Annual Report 2022–2023

To:

Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

Hon Geoff Brock MP
Minister for Regional Roads 
Minister for Local Government

Hon Joe Szakacs MP
Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services

This annual report will be presented to Parliament to meet the statutory reporting requirements of the Public Sector Act 2009, the Public Finance and Audit Act 1987, and other relevant Acts and the requirements of Premier and Cabinet Circular PC013 Annual Reporting.

Incorporated in this document is annual reporting by the Commissioner of Highways under the provision of the Highways Act 1926, and by the Rail Commissioner under the provision of the Rail Commissioner Act 2009.

This report is verified to be accurate for the purposes of annual reporting to the Parliament of South Australia.

Submitted on behalf of the Department for Infrastructure and Transport by:

Jon Whelan
Chief Executive

Date: 29 September 2023

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (the Department) is proud to have delivered important infrastructure projects, transport improvements and essential services for South Australians in the 2022-2023 financial year.

We marked a number of key achievements in our multi-billion dollar programs of transport and social infrastructure projects, while continuing to support job creation and generate economic and social value for South Australians. The Department also continues to progress the Government’s election commitments.

Significant progress was made towards the delivery of the River Torrens to Darlington Project – the final phase of the North-South Corridor and the most ambitious project ever undertaken in South Australia – by completing a comprehensive project review, engaging with the community, advancing enabling works and commencing procurement for the major works.

The comprehensive review was finalised in December 2022, and resulted in critical changes aimed at delivering the best possible outcome for the local community and all South Australians.

The $15.4 billion project design incorporates new essential broader network upgrades worth $850 million, includes two sets of twin three-lane tunnels, lowered and ground-level motorways, which delivers on three key objectives: improved connectivity, improved safety and safeguarding the fabric of the local community.

The Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project was completed in early 2023, with the new Torrens Road bridge and upgraded intersection of Churchill Road and Torrens Road open to traffic and the refurbished Ovingham Railway Station reopened to passengers.

The Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication Project, was also completed. The project replaced the dangerous former intersection of the Port Wakefield, Copper Coast and Augusta highways with a new two-lane overpass; duplicated Port Wakefield Highway through Port Wakefield; realigned the Highway’s junction with Balaklava Road; and delivered improvements to pedestrian access and landscaping throughout the township.

The Joy Baluch AM Bridge in Port Augusta opened in its fully duplicated configuration, with dual lanes on both bridge sections operating in June 2023. In metropolitan Adelaide, the intersections of Cross Road and Fullarton Road and Nottage Terrace and North East Road opened to traffic in their final, upgraded configurations in December 2022 and April 2023, respectively.

Works continued to duplicate Main South Road and Victor Harbor Road on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The duplication of the Augusta Highway between Port Wakefield and Lochiel is also well advanced, with traffic now using newly constructed lanes with the project expected to be completed next year.

The Coopers Stadium upgrade was completed in preparation for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Adelaide, held throughout July and August 2023. The upgrade included the redevelopment of the eastern stand with a 2,200 square metre roof providing improved protection from the elements, along with new light towers, big screens, food and beverage outlets, amenities, and corporate seating.

Construction was also completed on the first stage of Morialta Secondary College, allowing Year 7 students to commence Term 1 of the 2023 school year.

Other important pieces of social infrastructure completed in 2022-2023 included the Lyell McEwin Hospital Emergency Department upgrade, Mount Barker Hospital Emergency Department Upgrade, Yatala Labour Prison Expansion and Adelaide Women’s Prison upgrade.

The site for the new, state of the art Adelaide Aquatic Centre was confirmed and design work commenced, releasing new concept designs which include a range of amenities not currently available to users of the existing facility.

We progressed the South Australian Government’s commitment to return train and tram services to public hands. This led to an agreement being signed between the South Australian Government and train operator Keolis Downer Adelaide and tram operator Torrens Connect, which will see operational functions returned by January 2025 and July 2025 respectively, ensuring a safe and efficient transition.

The past financial year saw the introduction of free public transport for eligible Seniors Card holders on the Adelaide Metro transport system all day every day from July 2022, and the delivery of five reconfigured rail carriages to allow more space for bicycles on the Belair line.

The next generation of smart validators have now been rolled out on all trams and O-Bahn buses. These validators can read metroCARDs, credit/debit cards and digital QR tickets.

It was a busy year for Service SA staff, who worked tirelessly to support South Australians affected by the Optus and other data breaches by replacing their licences. In total, over 125,000 licence replacements were facilitated online and in Customer Service Centres as a result of these data breaches.

Service SA opening hours were also expanded in May 2023, to include 9am to 5pm Saturdays in the busy metropolitan centres of Marion, Seaford Meadows, Prospect and Modbury and Elizabeth. More than 25,000 transactions were completed in the first three months of opening on Saturdays.

The outer areas vehicle registration concession was reintroduced in July 2022, for residents of Kangaroo Island, Coober Pedy, Roxby Downs and all other parts of South Australia that are not within a municipality, a district council area, or Iron Knob.

The conditional registration scheme was expanded to include classic and historic vehicles manufactured prior to 1997.

Both of these measures – which came into effect on 1 July 2022 – resulted in an increase to the number of vehicles eligible for cheaper car registration in South Australia.

The inaugural South Australian Car Club Program was also launched. The Car Club provides support to local car and motorcycle clubs across South Australia.

