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The agency's performance

Performance at a glance

The agency has achieved the following:

  • Contributed to response and support to government in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the continuation of DIT critical services, and work to maintain the safety of staff, contractors, customers, and consumers of DIT services.
  • Advanced the technical analysis and preparation of the final business case, reference designs and on-ground investigations for the North-South corridor River Torrens to Darlington project that will complete the North-South corridor.
  • Completed the procurement and transitioned to the new state-wide road maintenance contracts and delivered a range of stimulus funded programs to improve road safety and maintenance conditions.
  • Transitioned to new contracts and service providers for the Adelaide metropolitan bus and tram network and procured and transitioned to a new service provider for the Adelaide metropolitan train network.
  • Finalised a new target operating model and commenced implementation for the future Across Government Facilities Management Arrangements that responds to recommendations arising from reviews by the Auditor-General, Ombudsman, Safework SA and the Productivity Commission.
  • Completed major works on the Birkenhead bridge, to ensure the State Heritage bridge’s long term structural integrity and safety for all users.
  • Completed the $754.4 million Darlington Upgrade Project, one of the state’s largest and most complex road projects and a key link to Adelaide’s southern suburbs and tourism hotspots on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
  • Opened the Regency to Pym Street Upgrade to traffic, one of the last remaining links in the North-South Corridor creating a 47km non-stop motorway between Gawler and the River Torrens.
  • Improved the daily commute for tens of thousands of Hills motorists by adding a third lane on the South Eastern Freeway between Crafers and Stirling.
  • Delivered over $100 million of road safety improvement treatments on regional roads as part a stimulus program.
  • Procured and executed contracts for new transport infrastructure construction work of approximately $1 billion.
  • Reopened the Cape Jervis jetty following remedial works including the removal of disused fenders, propping, and levelling the deck and bracing several piles. Sealink ferry services were able to maintain their normal schedule of operations during the repair works.
  • Commenced the Flinders Link rail service in December 2020, extending the existing Tonsley rail line and creating an elevated single track over Sturt Road.
  • Streamlined the vehicle inspection system for taxis, rideshares, buses and chauffeur vehicles to save time and money for owners, and provide them with increased flexibility to do business.
  • Increased the capacity to perform marine safety checks by triple following the implementation of a new mobile and web software application. The new tool allows officers to spend more time on the water inspecting marine vessels and reduces the requirement to manually enter data.
  • Managed the leasing of space required for Government offices and facilities maintaining a vacancy rate of below 1%.
  • Progressed the delivery of approximately 150 separate social infrastructure construction projects cumulatively valued at over $4.6 billion to upgrade existing and develop new schools, correctional facilities, hospitals, sporting facilities and cultural centres on time and within budget.
  • Completed over 200,000 works orders to maintain current facilities as safe and fit for purpose, enabling the delivery of a range of essential and important government services.

Agency response to COVID-19

DIT’s involvement in the COVID-19 pandemic response continues focusing on our internal response to ensure the health and safety of staff and ongoing service provision to the community.

DIT personnel provides government transport and construction advice through the State Emergency Centre, and other forums, to the State Coordinator and Chief Public Health Officer to minimise disruptions to government services. DIT liaises with industry, local, state, and federal jurisdictions to support the transport and infrastructure sectors to ensure the economic wellbeing of the state.

Agency contribution to whole of Government objectives

Key objectiveAgency's contribution
More jobs Efficient and effective delivery of infrastructure projects.
Greater participation of medium and small businesses through procurement.
Sustainable development through strategic transport and infrastructure delivery.
Local participation policies for procured services.
Lower costs Improved governance and investment decisions.
Rejuvenation and growth through reuse of existing buildings and assets.
Better Services Public transport which reflects community need.
Community engagement across major projects.
 Service SA providing enhanced customer service through digitisation.
Maximising efficiency of programs and services.
More efficient movement of local, interstate, and international freight.

Agency specific objectives and performance

DIT is committed to implementing key reform and delivering major projects to create more jobs for the community and provide better public services that deliver long term benefits to the state.

