Dear Mrs Irwin

Thank you for your letter dated 4 September 2008 about the petition submitted to the Standing Committee on Petitions regarding the King Street Bridge in Glenelg North, South Australia.

In response to the petition, I would note that the Australian Government committed nearly $1.1 billion over the next five years towards land transport infrastructure in South Australia during the 2007 election. The Australian and South Australian governments have commenced discussions on the project timing and funding arrangements for the land transport investment program for 2009-10 to 2013-14.

Responsibility for the King Street Bridge rests with the local council, the City of Holdfast Bay. The Australian Government, for its part, provides a significant level of financial assistance to local governments to assist them in upgrading and maintaining their local road systems. Funds are provided under the Roads to Recovery, Strategic Regional and Black Spot programs, as well as through Untied Local Road and General Purpose Financial Assistance Grants. In 2008-09, the City of Holdfast Bay will receive some $1.4 million from the Australian Government. The City of Holdfast Bay is free to use some of this funding to upgrade the King Street Bridge.

Thank you for raising this matter.

from the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Mr Albanese, to a petition presented on 1 September by Mrs Irwin (from 1,050 citizens)