• South Australia’s top tourism towns announced
• Record high South Australian representation at BIO 23
• South Australian packaging company announces sustainability objectives
• Horasis to host first Australian summit in Adelaide
• Adelaide Convention Centre soaring towards a record year
• Resources sector eyes state budget
• American and South Australian universities form partnership ahead of AUKUS
• International praise for Life Care’s Gaynes Park Suites
• South Australian builders receive top awards on the national stage

South Australia’s top tourism towns announced

The 2023 SA Top Tourism Town Award winners were announced by the Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TiCSA) last week at the South Australian Tourism Conference.

Victor Harbor was named the state’s Top Tourism Town and won the People’s Choice award.

The Small Tourism Town award was received by the outback town of Coober Pedy.

Port Broughton on the Yorke Peninsula was awarded the 2023 Tiny Tourism Town.

“We congratulate the winners and the entrants of the 2023 South Australian Top Tourism Town Awards for their contributions to the vibrancy and appeal of our state’s tourism industry,” said TiCSA Chief Executive Officer, Shaun de Bruyn.

“Each tourism town adds its own distinct charm to South Australia, providing amazing experiences to visitors from within SA, around Australia, and around the world.”

The three winning towns will represent South Australia at the national Australian Top Tourism Town Awards later this year.

– Elisabeth Marie

Trade and Investment Minister Nick Champion and UniSA Deputy Director Future Industries Institute Professor Allison Cowin will be attending BIO 23.

Record high South Australian representation at BIO 23

A group of 16 South Australian delegates will attend the BIO 23 International Convention in Boston today.

The record-high number of South Australian companies will be exposed to more than 15,000 participants in the world’s biggest biotech event.

Minister for Trade and Investment Nick Champion said a strengthened relationship between South Australia and the United States is opening opportunities for investment in the advanced manufacturing sector.

“By bringing South Australian companies together in Boston for a collective pitch to the global market, we strengthen an already attractive investment destination,” Champion said.

“This trade mission will help local companies enter the US market and build new connections in new markets, fuelling jobs and future development in SA. ”

More than $6 million worth of deals were struck for South Australian stakeholders at last year’s BIO event.

South Australian participants include Adelaide Intermediary Program/MTP Connect; Agilex Biolabs; Australian Teletrials Program; Avance Clinical; Bellberry; Bentleys R&D Incentives; BioCina; BiomeBank; Carina Biotech; CMAX Clinical research; Commercial and General; Mayne Pharma Services; Southern Oncology Clinical Research Unit; Syneos Health; The University of South Australia; and Yuhan ANZ.

– Elisabeth Marie

Detmold Group’s Adelaide production factory. Photo: supplied.

South Australian packaging company announces sustainability objectives

Hindmarsh-headquartered Detmold Group has launched its new sustainability objectives to coincide with World Environment Day.

The “positive impact targets” are globally-accepted strategies and standards that help Detmold Group customers and distributors become Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation compliant.

The paper and board packaging manufacturer has set six targets to achieve by 2025:

• 100 per cent of products with Sustainable Packaging Guidelines applied
• 95 per cent of waste diverted from landfill across all production facilities
• 30 per cent reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions per kg of product
• 80 per cent of fibre to be forestry-certified or contains recycled content, with no controversial sourced fibre
• 100 per cent of stock range that meets Towards 2025 Targets
• Three facilities using renewable energy

Detmold Group’s Acting CEO Sascha Detmold Cox said the targets demonstrate the group’s commitment to operating as a trusted partner in the sustainable packaging space.

“We are taking the current standing of the Detmold Group and measuring it against these six positive impact targets, as well as aligning with progressive targets for the 2023 and 2024 calendar years,” Detmold Cox said.

– Elisabeth Marie

Horasis India will be hosted at the Adelaide Convention Centre in November 2023. Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily.

Horasis to host first Australian summit in Adelaide

International think tank Horasis will hold its first Australian summit from November 26 to 28 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

The partnership between South Australia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Business SA, and Invest SA and co-hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry will see Horasis India host 250 Indian business leaders in Adelaide for the three-day trade and investment conference.

“This is the first time a Horasis think tank has been held in Australia and we hope this partnership will lead to future Asian summits being held here in Adelaide,” said Invest SA’s Executive Director Chris Wood.

“This will act as a global platform where we can promote South Australia’s competitive advantages and attract investment to help further develop our industries.”

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said Horasis India comes at an ideal time for the state.

“Our leadership in renewables and the emergence of our defence, space, and bio-med sectors will all be of interest to the delegates,” Malinauskas said.

“As Australia and India look to leverage the newly signed trade agreement (AIECTA), events such as these place South Australia in an ideal position to create new trade and investment opportunities.”

– Elisabeth Marie

Hort Connections 2023 will be hosted at the Adelaide Convention Centre from June 5 to 7. Photo: Hort Connections.

