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Phil Sutherland: Extend the tram line into North Adelaide, past the Oval

Phil SutherlandThe Advertiser

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WITH great vision comes some of the world’s best cities. And great vision is exactly what South Australia’s chief decision-makers need now to make our city great again.

The Adelaide City Council recently made the bold decision to acquire the former Le Cornu site at North Adelaide.

After the site had been sitting idle as a wasteland for almost three decades, plans are now being considered. The site’s development could see it become a catalyst for economic growth and community development in the up-market commercial and residential precinct.

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Civil Contractors Federation chief executive Phil Sutherland
Camera IconCivil Contractors Federation chief executive Phil Sutherland Credit: Supplied

Extending the King William St tram line past Adelaide Oval into O’Connell St would not only satisfy the sporting public, but also complement and potentially contribute to the success of the redevelopment of the site and broader precinct.

Tram infrastructure and modernisation has obvious appeal — build it and they will use it — and has a proven global record of economic stimulus, including facilitating and encouraging the movement of people to and from other parts of the city.

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An innovative development on the former Le Cornu site supported by a tram could deliver a unique outcome for the O’Connell St precinct.

Extending the tram to O’Connell St would maintain the momentum and enthusiasm created by the redevelopment of the Adelaide CBD Riverbank Precinct.

The public may also forgive the State Government for the absurd decision not to allow trams to turn right from King William St into North Tce.

Construction begins on new tram lines on the corner of North Tce and King William St.
Camera IconConstruction begins on new tram lines on the corner of North Tce and King William St. Credit: News Corp Australia, AAP / Brenton Edwards

In a state with high unemployment and a slow economy, the additional civil construction works flowing from extending the tram line would leverage the proven job creating potential and trigger the economic multiplier effect that would extend well beyond the tram line.

The State Treasurer says the Budget is in a healthy place — this opens the door to a government with vision to borrow at historically low interest rates to extend the tram line to O’Connell St — and indeed other destinations.

Public investment in trams and tram lines are productivity-producing infrastructure in its purest form.

The O’Connell St extension could be the flagship project to see the AdeLINK tram/light rail project — a proposed light rail from Adelaide Airport to the CBD — roll out sooner than later. All that is required is the political will, courage and vision.

As we approach the March state election, we encourage all political parties to commit to re-establishing the comprehensive tram system Adelaide was able to boast until it was foolishly pulled up in the 1960s.

Phil Sutherland is CEO of the Civil Contractors Federation