Highlights of the 2020-21 financial year include:

Agency ObjectivesIndicatorsPerformance
Effective Planning Policy Infrastructure Planning

Completed detailed submissions on new initiatives for the Infrastructure Australia Infrastructure Priority List including Level Crossing Congestion and Safety, Public Transport Capacity and Access, Outer Ring Route Capacity, High Productivity Network Access, and Road Network Maintenance.


Completed planning studies and business cases for important transport infrastructure initiatives including: the Strzelecki Track, Regional Roads upgrades, Princes Highway Corridor improvements, Roads of Strategic Importance, Victor Harbor Road Duplication and Main South Road Duplication.


Finalised the Hahndorf Traffic Study and commenced community engagement.

Made submissions and completed scoping to support commencement of a range of economic stimulus infrastructure initiatives to sustain employment and support economic growth including regional road safety treatments, urban road pavement rehabilitation, bridge improvements, marine facilities upgrades and road maintenance works.

Continued to develop business cases and participate in governance assurance reviews on projects for assessment by Infrastructure South Australia.

Effective Transport Services Customer Focused services

Completed a review of public transport payments systems and fare compliance models and mapped the options for future government consideration to inform the development of a planned next generation ticketing system.

Completed the design of a new customer information rule book to support a new wayfinding system that makes it easier to navigate around the public transport system and commenced roll out of new signage.

Delivered a successful ticketing pilot on the tram fleet, enabling customers to pay for their trip using a credit or debit card, without the need to pre-purchase a ticketed product.

Delivered amenity improvements for the three O-Bahn bus interchanges and the Old Reynella bus interchange to improve passenger experience and safety.

Delivered minor upgrades to stations, rail track and Interchanges to improve the overall experience for customers.

Implemented the first stage of a new digital experience for South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme taxi travel, leading to improved service to scheme members and efficiencies for the taxi industry.

Introduced new advanced data analytics tools to support fine tuning and optimising run times for routes on the metropolitan bus network, reducing travel times for passengers.

Valuable social and economic infrastructure Customer Focused services

Opened new Service SA centres in Mount Barker and Port Adelaide with a focus on digital services through assisted self-service and digital kiosks and incorporating improvements to the concierge and customer flows within the service model.

Implemented processes for taxi, rideshare, bus and chauffeured vehicle owners no longer required to attend a Service SA centre to renew registration.

Valuable social and economic infrastructure Enhancement of current transport of infrastructure

Completed remedial works and commenced the design of new ferry berthing structures for Cape Jervis and Penneshaw harbours, and undertook several other improvements to the marine network.

Undertook risk analysis to prioritise the program of stimulus funded road safety works on high-traffic regional road corridors that include shoulder sealing, audio-tactile line marking, pavement remediation, junction lighting and other improvements, and the installation of safety barriers.

Resurfaced and rehabilitated approximately 198 lane kilometres to improve ride quality on inner urban roads, and resealed and rehabilitated 78 lane kilometres on rural roads.

Valuable social and economic infrastructure Progress of major transport infrastructure projects, programs and planning studies

Completed the NSC-Darlington Upgrade project and opened the NSC-Regency Road to Pym Street project more than six months ahead of schedule.

Completed works on the South Eastern Freeway, Managed Motorway Measures project from Stirling to Crafers, and completed pavement rehabilitation from the Toll Gate to the Tunnels.

Completed Golden Grove Road Stage 1 Upgrade, and commenced main construction works on the Granite Island Causeway Refurbishment and Flagstaff Road Widening projects.

Completed the Extension of the Tonsley Rail Line to the Flinders Medical Centre project and handed it over to operations, completed the Paradise Park’n’Ride on the O-Bahn, advanced the electrification of the Gawler Line Electrification project, and commenced the Ovingham Level Crossing Grade Separation project.

Completed construction of a number of projects including the Karoonda Area School pool replacement, the Angle Park SAMFS Training Centre, Carrick Hill Heritage Refurbishment and a number of schools projects that form part of the Department for Education’s capital works program.

Completed remedial works to the façade of the State Administration Centre, progressed remediation of other key state-owned CBD offices, and progressed the delivery of the Festival Plaza upgrade, with completion and opening of the stages of the public domain around the Adelaide Railway Station precinct.