South Australia’s Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2025 (the Action Plan) was released in February 2023. The Action Plan is informed by consultation and feedback received during the development of South Australia’s Road Safety Strategy to 2031, and implements State actions under the National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2025.

A number of taxi industry reforms were also advanced, which included reintroducing managed taxi ranks and introducing more inspectors to monitor and enforce the Passenger Transport Act 1994; strengthening compliance activity for taxis and rideshare operators; and providing a rebate on Compulsory Third Party insurance premiums for eligible taxi owners.

The Department worked with the Attorney-General’s Department and South Australian Police to create a new offence in the Road Traffic Act 1961, prohibiting the driver of an ultra-high powered vehicle from disabling automated intervention systems.

We became an official signatory to the Equal Opportunity Commission’s “We’re Equal” campaign with implementation activities being planned internally and across Service SA centres and the Adelaide Railway Station.

Last, but certainly not least, I would like to make special mention of our road maintenance and marine services staff, as well as everyone else in the Department, other agencies, local communities and local councils, who worked around the clock to respond to the River Murray flood event in late 2022 and early 2023.

The once-in-a-generation flood event caused significant disruptions to local Riverland communities, cutting off access to large sections of 12 major State Government managed roads (and many more local government roads) and the majority of our River Murray ferry crossings.

It was heartening to see the determination and collaborative spirit our staff showed as they worked tirelessly to quickly and safely restore access and connectivity to affected local communities.

I’d like to thank all of the Department’s staff and our partners for another year of hard work to make all these and other achievements possible. We are committed to supporting a growing economy and a thriving community by designing, delivering and maintaining the State infrastructure used to deliver essential services to the community, and developing transport networks and the service delivery that supports them.

Jon Whelan
Chief Executive
Department for Infrastructure and Transport

Our functions, objectives, and deliverables

Transport Strategy and Planning

Develops plans, programs, management frameworks, standards and data-driven analytics tools for transport network development and management that optimises performance and outcomes. The division is focused on delivering:

• Integrated strategies for transport networks and assets driven by objective and evidence-based analysis, linked to broader state economic and social objectives.
• A high potential program and project pipeline of economically viable projects presenting government with clear investment options.
• Controls and governance from project initiation to benefit realisation.
• Contemporary standards and practices delivered through integrated partnerships with industry, fit for purpose for the whole asset lifecycle.

Infrastructure Delivery

Designs, specifies, procures, delivers and integrates social and transport infrastructure safely and efficiently to sustain and support growth and maximise the benefit of government’s investments. The division is focused on delivering:

• Fit for purpose social and transport infrastructure that is responsive, meets customer needs and generates economic and community orientated benefits and outcomes.
• Best whole of lifecycle solutions developed and delivered collaboratively with colleagues, industry, and key stakeholders, through a motivated and skilled workforce.
• Leading practice and innovation in safety, environmental management, sustainability, procurement, design, engineering, and delivery.
• Effective governance and project controls.

North-South Corridor Program Delivery Office

Develops the plans and oversees the delivery of infrastructure needed to complete the final stage of the North-South Corridor, River Torrens to Darlington. The division is focused on delivering a project which:

• Significantly contributes to economic development.
• Improves liveability, connectivity and facilitates jobs growth.
• Delivers travel time savings and boosts productivity.
• Improves road safety.

Road and Marine Services

Connects our communities by enabling safe, reliable and efficient movements and flows of goods, services and people across the State’s road and marine networks. The division is focused on delivering:

• Safe and reliable road and marine infrastructure operated and maintained to maximise economic and community benefit.
• Optimised networks, with data driven solutions, that optimise overall performance in movement of goods, services, and people.
• Forward thinking policies, strategies and programs based on stakeholder engagement and evidence that will enable safe, inclusive, productive, efficient, sustainable transport.
• Service delivery that meets customer needs and expectations.

South Australia Public Transport Authority

Delivers frequent, better connected and customer focused services for mass transit and ensures services are delivered safely, efficiently, and sustainably. The division is focused on delivering:

• Customer-focused public transport and better maintained state assets in partnership with our service providers.
• Integrated end-to-end journeys with easier access, and information, payments and navigation enabled by new technologies.
• A clear plan for growth that makes the case for investment in new public transport assets and transitions them into service efficiently.
• Initiatives which support the government’s goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
• Better public transport networks that attract more customers.
• Improved customer experience through simple, safe and easy-to-use public transport services to attract and retain customers.

Transport Policy and Regulation

Connects our communities by delivering policy initiatives, community information and provision of services for safe road use and travel behaviour by overseeing regulatory, road safety and policy responsibilities and delivers customer-focused services through Service SA.

• Forward thinking policies, strategies and programs based on stakeholder engagement and evidence that will enable safe, inclusive, productive, and sustainable road use and travel behaviour.
• Effective regulation of access and usage that assures safety and sustainability, with clear boundaries reflecting reasonable expectations.
• Service delivery that meets customer needs and expectations.

Commercial and Contract Management

Responsible for procurement of civil construction projects and contract management and commercial advisory of these projects and the Department’s road maintenance contracts, to ensure delivery is undertaken in accordance with the contracted requirements. The division is focused on:

• Procuring civil infrastructure and maintenance projects.
• Ensuring contractors perform contracted works in accordance with the terms of their contracts.
• Protecting the public interest in the delivery of infrastructure and maintenance projects by holding contractors to account to ensure that works are delivered within budget.
• Delivering contract management services that serve as a model for contract management throughout government.
• Maintaining effective procurement governance and contract management controls.

