SA-BEST will demand the completion of the $4.5m Penola Bypass as a non-negotiable condition of support if MacKillop candidate Tracy Hill wins the seat and the party holds the balance of power after the state election.
Party leader Nick Xenophon said the completion of the northern stage of the bypass “as soon as possible” would be a key demand if he becomes kingmaker on March 17.
Mr Xenophon said the issue of funding was an “embarrassment”, adding the completed project would provide a number of safety and economic benefits to the region.
“We know the cost is in the order of $4.5m and it is money well spent,” he said.
“The completed bypass will improve the amenity of Penola and the South East, it will make roads safer and it will increase the profitability of the 500 trucks that go through Penola every day.
“This is not just the citizens of Penola that deserve this, it’s the people of the South East and anyone who travels in the South East.
“I would hope other political parties would get behind SA-Best and support this major infrastructure project for the South East.”
The first and southern stage of the bypass was completed in 2015, but funding disagreements between the federal and state governments have resulted in a stalemate.
Last year, Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan advised Wattle Range Council the state’s GST revenue would decrease if South Australia accepted the Commonwealth Government’s offer to complete the bypass.
In May 2017, the council wrote to State Opposition leader Steven Marshall, Member for MacKillop Mitch Williams and Liberal candidate for MacKillop Nick McBride seeking a commitment to the second stage of the project.
While reiterating support for the completion, the trio was unable to commit to the funding if the Liberals were elected to government.
During a visit to the bypass in December, Mr Marshall did not directly commit to the project and instead announced a decade long regional roads and infrastructure fund to address maintenance and minor projects across the state.
Mr Xenophon fired shots at the major parties, labelling the lack of commitment and the State Government’s refusal to accept the Federal Government’s $9m towards stage two a “disgrace”.
“The fact the Liberals have been fence sitting on this just shows how weak they are in making decisions,” he said.
“I’m not a clairvoyant, but I imagine now the Liberals will fall over themselves to match the promise.
“The Labor Party should hang their heads in absolute shame.
“This is the same mob who are $700m over budget for the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, which has ended up starving country health.
“They are squealing about a few million dollars for a long overdue piece of infrastructure that will make roads safer.
“If the government are crying poor on this, there is not a violin small enough.
“The GST the government allege they might lose is basically a bit of their advertising budget and their spin doctors.
“These people are pathetic.”
SA-Best candidate for MacKillop Tracy Hill said she had been approached by several people along the campaign trail who had identified the bypass as a major issue of concern.
“The people of the South East should be confident the road will be built,” she said.
“It is a win not only for the people of Penola, but also for people of the South East.
“A vote for SA-Best in MacKillop is a win for the South East.”
Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi welcomed the commitment, saying it was a significant step in the ongoing project’s completion.
“Council is very pleased by the announcement for a commitment from the SA-Best party to complete the Penola Bypass,” he said.
“Outside of the obvious benefits to the people of Penola and visitors it will also increase productivity for in the movement of freight in the region.
“It has not only local benefits, but regional benefits, as it is part of the major north south freight route in the South East being the Riddoch Highway.”
Mr Gandolfi said council had made representation to all MacKillop’s political candidates on a number of issues as outlined in the “Ask of Government” document.
“As a council, we have made representation to all the parties regarding the Penola bypass,” he said.
“I have had direct discussions with Nick Xenophon regarding the Penola Bypass and he has followed through with a commitment to complete the project which has been debated more than 60 years.”
To date, Mr Xenophon has announced 28 lower house candidates, with recent polling indicated he is poised to win at least three seats.
More candidates, including one in the neighbouring seat of Mount Gambier, are expected to be announced shortly.