Adelaide Convention Centre soaring towards a record year

The Adelaide Convention Centre (ACC) has delivered its biggest month since the onset of the pandemic with the South Australian visitor economy benefitting from an influx of major business events.

Across May, the ACC delivered 77 events, including 15 major conferences and exhibitions, bringing more than 7,800 international and interstate visitors to Adelaide.

The ACC is currently on track to achieve its most successful year on record.

The forecast for this month remains equally positive with Hort Connections, Australia and New Zealand’s largest horticulture conference and trade show, starting today and bringing an expected 3000 visitors to the state.

“The strong May performance contributes to what is set to be Adelaide Convention Centre’s best year yet with the centre on track to return record economic benefit to South Australia,” said Adelaide Convention Centre General Manager Martin Radcliffe.

– Maxwell Bland

Resources sector eyes state budget

The South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME) has reiterated its call for the South Australian Government to prioritise funding of projects that benefit the mining industry ahead of the state budget.

SACOME CEO Rebecca Knol expressed the urgent need to address energy transition, fund key projects, enhance water access, improve regional road conditions, incentivise the delivery of freight by rail, and plan for the state’s future workforce needs.

“SACOME’s recent Economic Contribution Study highlighted that 15 resource sector companies contributed $10.7 billion to the South Australian economy in 2021 and 2022,” Knol said.

“This is equivalent to 8.3 per cent of SA’s Gross State Product, or $1 in every $12 in the state’s economy.

“While South Australia has an abundance of untapped mineral wealth, access to water, electricity and suitable transport corridors remain major obstacles to growing and expanding the state’s mineral and resource assets.”

– Liam McMahon

Flinders University and Rhode Island University enter a partnership ahead of AUKUS. Photo: Flinders University/Rhode Island University.

American and South Australian universities form partnership ahead of AUKUS

The University of Rhode Island (URI) and Flinders University have formed a research and education partnership to support the AUKUS security pact.

The collaboration aims to strengthen Australia’s workforce in line with the acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS initiative.

URI President Professor Marc Parlange emphasised the university’s global engagement and commitment to addressing pressing global issues.

“This research partnership with Flinders University will advance our strategic priorities to collaborate globally; create connecting points for communities, companies, and government agencies; and drive innovation that has a meaningful impact on society,” Parlange said.

The agreement between the universities is the culmination of a two-day visit during which representatives from Flinders toured URI’s Kingston and Narragansett Bay campuses and met with faculty members and researchers.

Flinders University President Professor Colin Stirling highlighted the significance of the AUKUS program and the opportunity it presents for advanced manufacturing.

“The AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program is an unparalleled advanced manufacturing opportunity that will be Australia’s biggest defence investment,” Stirling said.

“Flinders looks forward to working with the University of Rhode Island and our UK partner, the University of Manchester, to create a nuclear research and education network that supports our nations.”

– Jack O’Halloran

Gaynes Park Suites. Photo: Life Care.

International praise for Life Care’s Gaynes Park Suites

Life Care’s Gaynes Park Suites has been internationally recognised with the Joslin facility winning the 11th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Award for Assisted Living Facility of the Year.

Opened in early 2021, the $22.5 million aged care facility features 41 single and two-bedroom apartments that allow residents to maintain their independence while receiving tailored levels of support based on individual needs.

Life Care CEO, Allen Candy said the award reflected the organisation’s commitment to innovation and international best practice.

“This award is confirmation that we have realised our vision for Gaynes Park Suites, which was to set a new standard for senior’s living and create a community that supports older people’s changing lifestyle and health needs,” Candy said.

“We are very proud of the recognition and look forward to supporting generations of older people to live fulfilling lives in our care.”

Life Care was the only South Australian organisation to take home an award in Singapore last week, which recognised their innovative approach to changing how people age and their contribution to shaping the future of the ageing landscape.

– Liam McMahon

Craig Linke Bespoke Building’s innovative kitchen. Photo: supplied.

South Australian builders receive top awards on the national stage

A renovated kitchen and modern barn-style display home constructed by South Australian building companies have been named among Australia’s best at the 2023 HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards.

Winners were unveiled before 550 industry leaders at the awards ceremony on Hamilton Island, led by the national residential building body Housing Industry Association (HIA).

Fleurieu Peninsula-based South Coast Constructions won HIA Australian Display Home for “The Ashton”, an expansive Scandinavian barn-style home featuring an entertainment deck made of reclaimed timber from old jetties.

Adelaide-based builder Craig Linke Bespoke Building won HIA Australian Kitchen of the Year for an innovative kitchen featuring a conversion of two small kitchens within adjoining residences to a single bespoke kitchen.

Stephen Knight, Executive Director of Housing Industry Association South Australia said the awards are a testament to the high-quality work conducted by South Australian builders.

“For South Australian builders to win at national awards is often a big ask given the much bigger budgets builders have in other states,” Knight said.

“To pick these up is a fantastic recognition that we are up there with the very best in the nation.”

– Maxwell Bland