Public Affairs

Listens, informs, communicates and works with customers, and stakeholders to guide our agency to deliver improved outcomes for our economy, our community, and our State. The division is focused on delivering:

• Social value by putting people at the centre of everything we do, ensuring we deliver better outcomes for customers, stakeholders and the community.
• Trusted advice and services to government, supporting our business partners to ensure goals are achieved.
• Accurate, transparent and timely communications, with a focus on building our social licence and enhancing the Department’s reputation.
• A positive organisational culture that promotes the Department as a workplace of choice.

People and Corporate Services

Provide systems and assurance processes for managing our people, our finances, our performance and risk, ensuring we can work safely, efficiently, and productively. The division is focused on delivering:

• A high-performance organisation that is enabled by well-designed systems, processes, and technology, with effective management frameworks that enable efficient work practice.
• Effective control frameworks that ensure ongoing compliance with all relevant legislative, regulatory and policy requirements.
• Provision of valuable advice and user orientated services that support business partners enabling them to deliver an engaging work environment with a clear focus on safety, flexibility, productivity, and progressive practices.
• A skilled, motivated, diverse workforce demonstrating our values in their actions.

Office of the Chief Executive

The Office of the Chief Executive is responsible for the delivery of a comprehensive range of professional, strategic, and responsive executive support services to the Chief Executive and the Executive team, with a strong focus on driving strategic priorities and objectives for the Department and government.

The Office of the Chief Executive provides a key customer service and interface with Ministerial Offices, to ensure the provision of accurate and timely information.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive for 2022-2023:

• Angela Gerace, Deputy Director, Office of the Chief Executive.
• Wayne Buckerfield, Deputy Chief Executive, Executive Director, North-South Corridor Program Delivery Office.
• Andrew Excell, Executive Director, Transport Strategy and Planning.
• Simon Morony, Executive Director, Infrastructure Delivery.
• Emma Kokar, Executive Director, Road and Marine Services.
• Robert Stopp, Executive Director, Public Transport South Australia.
• Brian Roche, Executive Director, Commercial and Contract Management.
• Graeme Jackson, Executive Director, People and Corporate Services.
• Andrew Ockenden, Executive Director, Public Affairs.

Changes to the agency

During 2022-2023, the agency’s structure changed as a result of an internal review:

Creation of new divisions

• Infrastructure Delivery
• Commercial and Contract Management

Discontinuation of divisions

• Transport Project Delivery
• Across Government Services

Restructured divisions

• Transport Strategy and Planning
• Road and Marine Services

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

Adelaide Oval Redevelopment and Management Act 2011

Adelaide Railway Station Development Act 1984

Aerodrome Fees Act 1998

Air Navigation Act 1937

Air Transport (Route Licensing—Passenger Services) Act 2002

Alice Springs to Darwin Railway Act 1997

AustralAsia Railway (Third Party Access) Act 1999

Civil Aviation (Carriers' Liability) Act 1962

Commissioner of Public Works Incorporation Act 1917

General Tramways Act 1884

Golden Grove (Indenture Ratification) Act 1984

Government House Precinct Land Dedication Act 2016

Harbors and Navigation Act 1993

Heavy Vehicle National Law (South Australia) Act 2013

Highways Act 1926

Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law (Application) Act 2013

Maritime Services (Access) Act 2000

Metropolitan Adelaide Road Widening Plan Act 1972

Mile End Underpass Act 2005

Mobil Lubricating Oil Refinery (Indenture) Act 1976

*Morphett Street Bridge Act 1964

Motor Vehicles Act 1959

National Soldiers Memorial Act 1949

Non-Metropolitan Railways (Transfer) Act 1997

North Haven (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1986

North Haven Development Act 1972

Oil Refinery (Hundred of Noarlunga) Indenture Act 1958

Passenger Transport Act 1994

Proof of Sunrise and Sunset Act 1923

Protection of Marine Waters (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1987

Public Employees Housing Act 1987

Rail Commissioner Act 2009

Rail Safety National Law (South Australia) Act 2012

Rail Transport Facilitation Fund Act 2001

Railways (Operations and Access) Act 1997

Railways (Transfer Agreement) Act 1975

Road Traffic Act 1961

South Australian Ports (Bulk Handling Facilities) Act 1996

South Australian Ports (Disposal of Maritime Assets) Act 2000

*Steamtown Peterborough (Vesting of Property) Act 1986

*Tarcoola to Alice Springs Railway Agreement Act 1974

Terrorism (Surface Transport Security) Act 2011

Victoria Square Act 2005

Waite Trust (Vesting of Land) Act 2020

West Lakes Development Act 1969

Minister for Local Government

Commissioner for Kangaroo Island Act 2014

Local Government Act 1999

Local Government (Elections) Act 1999

Local Government (Implementation) Act 1999

Outback Communities (Administration and Management) Act 2009

Plebiscite (South East Council Amalgamation) Act 2022

South Australian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1992

*Denotes Act of limited application

Other related agencies (within the Minister’s area/s of responsibility)

N/A

During 2022-2023, the agency achieved the following:

