Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister Leon Bignell said the redevelopment of Colonnades Shopping Centre in Noarlunga, south of Adelaide, was a “great shot in the arm for our region”.

“It is a stunning place to live and the local population is expected to grow by more than 25 per cent by 2034,” he said.

According to population projections released in 2011 by the Department for Transport, Planning and Infrastructure, the City of Onkaparinga is expected to grow 20.5 per cent, or almost 33,500, between 2011 and 2026.

The largest growth is predicted to occur in the older age groups of 70-74 and 75-79 while the largest declines are projected for the 20-24 and 25-29 age groups.

Bignell, the region’s MP, said work on the centre’s development had also provided healthy employment opportunities.

“The 11-month, $51 million development project also created 1200 new jobs during construction along with an additional 100 ongoing roles,” he said.

Bignell said the centre brought premium and internationally renowned South Australian produce from McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Peninsula to a new customer base.

“This is the most significant redevelopment of the centre for more than a decade and will raise the bar for residents in Adelaide’s south looking for greater choice with top quality produce on their doorstep.

“The latest Food and Wine ScoreCard revealed a $1.1 billion increase to $18.2 billion in gross food and wine revenue for 2014-15, and the industry employs 144,000 people – one in five working South Australians.

“We are now exporting more South Australian food and wine than ever before, with total overseas exports reaching a record $5.2 billion or 46 per cent of our merchandise exports.”