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MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday, 15 April 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATE BUDGET MUST COMMIT FUNDS TO SA’S WORSENING ROAD
MAINTENANCE BACKLOG: POWERFUL INDUSTRY LOBBY GROUP
The Weatherill Government was today urged to commit urgent funds in the upcoming
State Budget to SA’s worsening road maintenance backlog – now estimated to be
close to $1 billion dollars.
The desperate call has been made by one of South Australia’s most powerful industry
lobby groups, the Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) of Australia (SA branch).
It claims there is “universal disbelief” at the decline in South Australian roads over the
past two decades, and said substandard road infrastructure is unsafe and is a
“handbrake” on the economy.
The CCF believes the problem is so serious – and is having such a negative impact on
the State’s economy – that it today launched a state-wide telephone hotline where
people could report specific road maintenance issues.
“Wherever you travel in South Australia you will find appalling examples of the lack of
upkeep and maintenance of our roads – it’s dangerous,” CCF (SA branch) Chief
Executive, Mr Phil Sutherland, said.
“There is almost universal belief that concurrent governments have continued to ignore
this problem,” he said.
“Many of our members are involved in road construction and maintenance, and there is
absolute dismay at the decline in road maintenance over the past two decades - with
the back log estimated at close to $1 billion dollars, and growing.
“Deferring road maintenance or just conducting band aid solutions is a false economy.
“The longer it is left, the more expensive it will be. Every transport infrastructure
economist knows this.
“Many of the roads in SA were constructed to serve a former economy. They just can’t
cope with today’s current traffic loads.
For further Information contact:
Phil Sutherland - CCF SA Chief Executive Officer
M 0402 440 339 P (08) 8111 8000 E psutherland@ccfsa.com.au
The CCF SA: the peak industry association for the civil contracting sector l influencing government policy and regulation l lobbying and
advocating for civil contracting companies l maintaining networks of influential government, media and community contacts l providing
information of relevance to civil contracting companies and the community l facilitating opportunities for civil contracting companies to be
consulted on matters of importance l hosting social and networking opportunities for civil contractors l promoting the civil contracting
sector l delivering civil training programs and courses l providing technical and specialist advisory services to civil contractors l
progressing strategies designed to achieve and maintain a safe, sustainable and profitable civil contracting sector.
MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday, 15 April 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“There are pot holes on most roads throughout South Australia. Many are unsafe and
unsightly. The public deserves much better than this.”
Mr Sutherland said the CFF established the new telephone hotline so relevant data
could be collated and presented to the SA Government – together with a strong
message that substandard road infrastructure is unsafe and has a negative impact on
the economy.
He said maintaining roads – like many public assets – was essential for the prosperity
of the State, and the longer such work was delayed, the more expensive the eventual
maintenance becomes.
“Investing in road maintenance is nation building, and will generate work for a
beleaguered civil construction sector and create jobs,” Mr Sutherland said.
“It will also trigger the economic multiplier effect through a number of sectors, including
the demand for road building materials.
“Investing in road maintenance makes good economic sense. It’s a no brainer.
“We are calling on Premier Weatherill to make serious provisions in the upcoming State
Budget for road maintenance on a state-wide basis.”
ABOUT THE CIVIL CONTRACTORS FEDERATION:
The Civil Contractors Federation (South Australian Branch) has 600 company members who in turn
employ up to 20,000 South Australians. Members are involved in a variety of projects and activities (from
small to very large) including the development and maintenance of civil or “horizontal” infrastructure such
as roads, bridges, sewer, water and drainage pipelines, dams, wharves, commercial and housing land
development. Members are also involved in the preparatory works for mining and other resource
developments.
South Australia’s prosperity is dependent upon functional, efficient and cost effective civil infrastructure.
Healthy, well-functioning and productive countries depend on infrastructure that civil contractors
construct and maintain. Civil contractors play a prime role in working with both public sector and private
sector clients in infrastructure delivery. This is the business of civil construction which has
historically played a pivotal role in the growth and prosperity of South Australia.
For further Information contact:
Phil Sutherland - CCF SA Chief Executive Officer
M 0402 440 339 P (08) 8111 8000 E psutherland@ccfsa.com.au
The CCF SA: the peak industry association for the civil contracting sector l influencing government policy and regulation l lobbying and
advocating for civil contracting companies l maintaining networks of influential government, media and community contacts l providing
information of relevance to civil contracting companies and the community l facilitating opportunities for civil contracting companies to be
consulted on matters of importance l hosting social and networking opportunities for civil contractors l promoting the civil contracting
sector l delivering civil training programs and courses l providing technical and specialist advisory services to civil contractors l
progressing strategies designed to achieve and maintain a safe, sustainable and profitable civil contracting sector.