6 minute read
THE FORECAST FOR CIVIL 2022-2026
WITH INFRASTRUCTURE MINISTER COREY WINGARD
DATE
3 March 2022 TIME
4:30pm – 7:30pm VENUE
The Gallery, Waymouth Street
At the same time, the Liberal party is worried about the excess spending Labor tends to indulge in.
The late afternoon event saw an audience who had come in earnest to hear what the future could hold for the civil construction industry. “We’re here to see what incentives are on offer,” said Rebecca Pickering, CEO of CCF SA. “There are Board Members present and Event Sponsor, MEH Plant & Equipment Hire.” She went on to introduce our special guest, Hon Minister Corey Wingard MP (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Recreation, Sport and Racing). MEH’s Business Manager, Andrew Linscott, gave a short speech, adding he was looking forward to hear about the state government's plans for the next four years, before talking about MEH ‘s superior products and the sort of customer service that offers the best attention and advice. The Minister touched on how the Liberal government has taken on initiatives and planned to build a better future for the state. With canapes and drinks flowing throughout the lively question time, it was clear many of the people present could not wait to be back on 10 March to hear what Tom Koutsantonis, MP (the Labor Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Mining and Energy, Government Accountability and Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Assembly) would have to counteroffer.
A big Thank You to MEH Plant & Equipment (Event Sponsor) for making the occasion a success!
THE INSIDE SCOOP
Having operated in the South Australian political arena and media jungle long enough, Corey Wingard is a familiar face, more so with the state election looming.* And since being promoted to the Infrastructure and Transport portfolio of the Liberal Government in mid-2020, his prominence has only grown, conversely to his receding hairline, which he is selfdeprecating of. Looking around and spotting familiar faces he has seen in industry settings, he thanked the people who have dived in to deliver infrastructure projects such as the Port Wakefield and Port Augusta Projects. We were reassured that he is talking to people in the industry about the projects they are working on, and told he reminds the treasurer every day about the $17.9 billion allocated to infrastructure investment (including better roads, hospitals, schools and community facilities over a 4-year period) that will open a pathway into the state’s future by building what matters. According to the Minister: 1 The current SA Budget includes around $8 billion in road infrastructure, and public transport, over 4 years. 1 There’re 6 new projects being released to grow the network across the state.
1 The key for the Liberals is to work with the federal government on some of the projects eg The Greater
Adelaide Bypass and The Stuart
Highway. 1 The long-term problem – there’s a backlog on road maintenance – will include targetting areas across the state like the ring route, and metropolitan spots like Springbank,
Magill, and around Portrush Road. In doing so, jobs will be created, and better services delivered close to home.
What about the Election? Wingard is confident with the momentum going the way it is – the party is leading. So confident it will double down and move forward sans handbrake to spend $5.4 million to address the critical requirement of additional recyclables processing capacity in the Southern Adelaide region.
promised the Minister. On COVID-19, Wingard pointed out there is a silver lining. Thanking South Aussies for the way they have worked through the pandemic, he expressed his pride with the way we have collaborated with industry and the health sector to respond and massage through the situation to leave the state in a good position. Confidence is high. The economy is fast growing. And there are opportunities for everyone. “We’re creating opportunities for people to thrive… and thrive.
“So, we can’t risk going back! We’re getting projects going – there’s a pipeline of them!
“Have a beer and a chat and thank you for coming. As far as infrastructure projects are concerned, there’s $9.9 billion in the kitty for the T2D project co-funded by the federal government. This puts us in the big league involving you so I’m very happy and very confident.”
WHAT TRANSPIRED AT QUESTION TIME
On creating value out of infrastructure projects and the sort of approach the government takes to ensure contracts and the supply chain stay within the state, plus the granting of procurement rights to SA companies so profits stay in the state: Projects like the Port Wakefield Projects, and the Joy Baluch Bridge projects, have given local companies to step up to be involved, and the Tunnels project engage SA companies to do the job. And as for work done in Hahndorf and Truro, and other smaller projects, the government can help companies to grow to handle them by building an ecosystem for partnership between the government and the companies. On how we can communicate about what’s happening in the pipeline more effectively: The government has more real time communication now and increased the frequencies in communication between partners and the department to keep relationships nice and strong. On what the government’s plan is to harmonise traffic training programs: Legislation is in place and talks are at the national level. In the regional areas where safety is top of mind, steps have been taken to do things that will not impact negatively on the community. On talent shortage and companies from interstate advertising to lure SA workers to other states: People are actually starting to move back and the premier wants to make Adelaide the most liveable city in the world. People have wanted to move back since COVID-19. The government is doubling down to increase schools, hospitals and road spend to do just that. And driving the growth of conferences and events by planning the city like creating new visitor experiences e.g. Friday night attractions to encourage people to come into the city – that will generate jobs and income. The people who do come here and have had the opportunity to look around are convinced!
The government can also have conversations with relevant parties e.g. when Rebecca Pickering suggested that the government consider supporting businesses with some handout for advertising. On relying heavily on the private sector for and what the government can do to support the industry: The government has been clearing ‘stuff’ from the pipeline because it wants to help support businesses so that our pipelines can stay as smooth as possible. “As for the presence of inhibitors, Rebecca can be on the phone to us and we can work through the problem,” quipped the Minister. On whether the party believes it’s working well: “Yes, and we’re proud. Could things be done better? Yes, we want SA people to get the best outcome so please give us your feedback – you can also do that via CCF SA.” The government’s infrastructure committee meets weekly with the premier and operates a rating system for projects to see where things could be improved. On how every time, with private development projects, in the other states, their government would chip in to get them over the line – we miss out: Here the government would look at the ‘sweet spots’ eg in the areas of defence, space and cyber, partnering the federal government to undertake smart/right projects we can compete with other states on because we’re not in the same space as the bigger states. The Australian Open – whatever we do, we’re not going to get that type of event.
*At the time of writing, the State Election had not taken place.
