30 September 2025
The Greens have today announced that they will make the extension of the tram network a key election issue and lobby the next State Government to finally complete the extensions to Norwood and North Adelaide proposed by Labor in 2018.
The policy was launched today by Greens MLC Robert Simms and Lead Upper House candidate Melanie Selwood alongside candidates for Adelaide and Dunstan Brontë Colmer and Christel Mex.
This is the Greens’ first major policy announcement of the state election campaign.
Under the plan the tram line would be extended to North Adelaide along King William Road and O'Connell Street (as the first phase of an extension to Prospect) and to Norwood, with both routes serviced by twelve new trams to achieve 10-minute frequency.
The Greens estimate that the project could cost approximately $759 million (including the cost of upgrading the Adelaide Bridge) based on Labor’s 2018 costings adjusted for inflation.
Quotes attributable to Robert Simms Greens MLC
“The Greens want to see the tram extension back on the agenda for this state election and urge both the Labor and Liberal parties to get on board with our plan.”
“Sadly, during this term Labor has focussed almost exclusively on roads and infrastructure for cars at the expense of any major public transport expansion. Yesterday's announcement that they will save commuters less than 5 minutes a day along the Gawler line really doesn't cut it."
“With the population of North Adelaide on the rise with the new 88 O’Connell Street development, now really is the time to put the tram extension back on the agenda.”
“This proposal is based on Labor’s own plan from 2018. It’s costed and has broad public support.”
“Just last week, the Greens secured a major win when the opposition backed our proposal for 50 cent fares. I’m hoping that Labor and the Liberals will get on board with this plan too.”
Quotes attributable to Melanie Selwood, Lead Upper House candidate:
“Unless we expand public transport Adelaide’s traffic will get even worse. Every additional kilometre of tram track means fewer cars on the road, less congestion, and a significant reduction in carbon emissions.”
“No matter who is in Government, the Greens will be campaigning hard to get the tram extension project back on track.”