• Released the updated design for the River Torrens to Darlington Project in December 2022, and commenced procurement for the major works component of the project.
• Supported the State Government’s commitment to return train and tram services to public hands, signing an agreement with train operator Keolis Downer Adelaide and tram operator Torrens Connect to hand back operational functions by January 2025 and July 2025 respectively.
• Responded effectively to the River Murray flood event; including marine safety and repairing and reopening flood-affected roads and ferry crossings – reconnecting communities and restoring freight movement of essential supplies.
• Supported over 125,000 South Australians with licence replacements – facilitated online and in Customer Service Centres – in response to the Optus and other data breaches.
• Opened the new Torrens Road bridge to traffic and completed works on the Torrens Road, Ovingham Level Crossing Upgrade.
• Opened the Joy Baluch AM Bridge in its fully duplicated configuration, with dual lanes on both bridge sections operating.
• Continued major works on the Main South Road and Victor Harbor Road Duplication projects as part of the Fleurieu Connections package; and the Augusta Highway Duplication Project.
• Commenced main works on the Heysen Tunnels Refit and Safety Upgrade as part of the South Eastern Freeway Upgrade.
• Completed construction of the Coopers Stadium upgrade, Morialta Secondary College (first stage), Lyell McEwin Hospital Emergency Department upgrade, Mount Barker Hospital Emergency Department Upgrade, Yatala Labour Prison Expansion and Adelaide Women’s Prison upgrade.
• Confirmed the site for the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre and commenced design work.
• Commenced main works on the expansion of the Tea Tree Plaza Park ‘n’ Ride.
• Completed the South Eastern Freeway heavy vehicle safety review in collaboration with industry to improve safety on the freeway descent to Adelaide.
• Extended Service SA operating hours to include Saturday for five key metropolitan centres from May 2023.
• Delivered 953 Rider Safe courses and facilitated 6,583 bookings for those courses.
• Released South Australia’s Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2025 in February 2023.
• Completed the delivery of the ‘Tap and Pay’ ticketing to the O-Bahn bus fleet and completed the rollout on the remaining bus fleet.
• Introduced free metropolitan public transport at all times for Seniors Card holders from 1 July 2022.
• Introduced bike friendly carriages on the Belair rail line in November 2022.
• Coordinated additional and special public transport services to cater for the significant increased demand generated by the AFL Gather Round and LIV Golf tournament.
• Continued works on the Old Murray Bridge Refurbishment Project and works on key regional highway corridors, including the Sturt, Eyre, Barrier, and Horrocks highways.
• Introduced the Statutes Amendment (Use of Devices in Vehicles) Act 2022, which allows for mobile phone detection cameras to operate in South Australia, being a significant addition to the tools available to improve road safety outcomes.
• The Department worked with the Attorney-General’s Department and South Australian Police to create a new offence in the Road Traffic Act 1961, prohibiting the driver of an ultra-high powered vehicle from disabling automated intervention systems.
• Became an official signatory to the Equal Opportunity Commission’s “We’re Equal” campaign with implementation activities being planned internally and across Service SA centres and the Adelaide Railway Station.

The Department is committed to the continued delivery of a multi-billion dollar pipeline of infrastructure investment, while implementing key reforms, supporting the continued growth of the South Australian economy and the social wellbeing of our communities.

During the 2022-2023 financial year, our People and Corporate Services Division enabled effective organisational assurance, safety and performance by:

• Coordinating and managing all industrial relations and human resource matters.
• Organising and managing an effective redeployment and retraining program, with successful placement of unassigned employees into vacant roles or projects within the public sector, such as project support and maintenance programs.
• Embedding an enhanced people capability development framework that promotes a safe, inclusive, flexible, engaging, and productive workplace for all, where performance is managed consistently and effectively agency wide.
• Coordinating and implementing an integrated program of reforms and improvements to the framework of procurement policies and practices.
• Coordinating and enabling the delivery and implementation of a prioritised pipeline of technology projects that supported the delivery of Departmental objectives and delivered a robust Cyber Security Framework.
• Sustaining effective financial controls and management over the Department’s program.
• Coordinating and managing agency wide risk management, and risk mitigations and treatments to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to identity, action and treat enterprise-wide risks.
• Embedding an enhanced in-house legal services capability model.
• Providing professional and timely legal, legislative, commercial and assurance services to ensure the Department is compliant with all legal, revenue and statutory requirements.
• Facilitated the Department becoming an official signatory to the Equal Opportunity Commission’s We’re Equal campaign with implementation activities being planned internally and across Service SA centres and the Adelaide Railway Station.

* Number of claimants assessed during the reporting period as having a whole person impairment of 30% or more under the Return to Work Act 2014 (Part 2 Division 5).

** Before third party recovery.

Data for previous years is available at: https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/work-health-and-safety-and-return-to-work-performance-for-dpti.

Data for previous years is available at: https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/executive-employment-in-the-department-for-planning-transport-and-infrastructure.

The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment has a workforce information page that provides further information on the breakdown of executive gender, salary and tenure by agency.

The following is a brief summary of the overall financial position of the agency. The information is unaudited. Full audited financial statements for 2022-2023 are at Attachment 1 of this report.

For a detailed breakdown of financial performance, please refer to Note 1.4 Budget Performance.

The Department has assets worth $44.786 billion. This consists mainly of network, land and building assets, and Deposits at call with the Treasurer, the Hon Stephen Mullighan MP. The Department has total liabilities of $1.050 billion. This mainly consists of financial lease liabilities and expenses due but not yet paid on supplies and services and capital projects.