Progressed the delivery of a further 70+ school upgrade projects as part of the Department for Education’s capital works program that will support the transition to year 7 in early 2022.

Progressed a suite of transport network studies on priority corridors and key programs identified in the 20 year State Infrastructure Strategy including Cross Road, Portrush Road, Payneham Road, Main North Road, Brighton Road, Unley Road and the LeFevre Peninsula.

Commenced main construction works on the Duplication of the Joy Baluch AM Bridge and Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication projects, sealed approximately 70 kilometres of the Strzelecki Track and commenced construction on a number of projects on key intrastate and interstate routes (including the Barrier Highway, Princes Highway, Dukes Highway, Eyre Highway and Horrocks Highway).

Commenced main construction works on congestion busting intersection upgrades including the Goodwood/Springbank/Daws Road, Portrush/Magill Road, Main North/Kings/McIntyre Road, Grand Junction/Hampstead/Briens Road, and Main North Road/Nottage Terrace intersection upgrades.

Commenced works on the Portrush and Magill Road Intersection Upgrade and Ovingham Level Crossing Removal. Developed new and updated advanced data analytics and modelling tools that performs analysis of the Strategic Transport Network to provide traffic modelling inputs for the North-South corridor design and the suite of other transport network planning studies.

Safe, Reliable and Efficient Movement Speed / Safety Management initiatives Undertook stakeholder and community engagement to inform the next ten year Road Safety Strategy for South Australia to reduce lives lost and serious injuries for all road users.

 Coordinated and supported the passage of legislation through parliament that enhances the Motorcycle Graduated Licensing Scheme and will further protect novice riders.

Trialled the expansion of the On the Right Track program extending it from the APY Lands into other aboriginal communities to provide targeted education on safe driving practices.

 Developed the framework and undertook rapid assessment to identify priority regional roads for Commonwealth partner funded Road Safety Packages as part of the stimulus program.

Corporate Performance Summary

During the 2020-2021 financial year, our People and Corporate Services Division enabled effective organisational performance by:

  • Coordinating the Department’s COVID-19 response including high engagement with staff, the adaption of flexible workplaces and delivery of rapid information technology tools for deployment.
  • Supporting the State Government’s response to COVID-19 through the mobilisation of departmental staff.
  • Leading a workforce transformation program to enable major reform programs, organising and managing an effective redeployment and retraining program.
  • Preparing the Department’s Reconciliation Action Plan for July 2021 – June 2024 with Reconciliation South Australia and Reconciliation Australia. This is a Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan under Reconciliation Australia’s Reflect, Innovate, Stretch, and Elevate (RISE) framework and commits the Department to build on its successes and achievements from the previous Plan and endeavours to meet new targets.
  • Delivering sound contributions to legislation amendments with bi-partisan support working collaboratively with Sate Government agencies.
  • Documenting business requirements and releasing the tender for a departmental Procurement and Contract Management System software.
  • Realigning finance, procurement, HR, legal and risk functions to ensure DIT’s focus and capabilities are aligned with Department strategy and objectives.
  • Developing a program of priority technology and business improvement projects.
  • Reviewing all elements of the Department’s Safety Management System.
  • Supporting operation of internal governance committees and working groups to ensure an effective control framework and appropriate oversight of decision making for departmental programs and initiatives.

Employment opportunity programs

Program namePerformance
Internship COVID-19 restrictions limited our opportunity to offer placements during 2020/21. There continued to be a strong interest, with applications received from university undergraduates for unpaid placements across a range of discipline areas. Some of these were referred to participate in our Undergraduate Vacation Employment Program.
Undergraduate Vacation Employment

The Undergraduate Vacation Employment Program offered university students who are undertaking an undergraduate degree, to do paid work placements with the practical experience to develop skills in their chosen discipline.

Over the 2020/21 summer break, 11 undergraduates from across South Australian Universities worked on projects in a range of disciplines including business, law, marketing and communications, engineering and construction management.

