Liberals plan to scrap tram extension & Port River Bridg
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 4:26 pm
We'll bring tram, bridge contracts back to table
By LAURA ANDERSON
28dec05
THE Liberal Party will move to renegotiate contracts on the State Government's tram extension and Port River opening bridges if elected in March.
Opposition Leader Rob Kerin said funds for the $21 million tram extension down King William St and the $178 million opening of road and rail bridges over the Port River could be better spent.
When questioned whether the Liberal Party would scrap the two proposals, Mr Kerin said "if we could, we would".
"You can always renegotiate," he said yesterday. "For example, what can you save if you make these closed bridges?
"That money could go back into roads." However, he said the Liberal Party would not break any contracts already entered into.
Mr Kerin said a Liberal Government would put road safety ahead of "stunt-driven headlines".
"Good roads might not deliver a big headline but they mean safer travel and more cost-efficient transport for South Australian industry," he said.
Transport Minister Patrick Conlon said "we have heard all of this before from the Opposition".
"Let us just remember next year we will spend $266 million on road infrastructure, compared with the $129 million they spent in 2001-02," he said.
Mr Kerin said the State Government had neglected roads, with almost $200 million in backlog maintenance across the state. He said there needed to be a "substantial" increase in road funding, naming the Victor Harbor Rd and the road to Cape Jervis as two roads in urgent need of further funding.
Mr Kerin said a Liberal Government would also not support flagged extensions to the Glenelg tramline to Port Adelaide and the city's West End.
By LAURA ANDERSON
28dec05
THE Liberal Party will move to renegotiate contracts on the State Government's tram extension and Port River opening bridges if elected in March.
Opposition Leader Rob Kerin said funds for the $21 million tram extension down King William St and the $178 million opening of road and rail bridges over the Port River could be better spent.
When questioned whether the Liberal Party would scrap the two proposals, Mr Kerin said "if we could, we would".
"You can always renegotiate," he said yesterday. "For example, what can you save if you make these closed bridges?
"That money could go back into roads." However, he said the Liberal Party would not break any contracts already entered into.
Mr Kerin said a Liberal Government would put road safety ahead of "stunt-driven headlines".
"Good roads might not deliver a big headline but they mean safer travel and more cost-efficient transport for South Australian industry," he said.
Transport Minister Patrick Conlon said "we have heard all of this before from the Opposition".
"Let us just remember next year we will spend $266 million on road infrastructure, compared with the $129 million they spent in 2001-02," he said.
Mr Kerin said the State Government had neglected roads, with almost $200 million in backlog maintenance across the state. He said there needed to be a "substantial" increase in road funding, naming the Victor Harbor Rd and the road to Cape Jervis as two roads in urgent need of further funding.
Mr Kerin said a Liberal Government would also not support flagged extensions to the Glenelg tramline to Port Adelaide and the city's West End.