South Australia Debates Whether Toll Roads Should Help Fund Major Infrastructure Projects
The question of whether South Australia should introduce toll roads has re-emerged following the release of the state budget and ongoing discussion about the cost of major infrastructure projects.
State debt is projected to increase over the coming years, partly due to large projects such as the Torrens to Darlington (T2D) motorway. In many Australian and international jurisdictions, toll roads are used to help fund the construction and maintenance of major transport infrastructure. South Australia, however, remains the only mainland state without toll roads.
A recent Advertiser poll found that respondents were divided on whether the planned T2D tunnels should be tolled, with a slight majority supporting the idea and a substantial minority opposed.
Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis has stated that the South Australian Government is not considering tolls for the project. He argued that tolling could discourage drivers from using the tunnels and instead lead them to continue using surface roads. He also noted that the government intends to manage debt through future budget surpluses rather than toll revenue.
Public responses to the issue reflect a range of views. Some people argue that users of major infrastructure should contribute directly to its costs through tolls, particularly when such projects provide faster and more convenient travel. Others contend that roads should remain free to use after being funded through taxes and are concerned that tolls could place additional financial pressure on motorists.
Some commentators have also pointed to South Australia’s historical resistance to road tolls, noting that previous tolling arrangements were unpopular. Others suggest that changing transport needs and rising infrastructure costs may justify reconsidering the approach.
Topic: That we should say yes to toll roads in Adelaide.