Infrastructure and Public Transport

As a regional and rural electorate, the Mayo community has many unmet infrastructure needs, and public transport to many areas remains limited. I have been working hard with all levels of government to fund and develop our public infrastructure.

This means:

• Relentlessly pressing the Federal Government to reinstate much-needed Supplementary Road Funding for South Australia
• Expanding public transport services throughout Mayo, but especially bus services to the south coast of the Fleurieu and Strathalbyn
• Securing funding for major improvements to Victor Harbor Road and Main South Road
• Advocating for lower sea freight costs (and other assistance with cost of living) for Kangaroo Island
• Advancing plans to extend the railway line from Seaford to Aldinga
• Continuing to upgrade the South Eastern Freeway by securing $15M for a solution to the Verdun interchange
  
• Advocating for additional investment in community facilities and infrastructure across the electorate

Supplementary Road Funding

South Australia has 11% of Australia’s identified local roads and 7% of its population, but only receives 5.5% of Federal local roads funding. To account for this inequity, South Australia used to receive Supplementary Road Funding from the Federal Government.

However, in 2014, the Abbott Government cut this funding, shifting the burden onto our local councils. South Australia now has some of the worst kept roads in the country. I and my Centre Alliance colleagues successfully negotiated the restoration of this funding for four financial years, up to and including the 2020/21 financial year, but the Federal Government has yet to make a permanent commitment to restore South Australia's funding. I will continue to fight for the permanent restoration of funding for Mayo and South Australian local roads.

Results:

• Successfully negotiated the promise of continued funding for Supplementary Road Funding for South Australia, of $40 million for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 Budgets ($20 million each financial year), which will provide another estimated $4.6 million for local councils in Mayo
• Successfully negotiated the reinstatement of $40 million of Supplementary Road Funding for South Australia in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 Budgets ($20 million each financial year), providing over $4.6 million for local councils in Mayo

South coast bus services

Even before being elected, I recognised that the large populations across the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula face major problems with a lack of public transport services. After being elected, I undertook a public campaign and consultation process and negotiated directly with the State Government on the needs of our communities.

Results:

• Undertook broad public consultation and provided detailed findings to the former State Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
• Negotiated with the then State Government to dramatically improve the regularity and interconnection of south coast bus services between Goolwa, Middleton, Port Elliot, Victor Harbor, Mount Compass, and metropolitan Adelaide, especially for weekday commuters

Victor Harbor Road and Main South Road

Victor Harbor Road and Main South Road are arterial roads from southern metropolitan Adelaide to the Fleurieu Peninsula and need to be further upgraded. I welcome the Main South Road upgrades announced and being delivered by State Government, although some infrastructure design issues still remain unresolved. I have called on the State Government to undertake a feasibility study on upgrading Victor Harbor Road to double-lanes, but am also actively encouraging the State Government to act now to improve safety of one of South Australia's most accident-prone roads.

Results:

• Secured a commitment from the Federal Government that they would consider co-funding a duplication of Victor Harbor Road if the State Government were to put forward a business case with cost estimates

Addressing freight costs and high cost of living for Kangaroo Island

The costs of living on Kangaroo Island are high, and one of the main reasons is due to the high freight costs across the 'watergap'. High freight costs also affect Islanders seeking to ship their products - whether by water or by air - to off-Island markets.

The current contract between the State Government and Sealink is up for renewal in 2024 and will provide the best opportunity to secure a better deal on freight for the Island. However, I am committed to exploring other options that lead to a reduction in the cost of getting freight off the Island, or otherwise compensate Islanders for their unavoidably high cost of living. For example, I have long campaigned for a Zone Tax Offset which would help compensate Islanders for the challenges they face in being so remote.

Results:

• Successfully secured a Productivity Commission review into tax relief for remote communities, including offshore islands such as Kangaroo Island

Upgrading the South Eastern Freeway

The South Eastern Freeway is becoming increasingly busy from freight and commuters, with freight between South Australia and the eastern States expected to double within the next 20 years. A long-term plan that continually upgrades this arterial road is thus absolutely critical. The next step is to deliver on the repeated promise from State and Federal Government for a third sliplane between Crafers and Stirling.

Results:

• Secured a commitment from the Deputy Prime Minister to commence and complete an effective third lane on the SE Freeway between Crafers and Stirling