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Provide Infrastructure

Provide the infrastructure to help South Australia reach its social and economic potential

The department launched a major project to upgrade 210 km of main access road between the Stuart Highway and Pukatja (Ernabella) in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, as well as about 21 km of community access roads in Pukatja, Umuwa, Kaltjiti (Fregon), Mimili and Iwantja (Indulkana).

The jointly funded State-Commonwealth project aims to close the gap in essential infrastructure and services between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, in keeping with a national objective to increase the economic standard of living for all Australians.

It also aims for sustainable employment outcomes for local Anangu, with a 30 per cent minimum target (of total on-site labour hours) for Anangu living in APY Lands communities. Over its lifetime, it is anticipated the project will support 75 jobs for Anangu and a total of 250 jobs (including direct and supply chain jobs) for both Anangu and non Anangu. Construction between the Stuart Highway and Iwantja will begin in September 2015, and between Pukatja and Umuwa in early 2016. Works on the Pukatja Airstrip Access Road were underway by 30 June 2015.

The Kangaroo Island Futures Authority (KIFA) progressed its agenda to improve the management, co-ordination and delivery of government infrastructure and services to Kangaroo Island (KI) and stimulate local business growth and investment.

KIFA, which has been hosted and supported by the department, assisted:

  • Kangaroo Island Council’s application to the National Stronger Regions funding program for an upgrade of the Kingscote Airport enabling it to take larger planes and attract more international and domestic visitors
  • a Council-backed proposal by SA Power Networks for the 2015-20 regulatory period which included a $42.5m investment to install a second undersea electricity cable to the Island; in its preliminary decision, the Australian Energy Regulator accepted, with some qualification, the need to address KI’s security of electricity supply
  • establishment of a new Kangaroo Island brand for local businesses, products and services and an industry alliance to promote it to Australia and the world
  • a successful bid to host the International Small Islands Conference in 2017.

KIFA has been superseded by the Commissioner for Kangaroo Island, established under legislation, who will continue the work of the Authority and its Board under a new governance model.

The department also facilitated the completion of several aviation projects in regional areas, including:

  • airstrip works at Amata, Murpatja, Mimili, Umuwa, Ernabella, Oak Valley, Kingoonya and Marree, through the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program, to improve access for emergency services such as the Royal Flying Doctors and travellers to remote communities
  • runway widening at the Coober Pedy airport to allow continuation of Passenger Transport Services under new Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations
  • Airport Master Planning and development of draft master plans for 19 regional airports.

Restoration of the Grange Jetty was completed, including new shelter, jetty deck, handrails, structural timber elements, steel piles and lighting. The upgrade ensures the jetty’s long-term structural integrity and continued use by the public for many years to come.

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