SA budget 2017: What you need to know

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South Australia's Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis has revealed his fourth budget, the last before the 2018 state election. Here's what you need to know:

Who'll be happy:

With an election approaching, the State Government has set aside money to woo voters in marginal seats.

It will offer community grants for anyone who wants to pitch an idea to fix up something in their local area.

It is also upgrading South Road between Seaford and Aldinga, and building two new schools — one in the north and one in the south.

Who won't be happy:

Following the Federal Government's lead, this budget targets the banks, as well as foreign investors — neither of whom vote.

The 2017-18 budget also targets the Federal Government itself.

The State Government has committed its share of the money for two big infrastructure projects, the South Road upgrade and Gawler Electrification project.

But money for those projects is contingent on the Federal Government spending its own cash.

Jobs and unemployment

The budget centrepiece is a $200-million Future Jobs Fund, including loans and grants for businesses to employ more people.

But it's not all new money — the $200 million figure ropes in extensions to some existing programs, like the Tourism Bid Fund and the Industry Attraction Fund.

The State Government's already announced some extra payroll tax relief and increased grants for businesses that employ trainees and apprentices.

Energy security

The State Government's already working on implementing its $550-million Energy Plan, to help it "take charge of the state's energy future and deliver reliable, affordable and clean power".

It includes money for the Government's new gas-fired power plant, a Renewable Energy Technology Fund, a large-scale battery and exploration grants.

Health

$528 million will be used on a new Women's Hospital, to be located next to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital on North Terrace.

There will be a $250-million upgrade of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, including a new emergency department, operating theatre, day surgery suite, new outpatients and medical imaging services, and a new brain and spinal injury rehabilitation service.

There will be a new $52.5-million emergency department at the Lyell McEwin Hospital in Adelaide's north.

$3.5 million will be spent on two new operating theatres at the Flinders Medical Centre.

$9.2 million has been set aside for an eight-bed Emergency Extended Care Unit at the Modbury Hospital in Adelaide's north-east.

Money has been set aside for a 24-hour emergency care facility at Mount Barker Hospital, at a cost of $6.7 million. $44 million has been allocated for a second South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI 2)

A new older persons' mental health facility will be built in the wake of the Oakden scandal, at a cost of $13.7 million.

$195 million has also been allocated to support health in the state, following the controversy of Transforming Health.

Infrastructure

$415 million will be spent over three years on upgrading South Road between Regency Road and Pym Street. The State Government has offered to pay 20 per cent of that cost, and has asked the Federal Government to pay the rest.

$242.5 million has been allocated to stage two of the Gawler Electrification Project over the next four years, which is about half the total cost of the project. The State Government will need the Federal Government to match its contribution.

$305 million has been set aside for the first stage of upgrades along South Road between Seaford and Sellicks Beach, to begin in 2019.

The intersection of Springbank, Daws and Goodwood roads will be redesigned, but the project has not been costed.

$40 million will go to a new Fund My Neighbourhood program, to be used on community projects suggested by the public.

$60 million will be used to redevelop sporting facilities across the state.

About $9 million will be spent on upgrades to jetties at Port Bonython, Port Noarlunga, Whyalla, Henley Beach and Semaphore.

Education

The State Government will build two new birth-to-Year 12 schools through a public-private partnership by 2022 — one in the Munno Para region in Adelaide's north, and the other in the Aldinga or Sellicks Beach region in Adelaide's south.

A new healthy eating pilot program for schools, SA Fruit for SA Kids will begin in term four, at a cost $600,000 over two years.

Cost of living

Grants for people who want to buy apartments off the plan have been beefed up and extended to investors.

First homebuyers who want to buy an apartment in the city will now be able to get up to $40,500 in assistance.

There will be an average increase of about 2.2 per cent for public transport tickets, motor vehicle registrations, drivers' licence renewals and speeding fines.

Taxes and charges

Banks will have to pay a quarterly levy of 0.015 per cent on bonds and deposits over $250,000 — but not on mortgages and ordinary household deposits.

It is expected the measure will raise about $370 million over the next four years, with the Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, Westpac, ANZ and Macquarie Bank liable to pay.

A new 4 per cent foreign buyer stamp duty surcharge will apply to residential property purchases from January 1, 2018.

The State Government has already announced some extra payroll tax relief, and increased grants for businesses that employ trainees and apprentices.

Law and safety

$86.5 million will go towards looking after children in state care over the next two years.

Another judge will join the Supreme Court, with staff, at a cost of $778,000.

An additional 160 beds will be added to the Mount Gambier Prison, costing $38.8 million.

$31 million will be spent on redeveloping the higher courts' precinct, including an additional two jury rooms for the Sir Samuel Way building.

There will be $2.9 million spent on extra resources for the Coroner's Court over the next two years, including the appointment of a second deputy coroner.

Transport

$22.4 million will be used to increase train services on the Gawler, Outer Harbor, Belair and Seaford lines.

$15 million will be spent building multi-level Park'n'Ride facilities at Tea Tree Plaza and Klemzig.

The Blackwood Roundabout will receive an upgrade worth $3.5 million.

$1.1 million will go towards an upgrade of the Mount Gambier Airport.

Environment

$8.2 million has been set aside for the first stage of the State Government's Hydrogen Roadmap. That money will cover a new hydrogen production facility and a trial of six hydrogen-fuelled buses.

$275,000 will be used to create 10 parking spots with electric vehicle charging facilities and other re-charging stations.

Business and industry

Payments under the Jobs Accelerator Grants program have been boosted by as much as $5,000 for some businesses, to be backdated to July 2016.

Payroll tax has been lowered to a flat rate of 2.5 per cent, and relief extended to more businesses with wage bills between $1.2 and $1.5 million.

Stamp duty concessions of $15,500 for off-the-plan apartments will be extended for a further 12 months.

A new $10,000 pre-construction grant will be introduced for contracts signed over the next three months for off-the-plan apartments in buildings yet to be built.

Regions

160 beds will be added to the Mount Gambier Prison, costing $38.8 million.

$1.1 million will go towards an upgrade of the Mount Gambier Airport.

The Whyalla Jetty and waterfront area will receive a $1.4 million redevelopment.

Topics: budget, government-and-politics, states-and-territories, state-parliament, parliament, local-government, sa, adelaide-5000, australia