In 2022-2023 the Department did not engage any consultants.

Data for previous years is available at: Consultants engaged by the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure - Dataset - data.sa.gov.au.

See also the Consolidated Financial Report of the Department of Treasury and Finance for total value of consultancy contracts across the South Australian Public Sector.

A summary of external contractors that have been engaged by the agency during the 2022-2023 financial year, the contract title and nature of work undertaken, and the total contract awarded sum, is attached as Appendix 2.

Data for previous years is available at: External contractors engaged by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport - Dataset - data.sa.gov.au.

The details of South Australian Government-awarded contracts for goods, services, and works are displayed on the SA Tenders and Contracts website. View the agency list of contracts.

The website also provides details of across government contracts.

Pursuant to section 79D of the Road Traffic Act 1961, the responsible Minister is required to report to Parliament on the operations of the Community Road Safety Fund. This report is provided separate to this annual report, and will be tabled by the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services.

The Department manages a wide range of complex areas with the need to manage significant levels of risk and is committed to embedding, monitoring and refining risk management processes into our culture, practices, and decision-making processes.

NB: Fraud reported includes actual and reasonably suspected incidents of fraud.

• Continue to implement and continuously improve fraud and corruption control strategies in line with Australian Standard 8001-2008 Fraud and Corruption Control.
• Mandatory completion of the online Fraud and Corruption Control training module by all employees within the Department.
• Continue to promote behaviour in line with the Code of Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector.
• Assess and test controls relating to fraud as part of internal audit processes and reviews.
• Continue to develop relationships between the Investigations unit and other business units to develop and plan projects and resources that mitigate any potential risks.
• Targeted face to face training sessions held with specific business units based on their risk profile.
• Fraud and Corruption Control presentations at corporate induction days for new employees.
• Monitor conflicts of interest and gifts and benefits reporting.
• Probity presentations to employees in the Department requiring probity briefings.
• Review of fraud and corruption control policies and procedures and training materials.

Data for previous years is available at:

• Fraud Detected in the Department for Infrastructure and Transport - Dataset - data.sa.gov.au
• Annual Reports - Department for Infrastructure and Transport - South Australia (dit.sa.gov.au)

Number of occasions on which public interest information has been disclosed to a responsible officer of the agency under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018:

Nil.

Data for previous years is available at: Public Interest Information (Whistle-blowers') disclosure for the Department for Infrastructure and Transport - Dataset - data.sa.gov.au.

Note: Disclosure of public interest information was previously reported under the Whistleblowers Protection Act 1993 and repealed by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018 on 1/7/2019.

The following report is provided in accordance with section 10 of the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993 (the Act) for the 2022-2023 financial year.

Safe navigation for vessels River Murray Flood Event

The Department was a support agency to the State Emergency Service (SES) during the River Murray flood event. Under the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993 – section 67, a number of restrictions were placed on operating on the River Murray to keep river users safe due to the flood conditions.

The River Murray work involved the deployment of 211 temporary signs advising the community of hazards and restrictions and 284 navigational hazard assessments.

A dedicated webpage was set up with marine safety information about restrictions and safe river use and boat ramps that were closed along the river.

Registration and Licences in 2022-2023

In 2022-2023, 5,115 new boat licences were issued and 84 Special Permits were issued for persons aged 12 to 15. Of these Special Permit holders, 18 undertook a theory examination and practical test to allow them to operate unsupervised. A further 66 undertook a theory test which only allows them to operate with a boat licence holder. There are a total of 305,064 boat licence holders in South Australia. In terms of registration, there were 2,346 new boat registrations in 2022-2023, with a total of 50,749 boats registered at the end of June 2023.

Safety Strategies

A new marketing campaign ran from October 2022 to April 2023. The campaign aimed to remind boaters to stay safe with the key message of ‘Know it – Safe boating is knowing your equipment and vessel’. The campaign included social media posts throughout the season and boosted social media posts around school holidays and long weekends, radio advertisements on metropolitan radio, radio advertisements on radio streaming services and podcasts, print adverts and editorial in Fishing SA magazine and digital advertising on websites that boaters visit.

The non-compliance rate of vessels checked during the campaign period of October 2022 to April 2023 was 35.9%, an improvement on the previous year’s campaign of 39.5%. A monthly newsletter was distributed to more than 4,300 subscribers (increase of 700 subscribers compared to the previous financial year), providing regular information about new regulations and boating safety. Media releases were issued at peak boating periods with Marine Safety and Compliance staff undertaking radio interviews to promote key safety messages.

Aquatic Activity Licences

Aquatic Activity Licenses are issued to organisations for the purpose of an aquatic sport, activity, or other purpose to be conducted on State waters. During 2022-2023, 104 Aquatic Activity Licenses were issued for events such as races, exhibitions and fireworks displays.

Pilotage

The South Australian Government is responsible for issuing pilot licenses and pilotage exemptions for a vessel 35 metres or more in length which must not be navigated within a ‘prescribed area’ (compulsory pilotage area) unless the vessel is navigated under the control or at the direction of a licensed pilot; or the master of the vessel holds a Pilotage Exemption certificate; or the vessel is a Royal Australian Navy vessel.

Three Pilot Licences and 15 pilotage exemptions covering 11 different ports across South Australia were issued during 2022-2023.

