SA Economy

[jk1237]

a little bit of positive news, finally, from https://www.theguardian.com/business/20 ... tes-report

Australian economy

NSW ranked Australia's strongest economy in State of the States report

Population grown and robust housing market extend NSW’s lead on Victoria, as mining downturn sends Queensland and Western Australia tumbling down rankings

Australian Associated Press

Monday 25 July 2016 08.17 AEST


The New South Wales economy remains the nation’s strongest and the mining downturn has sent Queensland and Western Australia tumbling down the rankings.

NSW extended its lead on Victoria in the latest Commsec State of the States report, driven by economic and population growth, a healthy housing market and strong retail spending.

“Once again NSW is leading the way on many economic indicators and can claim the top ranking of economic performance,” the CommSec chief economist, Craig James, said.


Read more

“Population growth is above long-term averages and dwelling starts are at almost 77% above decade averages, providing solid momentum for the state’s economy.”

Queensland and Western Australia fell one place on the list to sixth and seventh respectively, while South Australia jumped them both to be fifth.

“In two years Western Australia has gone from first to seventh in the performance rankings,” James said.

“Slower population growth and continuing high unemployment will continue to hinder activity in the state’s housing market.”

Queensland’s main areas of weakness were slowing economic growth, high unemployment and low levels of construction work, CommSec said.

South Australia’s job market improved in the past year, particularly in the three months to June, and if that trend continued it could translate into stronger retail spending and push the state higher on the rankings, James said.

CommSec’s rankings are based on each state’s performance in eight key economic areas, including investment, construction work, retail spending and economic growth.

[Verbatim9]

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/ ... dd90be68d4

"Property Council of SA calls for trading hours overhaul, power prices investigation

Renato Castello, The Advertiser
August 15, 2016 10:52am

DEREGULATING trading hours, removing barriers to property development, and investigating utility prices should be considered in a review of outdated state-based legislation, according to the Property Council of SA.

The council has lodged a submission with Premier Jay Weatherill ahead of the inaugural ‘Simplify Day’ on November 16, which will focus on overhauling and removing laws which are proving a barrier to business growth.

In the submission the Property Council says “now is the time” for SA to deregulate shop trading hours and implement a “competitive” retail environment.

“The current approach to regulating shop trading hours has created a complex web of regulations that prevent some operators from trading at certain times on particular days while permitting others to do so,” the council’s executive Daniel Gannon writes.

“In addition to the complexity of rules pertaining to opening hours, all retailers are forced to comply with a myriad of unnecessarily complex and technical regulations that add to the red tape cost of operating in South Australia.

“There is evidence of reform where relaxing retail trading restrictions has led to the capitalisation of latent consumer demand and allowed consumers to exercise choice where and when to shop"

^^"Its about time retail hours are deregulated and Alcohol sold in supermarkets in South Australia. Works next door in Victoria"!

[Nathan]

^^"Its about time retail hours are deregulated and Alcohol sold in supermarkets in South Australia. Works next door in Victoria"!

Agreed on deregulating retail hours, but not on alcohol in supermarkets. The alcohol sales market is already dominated by chains owned by the two supermarkets, and allowing them to sell them in the supermarkets themselves would only further shut out independents. They already use their position to strong arm smaller suppliers, and that would only get worse.

[Verbatim9]

^^"Its about time retail hours are deregulated and Alcohol sold in supermarkets in South Australia. Works next door in Victoria"!

Agreed on deregulating retail hours, but not on alcohol in supermarkets. The alcohol sales market is already dominated by chains owned by the two supermarkets, and allowing them to sell them in the supermarkets themselves would only further shut out independents. They already use their position to strong arm smaller suppliers, and that would only get worse.

By allowing alcohol in Supermarkets would also benefit IGA, Foodland and Aldi to compete more fairly with Coles and Woolworths. As it stands the current law makes it difficult for an IGA or Foodland to obtain a liquor merchant licence next to their stores as it always seems to be successfully disputed by Coles or Woolworths that own nearby liquor stores or pubs. Costco also has a similar problem obtaining a liquor merchant licence because of a nearby BWS owned by Woolworths. Is that true competition?

