South Australia

Download the Full Report Here

South Australia's 2010 Infrastructure Report has been released. To download the full report please click on the links below:

A Ratings Summary is available below.

Media Release

Report card finds South Australia's infrastructure stressed

The release today of the Engineers Australia 2010 South Australian Infrastructure Report Card indicates that all sectors of infrastructure need attention, with about half needing major to critical changes.

What is the Infrastructure Report Card Project?

The 2010 Infrastructure Report Cards Project is a major initiative of Engineers Australia which aims to advance the quality and provision of infrastructure across the nation, with subsequent benefits to Australia’s economy, communities and the environment. The project’s output consists of Report Cards for all Australian States and Territories.

For more information about how the Report Cards are developed, please view our Frequently Asked Questions

Report cards for all States and Territories are scheduled to be progressively released through to September.

Previous Reports
 		  
 

Ratings Summary

The table below show the ratings summary. To download this summary in PDF format please click here

Infrastructure Type Grade Comment
Roads overall
National Roads
State Roads
Local Roads

C-
C
C
D

 These ratings recognise that significant improvements are needed in road infrastructure, notably a need to address the significant maintenance backlog in regional and metropolitan areas, and growing congestion and slow speeds on major Adelaide arterial roads. Deterioration in the road network is likely unless increased funding for capital works and maintenance occurs, coupled with a reduction in the distance travelled per capita.
Rail C This rating recognises that the metropolitan rail network has experienced a continual decline in service quality over the last 5 years, however significant planned investments should arrest this trend. The intrastate rail network has improved marginally in some areas, but the remainder of this network continues to wither. The interstate network has improved due to selective upgrades by the ARTC, but bottlenecks remain, particularly in the Adelaide Hills and metropolitan areas. 
Ports B- This rating recognises that the ports are generally fit for their current purpose. However, major expansion of existing ports or the development of new ports will be needed to accommodate any significant increase in mineral exports.
Airports B- This rating recognises that there have been continual upgrades at Adelaide Airport and regional airports. However, some smaller airports have limited financial means to provide the improved airport infrastructure required to accommodate heavier aircraft and new security measures.
Potable Water B This rating recognises that country water supply has improved due to the Country Water Quality Improvement Program, as will metropolitan supply reliability with the completion of the Adelaide Desalination Plant. However, there is a need to continue to increase the diversity of supply in both rural and metropolitan areas, so as to reduce reliance on River Murray water and groundwater, and to reduce demand. 
Wastewater B- This rating recognises that there have been improvements in the funding and asset quality of sewerage networks in both metropolitan and rural areas, a reduction in environmental impacts from sewage, and a continual growth in the reuse of wastewater.
Stormwater D This rating recognises that while stormwater reuse continues to rise in SA, there are a number of areas in Adelaide that remain flood prone and require improved drainage and stormwater infrastructure. In addition, there is a concern that existing stormwater infrastructure will be more frequently overwhelmed due to increased runoff arising from urban infill that creates larger impervious areas.
Irrigation C+ This rating recognises that while there has been improvement in irrigation infrastructure, such as replacing open channels with pipes, constructing salt interception schemes and increasing the use of recycled water, there is concern about the long-term viability of much irrigation infrastructure due to poor management of the total Murray-Darling water resource.
Electricity B- This rating recognises that SA has sufficient generation capacity to meet demand until 2012/13. However, peak demand growth needs to be moderated to prevent high cost, low utilisation infrastructure being required. While the present significant expansion in transmission and distribution network infrastructure is important to rectify key limitations, ongoing growth in wind power and the development of distributed generation will require significant additional investment.
Gas B+ This rating recognises that the two transmission pipelines in the State provide security of supply, and the distribution network is in adequate condition.
Telecommunications C This rating recognises that while telecommunication services are generally available to a high percentage of the population, there are still many blackspots in broadband and mobile coverage, and areas of network vulnerability due to a lack of competitive backhaul.
SA’s Results

 

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