The South Australian Government must immediately fast track key infrastructure projects to bolster the local economy, the State’s civil construction contractors lobby group said today.

Civil Contractors Federation (SA Branch) Chief Executive Officer Phil Sutherland made the plea at the South Australian Major Projects Conference in Adelaide.

“The chasm between major infrastructure projects nearing completion in Adelaide (new RAH, Adelaide Oval redevelopment, South Road Superway, Southern Expressway, etc) and new projects announced in the State Budget – but not yet commenced – is already akin to the Marinna Trench – the deepest part of the ocean,” Sutherland said.

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“That great divide needs to be quickly closed otherwise more local civil construction firms will collapse – causing further jobs losses – and more will join the exodus of firms leaving the state.

“And while public investment in transport and other infrastructure is welcomed by the industry as a whole, the majority of contracts relating to some of the ‘big’ projects of late were not always administered in a way that allowed local contractors – of all sizes – access to that work.

"“The issue to hand isn’t how much is invested, but how it is invested.”"

Sutherland said the appointment of the Industry Participation Advocate, Ian Nightingale, was a welcome development for the Federation.

The CCF also backed the appointment of well-respected public servant, Rod Hook, as the SA Government’s Co-ordinator General to fast track its substantial investment in affordable housing.

“The SA Government is to be applauded for both these appointments – so that sins of the past are not repeated in the next wave of major infrastructure and affordable housing projects,” Sutherland said.

“In addition to strengthening South Australia’s local  civil construction capacity, it is critical that the potential of the projects to stimulate economic activity, drive local investment, and develop strong value chains from the state’s procurement spend is maximized.

“This is a model that could be applied to other infrastructure projects. The sooner the work announced in the State Budget comes on stream, the better.”