THE State Government has rejected claims the completion of the Northern Connector will leave a jobs “valley of death” in the state, as workers prepare to move on from the four-year construction project.
Motorists will finally be able to drive along the $885 million Northern Connector from early next month, after the State Government held an ‘open day’ on the road on Sunday.
The project, launched under the former Labor State Government, created more than 600 jobs, with more than 50 per cent of the roles filled by northern suburbs residents and 90 per cent of on-site labour hours undertaken by South Australians.
The connector is one part of the long-touted North-South Corridor project, which will continue with the $354.3 million Regency to Pym upgrade at Croydon Park, which is expected to support 210 jobs.
Labor leader Peter Malinauskas said the completion of the Northern Connector project would leave a jobs “valley of death” in the state and worsen the state’s jobless rate, which is the highest in Australia.
“The investments of the former Labor Government, such as Northern Connector and Darlington, are coming to an end and unfortunately the Liberals at state and federal level are dropping the ball,” he said.
“We’re facing a jobs valley of death unless the Liberals step up and invest in jobs.
“Investing in infrastructure creates jobs and economic activity in the short term while boosting productivity and economic growth over the longer term.”
In response to Mr Malinauskas’ claims, transport and infrastructure minister Stephan Knoll said a list of construction works existed in the north for workers to transfer to, including the Gawler East Link Road and the Gawler Rail Electrification projects.
He said many workers from the Northern Connector would head to the Golden Grove Road upgrade project once the connector is open.
“The Marshall Government has $12.9 billion on the table and is building more infrastructure over the next four years than any other government has in South Australia’s history,” he said.
“We’re creating more construction jobs up north through the $615 million Gawler electrification project, the $20 million Golden Grove Road project and the Gawler East Link Road upgrade.
“Importantly, many workers finishing up on the Northern Connector projects will be moving to the Golden Grove Road project and other road upgrades across the state.”