RAA has released its state election platform, outlining a vision to support South Australia’s population and housing growth through investment in infrastructure and services that improve the state’s liveability. 

With South Australia’s population set to eclipse two million within the next five years, RAA has put forward a suite of over 30 projects and recommendations to support growth by improving infrastructure and services.

Top 10 recommendations include:

Housing Growth Transport Infrastructure Package to deliver:​​​​

• A blueprint to expand rail to the north and south of Adelaide – extending the Gawler and Seaford lines.
• A third lane on Main South Road between the Southern Expressway and Onkaparinga River.
• A third lane on Main North Road between Montague Road and Kesters Road.
• Duplicating Curtis Road.
• An overpass at the intersection of Port Wakefield Highway and Riverlea Boulevard.
• Expand on-demand bus services in outer suburbs and regional centres.
• A third lane on the South Eastern Freeway from Crafers to Verdun.

Secure full funding to progress the Adelaide Hills Freight Bypass to get more trucks out of metropolitan Adelaide,

Plan and commit funding to duplicate key sections of the Augusta Highway, Sturt Highway and Dukes Highway, and,

Address the road maintenance backlog through a $1 billion fund over four years. 

​​​Chief Executive Officer Nick Reade says the RAA state election platform is a blueprint for South Australia to achieve growth without gridlock and drive a state that is safe, sustainable and liveable.

“South Australia’s population is climbing towards two million people and we’re seeing an explosion of new housing to support that,” he says.

“That growth is great for our economy, great for jobs and great for our state – but it has to be supported by investment in infrastructure and services.

“If we don’t make that investment simultaneously, we run the risk of ending up with gridlock and compromising our state’s liveability which has always been one of best things about South Australia.

“We believe we can have growth without gridlock – that’s the blueprint we’ve set out in our election platform.

“We’ve outlined a plan to expand rail services and future-proof our road network to support the high growth areas – particularly north and south of Adelaide, as well as the Adelaide Hills.”

Mr Reade says RAA acknowledges the state government is undertaking a record infrastructure program, centred around the completion of the North-South Corridor and level crossing removals. 

“While we fully support the Torrens to Darlington project and understand it’s absorbing a large portion of the infrastructure funding at the moment – there are many other projects we desperately need to support growth around the state,” he says.

“We need to think beyond today and create a pipeline of projects ready to roll, positioning our state not just for tomorrow, but for the decades ahead.”