Safety Operation of Vessels

The Department employs a team of Marine Safety Officers who operate throughout the State. These officers conduct routine and targeted patrols by land and by water, to observe boating behaviours and to inspect vessels for compliance and safety equipment, registration and licensing requirements.

During 2022-2023 there were 3,068 recreational vessels inspected with 33.7%
non-compliant. This was an improvement on 2021-2022 where 39.5% of vessels were non-compliant. During 2022-2023, there were 281 expiation notices issued for a total of 349 offences and 623 cautions issued to owners or operators. Most of these were issued for offences relating to failing to carry one to two items of safety equipment, lifejacket carriage and wear, failure to carry or expired flares, operating unregistered and speeding.

The following report is provided pursuant to Section 19 of the Air Transport (Route Licensing—Passenger Services) Act 2002.

Operation and administration of the Act in 2022–2023

There were no Declared Routes or Route Licenses in 2022–2023.

The principles of the Carer’s Charter are incorporated into the Department’s strategic human resource framework, onboarding, and corporate induction resource material. Guidelines and operating procedures outline the responsibilities of managers to assist employees to meet their caring obligations by providing a range of options that can be tailored to suit each employee’s personal circumstances. This includes measures such as access to family carer’s leave, flexible working hours, flexible leave arrangements and access to special leave.

South Australians with severe and permanent disabilities which limit their capacity to access public transport independently are able to apply for transport assistance such as the Plus One Free Companion card and the South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme. The Plus One Free Companion card provides assistance to people who cannot travel independently due to mobility, cognitive, sensory or communication impairment. Companions or carers accompanying Plus One Free Companion card holders may access Adelaide Metro public transport services free of charge.

The Department provides public transport information for people with a disability, their families and their carers on network accessibility via the Adelaide Metro mobile app, website, as well as the Adelaide Metro InfoLine and InfoCentres.

The range of accessibility features has been enhanced to include ramps available on all public transport services, priority and allocated seating, provision for assistance animals, alternative signage and audible information.

On 15 June 2023, the Department became an official signatory to the Equal Opportunity Commission’s We’re Equal campaign with implementation activities being planned internally and across Service SA centres and the Adelaide Railway Station.

The Department administers the Passenger Transport Act 1994 (the PT Act) and Passenger Transport Regulations 2009 by planning, regulating and funding public transport services (bus, train and tram, taxi and hire car) across South Australia. Pursuant to section 24A of the PT Act the following report is provided.

The Department has performance-based franchise contracts with bus, tram and train operators that keeps the operator focused firmly on the efficiency and quality of service delivery to customers. The government retains ownership of rail assets (including trains, trams, tracks, stations and all infrastructure); sets requirements for levels of services; continues to set the fare price for travel on bus, tram and trains and retains the revenue.

Public transport bus and tram services across metropolitan Adelaide are provided by four private transport providers, Torrens Transit Pty Ltd which operates three contract areas (East West, Outer North and Outer North East); Busways South Australia Pty Ltd which operates the Outer South contract area; and Australian Transit Enterprises Pty Ltd trading as Southlink which operates the Hills contract area. Torrens Connect (a joint venture between Torrens Transit Pty Ltd, UGL Rail Services Pty Ltd and John Holland Pty Ltd) provide both bus and light rail services in the North-South contract area.

The bus and tram contracts commenced on 5 July 2020. Rail infrastructure maintenance for tram functions (i.e. within track, civil, signalling and overhead) transitioned to Torrens Connect on 31 January 2021, in line with the commencement of the new train contract.

The Outsourced Rail Operations Agreement with Keolis Downer Adelaide commenced on 31 January 2021, for the operation and maintenance of the Adelaide Metropolitan Passenger Rail Network, which consists of six commuter routes on four main lines with the provision of asset management and rolling stock maintenance services.

In line with the South Australian Government’s election commitment to return rail to government hands, an agreement has been reached with the train operator Keolis Downer Adelaide and tram operator Torrens Connect to hand back operational functions by January 2025, and July 2025 respectively.

Public transport services in regional South Australia are administered by the Department. These include regular route services (country bus services), provincial city services, integrated transport plans, special medical-related services and Dial-a-Ride services.

The Department supports community passenger networks across regional South Australia and within metropolitan Adelaide. The Community Passenger Networks Program is established to facilitate access to transport for people who are transport disadvantaged. The program is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Home Support Program and the Department of Human Services.

The Department is committed to continually improving public transport services and infrastructure and making public transport more accessible and easier to use for all users. The metropolitan bus fleet is now 100% accessible.

The Department's Station Upgrade Program continues to upgrade selected stations along metropolitan passenger rail lines to provide safer and more efficient services for train customers, with all improvements focusing on accessibility in line with the Disability Discrimination Act 2002, for public transport services. Improved facilities for commuters include new shelters, improved lighting, platform furniture, additional cover, improved access, pedestrian crossings, bike enclosures, additional CCTV cameras, new access paths and ramps along with new car parking facilities.

Departmental officers at the Adelaide Railway Station monitor accessibility gates and provide 'sighted guide' assistance to passengers to board trains if needed. Information regarding accessible journeys is published on the Adelaide Metro website.

Adelaide Metro patronage 2022–2023

The total patronage on the public transport system increased by 26.4% compared with the previous financial year.

Total patronage by mode

Total patronage by passenger type

Total patronage by ticket type

*The figures listed above include free travel data.

