Local MP says the Federal Liberal Govt needs to come on board and partner with the state govt to deliver the electrification to Gawler Central.
Pressure is mounting on the Federal Liberal Government to come to the party and partner with the State Government to fund the second stage of the Gawler Rail Line Electrification project. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan has announced that Lendlease has been awarded the contact to deliver stage one of the Gawler Rail Line Electrification project. Speaking at the contract announcement, local Member of Parliament, Tony Piccolo said the people of Gawler and northern suburbs deserve to have an electrified rail line right up to the Gawler Central station. “By commencing the project the State Government has demonstrated its commitment to improving public transport to the people of Gawler and the Northern suburbs,” Mr Piccolo said. “It’s about time the Federal Liberal Government got on board and demonstrated its support for the local community. “Stage 2 of the Gawler Rail Line Electrification project will cost about $462.2 million and the State Government has budgeted 50% in the 2017/18 budget, to get the job done. Lendlease’s Northhub employment and training facility located on Port Wakefield Road at Waterloo Corner, where the construction of the Northern Connector is based, will be expanded to include the Gawler Rail Electrification Project. Mr Piccolo said there are already a number of local people employed at Northhub delivering the Northern Connector project. The expansion of Northhub to include the Gawler electrification means that there more local jobs for people in our region. “An additional 135 people will be required each year to deliver stage 1 of the project, while stage 2 would create opportunities for an additional 95 people,” Mr Piccolo said. Stage one of the project will see the electrification of the line between Adelaide and Salisbury. Construction will commence in the coming weeks, starting with the relocation of power, water, gas, telecommunications and stormwater services along the corridor. Mr Piccolo said the electrification will deliver faster, safer, more reliable and more comfortable rail services for the 17,000 passengers who use the service each weekday, and significantly increase capacity, allowing an extra 2400 passengers an hour to use the train in peak periods. “The electrification of the Gawler rail line is a project that will have an immediate and tremendous impact for our local economy,” he said.