• South Australian biotech impresses overseas
• South Australia top-rate for competitive business taxes and planning
• Zero vacancy for Adelaide Arcade
• Affordable housing opportunities for women impacted by violence
• Peet offers diverse housing options at Woodville Road precinct
• Paraquad SA invests $250k in therapy facilities
• Council’s plan for industrial growth unveiled
• No slowing down for South Australia’s Electric Vehicle car sales
• Arkaba Hotel opens $10 million revamp

South Australian biotech impresses overseas

A record number of South Australian representatives attended the BIO 2023 International Convention, resulting in negotiations and opportunities estimated to be worth $14 million.

SA clinical trial and drug development specialists, pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturers, and academics showcased the state’s world-class biotech precinct on North Terrace.

The world’s largest biotech event featured over 20,000 participants from 73 countries, with SA at the forefront of trends, including diversity and inclusion in drug development and clinical trials, improved patient-reported outcomes, and artificial intelligence.

“The pipeline of opportunities that have followed and new connections made is testament to our status as an attractive investment destination,” Trade and Investment Minister Nick Champion said.

– Sarah Herrmann

South Australia top-rate for competitive business taxes and planning

According to the Business Council of Australia (BCA), South Australia has the most competitive business tax and planning regime in Australia.

In a report ranking all states and territories, it concluded that when considering taxes for employing workers, charges for owning or acquiring property, and the retail trading environment, SA has “the most conducive environment for encouraging business growth”.

The BCA also praised the speed and efficiency of SA’s planning system, finding that “bringing together the elements of efficiency, consistency, certainty, and transparency … overall, the SA planning system ranks first in the nation.”

SA also ranked first for growth in economic activity, growth in retail turnover, growth in new home sales, and growth in overseas goods exports.

– Elisabeth Marie

Zero vacancy for Adelaide Arcade

Adelaide Arcade has held a zero per cent vacancy rate across the first half of 2023 according to a CBRE retail report.

The precinct therefore has the lowest vacancy nationwide in its class and the country.

Managing director Andrew Jonats said the appeal of “a mix of bespoke retailers” new and old are cause for the arcade’s success.

“We work hard to ensure Adelaide Arcade is not only wholly occupied by quality retailers, but occupied by businesses that will benefit from being in our unique retail space,” Jonats said.

“What appeals to the Adelaide consumer is buying local – and now we’re seeing more movement through the city post-COVID, we’re experiencing positive flow-on effects with expenditure.”

Adelaide’s retail vacancy overall is 12.4 per cent according to the report.

– Sarah Herrmann

Affordable housing opportunities for women impacted by violence

YWCA Australia – Australia’s only national specialist women’s housing provider – has commenced construction of its $15.7 million affordable housing development.

The development sees the production of 24 long-term rental apartments on Hutt Street for women and their families who have experienced domestic and family violence.

YWCA is planning to provide 30 per cent more tenancies over the next three years across Victoria, Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia.

YWCA Australia General Manager of Community Housing Charlotte Dillon said far too many women are struggling to find safe and affordable housing as rates for private rentals hit record highs.

“This development will provide safe, stable, affordable, long-term housing for 24 women, including mothers with children, who have experienced family and domestic violence, and provide a foundation to heal,” Dillon said.

As the first housing project developed by YWCA in South Australia, the South Australian government showed their support through a $5 million no-interest loan.

The development is due for completion in 2025.

– Anastasia Savvas

Peet offers diverse housing options at Woodville Road precinct

Australian property developer Peet is launching a residential precinct located between the heart of Adelaide and the coast.

The Woodville Road precinct aims to improve local housing supply by offering numerous options for home buyers.

Peet Managing Director and CEO Brendan Gore said innovative thinking about community design will be vital in overcoming existing housing supply challenges.

“Woodville Road creates a community with housing options at a variety of price points for a broader spectrum of buyers,” Gore said.

“Eligible residents will be able to take advantage of both the HomeSeeker and Shared Equity initiatives, helping more South Australians get onto the property ladder.”

The precinct, which will be situated close to the Woodville Road retail precinct, directly connected to open spaces and near public transport, will include 13 terrace designs inspired by the surrounding area, local buildings and stone wall features.

– Anastasia Savvas

Paraquad SA invests $250k in therapy facilities

Paraquad South Australia has boosted onsite support for people living with spinal cord injury by investing a quarter of a million dollars at its Dulwich headquarters.

In conjunction with Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week, PQSA has created two new therapy rooms and a height-adjustable and accessible kitchen.

“The new spaces … help to promote independence and diminish isolation for people with disabilities,” PQSA CEO Peter Stewart said.

PQSA also recently funded a public 30-metre beach mat and two beach chairs at Glenelg for people with mobility restrictions.

“There are people who haven’t been onto the beach for over 20 years. This equipment helps remove those barriers.”

PQSA takes this opportunity to create awareness that spinal cord injury can occur to anyone at any age, with 46 per cent caused by vehicle accidents and 36 per cent by falls.

– Sarah Herrmann

The plot for the future Employment Zone precinct. Photo: supplied.

Council’s plan for industrial growth unveiled

Barunga West Council is tackling land acquisition challenges on the Yorke Peninsula by unlocking a plot of Port Broughton land adjacent to Hornby Road for an Employment Zone precinct.

The council’s approach follows rising construction costs and global supply chain disruptions which have inundated the commercial and residential sectors as well as its industrial counterpart.

Barunga West Council CEO Maree Wauchope said having a supply of industrial land is essential for employment growth and community prosperity.

“In taking this assertive stance, Barunga West Council is not only meeting local challenges head-on but setting a clear example for other councils grappling with similar issues in their regions.

“This positive transformation of Yorke Peninsula’s industrial landscape could mark a turning point for regional South Australia,” Wauchope said.

Plans for the development include heavy vehicle-compatible roads, dry allotments approved by SA Water and a principal power hub by SA Power Networks.

– Anastasia Savvas

Photo: Pexels.

No slowing down for South Australia’s Electric Vehicle car sales

Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) have doubled in the last year with more than 3,000 new EVs on South Australian roads in 2023 alone.

RAA Mobility Technology Specialist Mark Borlace said EVs are the way of the future for South Australians.

“A little more than one in 20 new cars sold in South Australia are EVs – and that number will continue to climb,” he said.

In response to the cost of EVs, Borlace stated that while currently more expensive than petrol and diesel options, EVs are “becoming more affordable” with the BYD Dolphin Model available for $38,890.

The state government has committed $12.35 million dollars to the RAA Charge network which aims to improve the accessibility of EV charging stations.

“The RAA Charge network rollout is well underway and we’re nearing 50 per cent completion of our 140-site network,” Borlace said.

“We’re helping to solve ‘range anxiety’ for EV drivers which is one of the biggest concerns people considering buying an EV have.”

– Grace Atta

Arkaba Hotel opens $10 million revamp

The Arkaba Hotel is in the midst of its $10 million revitalisation project, the first major transformation the hotel has seen in 60 years.

Stage 1 of the project, having officially opened on August 21, welcomed the all-new lounge and restaurant with table service and a new menu and drinks list for patrons.

The newly refurbished Top of the Ark – which now features state-of-the-art audio-visual technology – will continue to host functions and events amidst the ongoing project.

Following the completion of Stage 1, Sporty’s Bar + Arena will now undergo renovation. Part of the revamp will introduce a new wrap-around screen above the bar and an extended outside area with booth seating.

The Arkaba employed 23 new staff with another 50 expected to be needed by the end of the project.

– Anastasia Savvas