The Federal Government has called on South Australians to have their say on the new report on the North-South Corridor – River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) project, to help identify how the project can deliver lasting improvements to the community.
The project assessment report (PAR) for the $15.4 billion T2D project details the extensive technical investigations, assessments and planning work undertaken to date, and the potential impacts and opportunities during construction and ongoing operations.
The work undertaken as part of the PAR has been critical in gaining a detailed understanding of the project area and will be used to inform project decisions.
A wide range of topics were considered, including social elements, land use planning and zoning, surface water, impacts on businesses, traffic and transport conditions, noise and vibration, air quality, sustainability, potential site contamination, health, landscape and visual amenity, geology and groundwater, ecology, and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage.
A comprehensive face-to-face engagement campaign with the community and stakeholders will be undertaken over five weeks to help broaden their understanding of the project, and gain any local insights which were not included in the PAR.
Community members will have opportunities to share their insights at pop-up information stalls at the following locations:
Kurralta Central, 153 Anzac Highway, Kurralta Park
- Thursday, 7 March, 3pm to 8pm
- Friday, 8 March, 10am to 3pm
- Saturday, 9 March, 9am to 1pm
Brickworks Marketplace, 38 South Road, Torrensville
- Wednesday, 13 March, 10am to 3pm
- Thursday, 14 March, 3pm to 8pm
- Friday, 15 March, 10am to 3pm
- Saturday, 16 March, 9am to 1pm
Castle Plaza Shopping Centre, 992 South Rd, Edwardstown
- Wednesday, 13 March, 10am to 3pm
- Thursday, 14 March, 3pm to 8pm
- Friday, 15 March, 10am to 3pm
- Saturday, 16 March, 9am to 1pm
PAR information sessions will also be held at the new T2D Community Information Centre at 290 South Road, Hilton on the following dates:
- Thursday, 21 March, 5pm to 7pm
- Saturday, 23 March, 10am to 12pm
- Tuesday, 26 March, 10am to 12pm.
The project assessments, along with community insights already gathered through previous community consultation, have been provided to prospective contractors as part of the tender process. Information gathered from this process will be used to progress further detailed planning and design for the project, and for identifying the most suitable mitigation measures.
The Project Assessment Report can be viewed here.
Once finished, the T2D Project will complete 78km of non-stop motorway between Gawler and Old Noarlunga, and allow motorists to avoid 21 existing sets of traffic lights between the River Torrens and Darlington.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said that she is proud that the Australian and South Australian governments are working together to build the ambitious North-South Corridor – Torrens to Darlington project.
“This PAR is an incredibly detailed and complex piece of work that shows the behind-the-scenes activity on this world-leading project,” Ms King said.
South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Tom Koutsantonis, said that South Australia is building, and that the centrepiece of this big build is the completed North-South Corridor, with the River Torrens to Darlington project the final piece of this complex puzzle.
“The release of the PAR is a major milestone for the T2D project and I encourage locals to have their say to contribute to long-lasting benefits to the community,” Mr Koutsantonis said.
“The importance of assessing social and environmental factors cannot be understated, as the River Torrens to Darlington project is the largest and most complex project in the state’s history.
“It’s critical that we have an excellent understanding of the project area to guide and inform great outcomes for our community.”