Graduate Program Approximately 35 graduates are employed across the agency from a range of discipline areas. A majority of the graduates, as part of DIT’s Graduate Development Program have completed a Certificate IV in Project Management Practice through TAFE SA. The Graduates have taken part in a comprehensive Graduate Development Program through education (formal training, workshops and online learning), exposure (coaching, mentoring, feedback and shadowing) and experience (job rotations, on the job learning, projects and activities).
Skilling SA

The Skilling South Australia – SA Government Apprenticeship Signature Project is designed to contribute to government’s objective to create more than 20,800 additional apprenticeships and traineeships over four years to support more South Australians into meaningful, long term careers and to upskill existing employees.

In the 2020/21 financial year, the third year of the program, DIT’s target of 22 was exceeded with the engagement of 18 new Graduates and upskilling 10 existing employees under the program.

Agency performance management and development systems

Performance management and development systemPerformance
DIT Operating Procedure 008: Managing Our People

DIT’s blended learning model for employees provides 70% of learning through on the job experience, 20% through mentoring, coaching and networks and 10% through formal training programs. It ensures learning and development is not only achieved through formal education and structured learning, but is reliant on both experiences and exposure to others, a blended learning approach.

During 2020-21, $1.89 million was invested in formal learning and development for employees.

79.4% of employees (including managers and executives) completed formal performance management reviews as at 30 June 2021.

DIT continues to maintain a performance culture underpinned by regular conversations between employees and managers to develop capability and review progress against performance standards and role outcomes. In 2021-22, DIT is implementing an enhanced performance management framework, including delivering a training program to employees and managers to enhance the skills to have critical conversations, and providing resources and online tools to support employees and managers to document priorities and outcomes.

Executive Performance Executive performance continues to be monitored through the enhanced executive performance reporting process, specifically through an executive aligned Performance and Learning Agreement assessment.

Work health, safety and return to work programs

Program namePerformance
Influenza Vaccination Program The percentage of employees participating in the Influenza Vaccination Program increased from 61% in 2020 to 65% in 2021. The program was run across 36 worksites with a total of 48 sessions.
Feedback from participants was positive with no operational changes recommended to next year’s program.
Employee Assistance Program Fourteen worksites utilising the onsite walk and talk service. The traditional face to face services has an average utilisation rate of 3.7%.
 The effectiveness of the program is based on feedback received through customer satisfaction surveys. Respondents indicated that 86% were satisfied with the service provided.
Wellbeing Program DIT’s Wellbeing Program also includes initiatives such as Mental Health First Aid and the promotion of community events such as R U Ok Day and SafeWork Month. The Department also supports workers participation in the ‘Game On’ Corporate Cup with 229 workers participating in 2020.
Rehabilitation Programs (Return to Work Program) DIT’s Injury Management and Return to Work Program (Rehabilitation) is administered by the Department of Treasury and Finance, Return to Work Services. DIT works in close collaboration with all parties to facilitate successful return to work outcomes for all involved.
The Department’s Early Intervention Program continues to play an essential role in ensuring injured workers get the support they need as soon as possible
Workplace injury claims Current Year 2020-21 Past Year 2019-20 % Change (+/-)
Total new workplace injury claims 67 97 -31%
Fatalities 0 0 N/A
Seriously injured workers* 1 0 +100%
Significant injuries (where lost time exceeds a working week, expressed as frequency rate per 1000 FTE) 7.63 7.32 +4%

*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)

Work health and safety regulations Current Year 2020-21 Past Year 2019-20 % Change (+/-)
Number of notifiable incidents (Work Health and Safety act 2012, Part 3) 30 24 +7%
Number of provisional improvement, improvement and prohibition notices (Work Health and Safety Act 2012 Sections 90, 191 and 195) 14 15 -20%
Return to work costs** Current Year 2020-21 Past Year 2019-20 % Change (+/-)
Total gross workers compensation expenditure ($) 3,904,942 2,712,332 +44%
Income support payments - gross ($) 1,234,368 913,176 +35%

**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

Executive employment in the agency

Executive classificationNumber of executives
EXEC0F 1
SAES1 30
SAES2 15

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.