollar not spent on transport for the plebs.

[Waewick]

How did the plan get funding allocated if it was not costed?

This is a 2 or 3 year old project? Or was it just an election promise thought bubble that was never truely costed?

A bit like all those tram links that were clearly a fantasy.

[Honey of a City]

It was only a few weeks ago that PTPA held a widely publicised public information event on this project at the neighbouring Railway Museum. All gung ho sausage sizzle train rides kids activities the works. Suddenly it’s been pulled because they’ve only just discovered it’s too expensive? Really? They blame a previous government but they’ve been in control of this project for well over a year and its costing has only just been noticed? Something doesn’t add up here. As for the great “North Western Planning Study” - why did they scrap local bus services very recently if there was going to be a ‘study’? All very fishy. Local anger over this is white hot.

[ChillyPhilly]

The tender was awarded and signed, and construction should have started by now.

Typical Liberal Government.