Public Transport South Australia (PTSA) progressively introduced a range of additional new payment options including EMV (Eurocard, Mastercard and Visa) which allows full fare customers to tap onto the network using their credit and debit cards and new Buy & Go digital QR tickets through the Adelaide Metro Buy & Go app.

The progressive rollout of the new features and functions include:

Below are the patronage details for the new payment systems for the 2023-2024 financial year, noting that these numbers are already included in above tables.

Special event services

On 23 October 2014, an amendment to the PT Act was enacted with respect to the management and funding of public transport for special events. The aim of the legislation is to facilitate the successful planning of special events in metropolitan Adelaide by requiring mandatory notification of major events and also to provide a mechanism for the costs of additional public transport services required for the event to be recovered where the event is considered a "commercial event".

The key elements of the legislation include the requirement for venue managers to notify the Department six months in advance (or as soon as the event is known) of any event expected to attract more than 5,000 patrons and, where additional public transport services are required, that commercial events contribute to the cost of these extra services.

Events are classified as one of two different categories of event for the purposes of the legislation. The two categories are:

• Commercial Events – organised for profit where there is a fee for participants either in the form of a ticket or an indirect fee i.e. membership of a club or association; or
• Community Events – organised as not for profit, the event is open to the community and attendance is free or a voluntary donation from attendees may be sought.

Based on the information provided in the notification form, the Department will make a determination regarding the need for additional or special public transport services to cater for the event and, where extra services are required, events categorised as "commercial" will be required to fund the services.

The 2022-2023 year saw the return of many major events and large crowds following the COVID-19 pandemic. Crowds at AFL games at Adelaide Oval returned to pre-COVID levels requiring the Department’s Adelaide Oval Express services to deliver these patrons safety to and from games. Other events such as the Royal Show and Christmas Pageant also saw increased crowds as COVID restrictions and arrangements were removed. The 2022 Royal Show was the first time that patrons were required to pre-purchase tickets and metroCARDs to use on public transport, with a large portion of patrons previously using cash to purchase tickets on board.

The Department undertook a significant public communication process to advise patrons to pre-purchase tickets, resulting in a successful event and transition to metroCARD ready for the 2023 event. This financial year also saw the return of the Adelaide 500 which required a significant number of additional and special bus, train and tram services over the course of the four-day event. This was also the case for the State of Origin Rugby which was held at Adelaide Oval and was supported by Adelaide Oval Express services across the network.

In addition to these events, Adelaide hosted two significant events in 2023, being AFL's first Gather Round and LIV Golf. Both of these events were the first of their kind in Australia and required considerable planning, coordination and collaboration with a number of stakeholders. The transport plan for both events was very successful, contributing a seamless, safe and enjoyable customer experience for patrons.

Regional services

The Department regulates and contributes to funding transport services in some regional areas.

Regular route services operate across regional South Australia and link major centres to Adelaide. Services operate in the Barossa Valley, Murray Mallee, Mid North, Upper North, Far North, Riverland, Eyre, South East and Fleurieu regions.

Integrated transport services operate in the Coorong District Council, Karoonda East District Council, Murray District Council, Southern Mallee District Council, Mid Murray District Council, Southern Yorke Peninsula, Tatiara District Council, Eastern Riverland, Upper North, Mid North, Adelaide Hills, Victor Harbor and on Kangaroo Island.

Dial-a-Ride door to door services are provided in Victor Harbor, Port Lincoln, Murray Bridge, the Copper Coast and Barossa Valley. These supplement regular timetabled services and extend the range of public transport options for these communities.

In 2022-2023, the Department completed the tender process for the 14 Phase 1 Regional Bus Service contracts, with the new contracts commencing on 1 October 2023. The funding for regional bus passenger services included in the 2022-2023 State Budget will ensure that current regional bus service levels are maintained. The State Budget funding will also ensure that all vehicles used for regional services comply with mandatory disability standards. The remaining Phase 2 contracts are scheduled to be released for tender in late 2023.

Based on data provided by regional bus operators, regional bus patronage in 2022-2023 was 599,705, an increase of 7.90% from the previous year.

The 2022-2023 patronage is at a similar level to the 2020-2021 data, recovering from the additional COVID-19 impacts in 2021-2022 (the State-wide lockdown in July 2021 and the opening of the border in November 2021).

Provincial city bus services

Regular passenger services operate in South Australia's provincial cities of Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Whyalla, Port Augusta, Murray Bridge and Mount Gambier. Provincial city services are a combination of town and school services.

In the four years prior to the start of COVID-19, provincial city bus service patronage decreased by an average of 1.6% each year.

Based on data provided by provincial city bus operators, patronage in 2022-2023 was 312,712, a decrease of 1.29% from the previous year. As with the other regional bus services, the decrease is due to passengers appearing to have changed their travel habits or choosing alternative options, such as telehealth appointments, on-line shopping and delivery services.

Complaints, commendations and submissions

Feedback on public transport

Feedback from customers about passenger transport services is welcomed as it provides the ability to improve and assess existing services and practices. Customers are presented with multiple opportunities to provide their feedback through the Adelaide Metro website, Adelaide Metro InfoLine and InfoCentre, as well as social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Complaints represented 0.03% of total public transport patronage (initial boardings and transfers) in the 2022-2023 reporting year, with an increase of 2,932 (24%) compared to the previous year. There was an increase of 148 commendations (21%) compared to the previous year.

