Vital transport infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the increased activity being driven by South Australia’s burgeoning defence industry have now commenced.

With Osborne gearing up to become the home of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program, the Albanese and Malinauskas Labor Governments are delivering $100 million package of upgrades to ready the Lefevre Peninsula’s road network.

Transport, utility and social infrastructure upgrades are needed to accommodate the expanding workforce and enable successful delivery of the AUKUS program.

The Lefevre Peninsula upgrades include:

• realignment and upgrade of the Victoria Road and Pelican Point Road junction 
• upgrades to the Victoria Road and Veitch Road junction
• improved bike access, footpaths and new landscaping adjacent to the upgrades
• new LED road lighting, line marking and drainage.

Early works, which include establishing a site, levelling the ground and clearing vegetation, are now underway at the corner of Victoria and Pelican Point roads.

Soil preloading earthworks are also underway and will prepare the soft soil for major construction by compressing the ground layers until they become firm enough to hold the approach roads.

These works are being done in close coordination with SA Water’s works in the area.

Equally funded by the Australian and South Australian governments, the $100 million project will support future growth of passenger, freight and defence industry traffic. This will ensure the road network continues to operate safely and efficiently.

Major construction on the Lefevre Peninsula upgrades is expected to commence in early 2027. The project will support the creation of 200 jobs per year for the life of the project.

To accommodate future growth, the Australian and South Australian governments have also committed $7.5 million each over two years in their 2026-27 Budgets to complete a planning study and business case to identify further transport infrastructure upgrades required to support increased demand.

The South Australian Government also recently announced a proposal to establish its first dedicated State Development Area (SDA) at Osborne.

The SDA would establish a central point for the coordination, planning and facilitation of economic and infrastructure development within this important industrial precinct.

For more information about the Lefevre Peninsula upgrades, visit https://dit.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/projects/lefevre-peninsula-upgrades-project. 

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“The northern Lefevre Peninsula is a significant economic growth area in South Australia, supporting key industries including the defence expansion at Osborne.

“The Albanese Government is proud to be working with the Malinauskas Government to improve road safety for South Australians and local industry.

“Once complete, the project will improve traffic efficiency for heavy vehicles and passenger traffic.”

Quotes attributable to South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Joe Szakacs:

“The Lefevre Peninsula precinct is undergoing rapid change as Australia undertakes one of the largest defence infrastructure and workforce programs in its history to deliver nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS. 

“South Australia is at the centre of this effort, with more than $30 billion in projected investment at Osborne over coming decades.

“The precinct also hosts Adelaide’s container terminal, the Viterra grain terminal, and the cruise ship terminal, along with multiple energy assets, so upgrades to local roads and infrastructure are crucial to handle the extra traffic, keep freight moving and make travel safer for everyone.

“We are also focused on the people who live in these communities, who deserve roads that are safer, journeys that are more reliable, and neighbourhoods that remain great places to live.

“Along with the proposal for the recently announced State Development Area, these upgrades on the Lefevre Peninsula will support job creation, investment attraction and provide broader community benefits such as improved infrastructure, increased business activity and community development.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Hindmarsh Mark Butler:

“The Lefevre Peninsula continues to grow.

“We’re upgrading this critical road network to make sure it continues to operate safely and efficiently.”

Quote attributable to State Member for Port Adelaide Cheyne Rich:

“As a local in Taperoo, I use Victoria Road daily.

“One of the first things I did after being elected was take Minister Szakacs on a tour around my community so he could see the transport and infrastructure needs firsthand.

“I’m pleased work is underway on this first important step. There’s more to do but the community on the peninsula can see the work currently underway and the future transport study as an assurance that we’re taking their concerns seriously.”