Brendan Simpkins

COMPLETION of the Gawler Rail Line has been delayed following revelations the cost of the electrification project has blown out by $100 million.

The electrification of the Gawler line has been in the pipeline for more than a decade, with works commencing in October last year.

A full closure of the line from Adelaide to Gawler was due to commence on Boxing Day and re-open in January, however has now been extended for an additional three months to April.

The line will then open in stages, with the Adelaide to Mawson Lakes section opening at the end of April and the section to Salisbury opening in July.

It is expected the line will be fully operational in late 2021, however a set date is yet to be announced.

Passengers who utilise the rail service will be provided with substitute buses but at full fare price.

Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas slammed the project delivery’s hold-up.
“This delay to the Gawler electrification project is a blow to thousands of train commuters who now face significant inconvenience to their daily lives for months to come,” he said.
“The very least the government can do is to provide some relief in the form of free substitute buses.
“Commuters shouldn’t have to pay the price for the Marshall Liberal Government’s mismanagement of this important project.”

Originally the project’s cost was $615 million after a funding agreement was struck between the State and Federal Governments.

The State Government had committed $395 million while a further $220 million was contributed by the Commonwealth.

That cost has now blown out to $715 million.

Minister for transport Corey Wingard laid blame at the feet of the Labour Party, stating that planning work was insufficient when the contract was signed.

Lendlease, now Acciona, was awarded the contract for the Gawler Line Electrification Project in January 2018 by the previous Labor government.

Member for Light Tony Piccolo said train users were “abandoning” public transport due to the damage caused by the current State Government.

“While some disruption during the electrification of the train was reasonably expected, the government has mismanaged the project so badly that people are deserting the service,” he said.

“The substitute services have been inadequate, with those people who have alternatives, taking them, causing congestion on our roads.

“The Gawler Railway Station carpark is normally full by 9am on a weekday, but when I went there (Monday) at lunchtime it was virtually empty.”

A partial closure of the line to Salisbury has been in place since October 12, with substitute buses transporting commuters between the Adelaide and Salisbury interchange.

Mr Piccolo said for many people, public transport is essential as they have no alternative.

“Public transport is also a question of equity, ensuring that people can fully participate in the community,” he said.

“The time has come for the substitute bus service to be free, to encourage people back onto the service, and to help those who cannot afford an alternative.

“This Liberal Government has demonstrated a distinct indifference to the needs of people in Gawler and Northern Suburbs of Adelaide.”

Kelois Downer was awarded the billion-dollar contract to operate the Adelaide rail network in September this year.

The rail operator was due to take over operations from January 31, 2021 but that has been delayed, with the rail commissioner maintaining responsibility.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union (SA/NT) secretary Darren Phillips said rail workers were confused about what the delay meant for their immediate future.

“The privatisation process has been extremely stressful for workers, who feel that they are being treated with contempt by the State Government,” he said.

“Despite the Government’s promises, privatisation will come at the cost of 132 jobs – at a time when every single job in the state is priceless.

“There is never a good time to privatise essential services, but doing it in the middle of a jobs crisis is economic vandalism.

“The transition to the new operator has become a dog’s breakfast, and Premier Steven Marshall must step in and end this fiasco before it gets any worse.”