Friday, July 27, 2018
Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey was pleased to host Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Michael McCormack in Port Augusta on Friday.
Mr Ramsey said Minister McCormack’s visit gave him an opportunity to re-state the Federal Government’s support for the duplication of the Joy Baluch Bridge.
“Make no mistake, both the State and Federal Governments are fully committed to delivering the new bridge”, Mr Ramsey said. “It is anticipated the project will cost $200m with the Commonwealth providing eighty percent of the total.”
“While the project is funded, it is important the Minister sees where the money he has allocated is going to be spent and why it’s such an important project to Port Augusta and the rest of the nation,” Mr Ramsey said.
Minister McCormack also met with workers at the ARTC Flash Butt welding facility discussing orders for rail from the facility including the current Adelaide-Tarcoola upgrade and the Inland Rail Project in NSW.
“This work is providing regional jobs at the facility and out on the track and importantly lots of rail from Liberty OneSteel in Whyalla”, Mr Ramsey said.
While inspecting the bridge Mr Ramsey said he and the DPM also met with the Port Augusta Rate Payers Association, the three Upper Spencer Gulf Mayors, Dan van Holst Pellekaan and Geoff Brock to discuss the Commonwealth’s commitment to the duplication of the Joy Baluch Bridge.
“It’s not Michael’s first visit to Grey”, Mr Ramsey said, “but it is his first as DPM and it was terrific to have him back and have an opportunity to thank him for his support and push the case for other top class projects such as the Port Wakefield dual lane/overpass project and the sealing of the Strzelecki Track. It is important we get visits from senior ministers in order to push the case for continued investment.”
The Deputy Prime Minister also spent time in Kadina Thursday afternoon opening the redeveloped Copper Coast Sport and Leisure Centre which the Federal Government committed over $4.8 million to through the National Stronger Regions Fund.
Media contact: Courtney Stephens (08) 8821 4366