The table below shows feedback information on public transport.

Feedback on taxi and Small Passenger Vehicle (SPV) services

The Department receives complaints and commendations regarding taxis and small passenger vehicles. Complaints may lead to disciplinary action if a breach of the regulations under the PT Act is found to have occurred.

The table below shows feedback information on taxis and SPVs.

As at June 2023, there were 5,572 small passenger vehicles in the metropolitan area that can provide point to point services; an increase from 4,974 in 2021-2022.

Waiting times

The taxi Centralised Booking Services reported that the average waiting time for general taxis in metropolitan Adelaide for 2022-2023 was 6 minutes and 30 seconds during the day (6am to 6pm), and 8 minutes and 30 seconds at night (6pm to 6am). The figures include waiting times for phone-booked, hailed and taxi rank trips and meet the prescribed waiting time of 12 minutes, as stated in the conditions for accreditation.

There were 1,035 general licences in metropolitan Adelaide in 2022-2023, noting that not all licences were operational.

Access Taxis

The taxi Centralised Booking Services reported that the average waiting time for Access Taxis in metropolitan Adelaide for 2022-2023 was 5 minutes and 25 seconds during the day (6am to 6pm) on weekdays and 5 minutes and 30 seconds on weekends, and 13 minutes and 25 seconds at night (6pm to 6am) on weekdays and 13 minutes and 30 seconds on weekends.

Average waiting times for Access Taxis improved from 2021-2022, when the average waiting times were 6 minutes and 13 seconds during the day (6am to 6pm) on weekdays and 8 minutes and 3 seconds on weekends, and 17 minutes and 44 seconds on a weekday night (6pm to 6am).

Approximately 5,002 Access Taxi jobs took more than 30 minutes to pick up the passenger. This compares with 9,286 in 2022-2023, representing a reduction of 53%.

As at 30 June 2023, there are 102 general licences with special conditions (Access Taxis), noting that not all licences are operational.

Passenger Transport Standards Committee

The Passenger Transport Standards Committee (PTSC) is a statutory committee, established under the PT Act, responsible for exercising disciplinary powers under Part 4, Division 5 of the PT Act and for exercising or performing such other powers or functions as may be conferred by the Minister from time to time.

In 2022-2023, the PTSC sat on 103 occasions and considered 1,077 matters which comprised:

• 190 accreditation applications; and
• 887 disciplinary matters.

Of the 887 disciplinary matters, the PTSC:

• suspended the accreditation of 377 accredited persons for a period of time;
• revoked the accreditation of 480 accredited persons and disqualified them for a period of time; and
• permanently disqualified 1 person from holding accreditation under the PT Act.

The remainder were dealt with by other actions, such as a fine, reprimand, caution issued; or found to have no cause to answer.

Disciplinary matters included people who failed to demonstrate they met the standards and requirements to hold an accreditation under the PT Act.

Temporary suspensions primarily related to administrative matters, such as the suspension of a driver’s licence through the fines enforcement system, or following an alcohol related driving offence or after the expiry of annual medical clearances. In these instances, the suspension remains until the driver’s licence has been reinstated or until the updated medical report is provided indicating that the person meets the commercial medical standards to drive a public passenger vehicle.

The majority of accreditation revocations relate to interstate driver’s licence transfers, as a driver cannot hold an accreditation in South Australia if they do not live in the state (with the exception of cross-border workers). Others had their accreditation revoked because their working with children check had been revoked, or their driver’s licence was disqualified or cancelled.

After holding an enquiry, the PTSC found no cause for disciplinary action against four accredited persons, while the remaining accredited persons were fined or reprimanded.

In addition to the above disciplinary matters, the PTSC also placed conditions on the accreditation of three persons.

An increase in disciplinary measures can be attributed to several factors:

• There has been an increase in passenger transport activity in the recovery from COVID-19.
• There are more on-road compliance officers undertaking more enforcement activities.
• Implementation of business process improvements in the administration of licence regulation and the accreditation of medical requirements.

Note: the Department has improved processes to more effectively identify, report and action complaints this financial year which contributed to the increase in complaints recorded compared to last financial year.

Data for previous years is available at: https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/public-complaints-received-by-the-department-of-planning-transport-and-infrastructure

Data for previous years is available at: https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/public-complaints-received-by-the-department-of-planning-transport-and-infrastructure

Service SA

Report on how your organisation has improved its complaints management system, set new KPI’s or updated system features:

• Trends in complaints and ministerials discussed regularly at team meetings and improvements are tracked.
• Regular reporting data is used to audit complaints data.

Service improvements resulting from complaints or consumer suggestions:

• Two Factor Authentication introduced on mySAGOV accounts to increase security.
• Password requirements updated for mySAGOV account holders. Where a password doesn’t meet the new complexity requirements, customers are asked to create a stronger password at the next log in.
• mySAGOV now uses a password verification service to check if a password has been compromised. If mySAGOV detects a password may have been compromised, the account holder is asked to choose another password when creating a new account or at the next log in.
• Optus and Latitude Financial Services Data breaches resulted in extended opening hours and a new transaction in the mySAGOV account to allow impacted customers to apply for a replacement licence online. The usual replacement licence fee was waived for impacted customers.
• Five Service SA centres at Elizabeth, Marion, Modbury, Prospect and Seaford Meadows open 9am-5pm every Saturday (excluding public holidays) from 6 May 2023.