$68.5m for SA capital works - light rail and CTC upgrades

摘要

South Australia's rail network plays an invaluable role in the State's transport system and the State Government's vision for innovative, integrated and sustainable transport outcomes. Rail has always been closely linked to the State's economic and social development. Recently the State celebrated the 150th anniversary of what is believed to be Australia's first public railway line, which ran from Goolwa to Port Elliott. This line brought significant export opportunities to local producers and in turn, economic benefits to the State. Since then, the regional railway network in South Australia has continued to be driven by the needs of the mining and agricultural industries, both of which are still major rail users today. A glance at any photograph of the State and the location of rail lines shows how closely they follow the sites of these economic needs. Since the earliest days of mining in the State, such as at Kapunda and Burra, and with the expansion of the grain-growing regions on the Eyre Peninsula and the Murray lands early in the 20th Century, these rail lines have provided vital links to the ports for export.