[SRW]

^^"Its about time retail hours are deregulated and Alcohol sold in supermarkets in South Australia. Works next door in Victoria"!

Agreed on deregulating retail hours, but not on alcohol in supermarkets. The alcohol sales market is already dominated by chains owned by the two supermarkets, and allowing them to sell them in the supermarkets themselves would only further shut out independents. They already use their position to strong arm smaller suppliers, and that would only get worse.

I tend to agree. There's no reason trading hours should be arbitrarily restricted: let businesses trade whenever they can staff and make a profit. However, I'm loath to empower the duopoly of Coles/Woolworths any further by allowing them to capture more of the liquor market. I mean, is it really that hard to obtain alcohol anyway? As a half measure, maybe smaller premises (i.e., IGAs) could be allowed to sell alcohol in the same way as they can trade later presently.

[Blimp]

In a great result for the environment, BP have pulled the pin on their GAB offshore drilling proposal. BP claim the project isn't viable.

This is a great result, an oil spill would have torched the agriculture/fishing and tourism industries. Anyone here that read the environmental report released by BP themselves would have seen how far the devastation would likely have spread - scary stuff. BP don't exactly have a great track record of sticking around and helping out in the event of an oil spill either.

Article: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/ ... 26c2002398

[Goodsy]

http://indaily.com.au/news/2016/10/10/g ... -industry/

“[The State Government] understands the importance of removing barriers to help develop a medicinal cannabis industry in South Australia and supports in-principle medicinal cannabis research and development in South Australian research facilities and public institutions, including clinical research,” the spokesperson said.

Hopefully the first step to full legalization for recreational use as well. We need to get in first before the eastern states and build a tourist base.

[Llessur2002]

Not sure where this sits thread-wise but this can only be good news:

Boeing Adelaide deal to create 250 high-skilled jobs

Aerospace company Boeing will create 250 technical and advanced research jobs in Adelaide.

The South Australian Government has used funds from its investment attraction agency to lure the company to set up a base in the Adelaide CBD, but Premier Jay Weatherill is not revealing how much was spent.

"This is a 10-year commitment, they'll be recruiting immediately, so that's a very exciting first phase," he said.

Boeing's work will support advanced military systems and wider research and development over the long-term, the Premier said.

The company plans to work closely with South Australia's universities and research organisations.

Mr Weatherill said it would give SA a tremendous and immediate economic boost and he hoped the deal would extend beyond its initial period.

"When you get a big player like this, the next step is to work with them to realise the ambitions of this company to grow and find other ways in which they can expand their operations," he said.



The Government said the deal was pivotal in the state's push toward creating more high-tech advanced manufacturing industries.

"These are the types of high-calibre opportunities that will attract and encourage our young graduates and students to work in South Australia," the Premier said.

Boeing employs about 140,000 people globally in manufacture of commercial airliners, military aircraft and defence, space and security systems.

The company said its Australian presence was the largest beyond the United States, employing more than 3,000 people, most of them in Queensland.

Mr Weatherill and Boeing executive Darren Edwards today signed the deal in Adelaide and the new office will open within days.

At a time when South Australia has been losing jobs in car manufacturing and other industries, it has lured new players such as engineering support services company Babcock, which announced last year it would move its Australasian headquarters to Adelaide from Brisbane because of SA's growing Defence industry.

From: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-06/b ... atenews_sa

[Nathan]

but this can only be good news

Comments on AdelaideNow and InDaily beg otherwise

[Llessur2002]

but this can only be good news

Comments on AdelaideNow and InDaily beg otherwise

I often wonder about the demographic and motive of the commentators on AN and ID – are they just staunch Liberal voters and, if so, will we see a sudden upshift in mood if the Libs get into power in 2018 (i.e. if this had been announced under the Libs, would the general consensus be that it’s a great thing to attract one of the highest profile companies in the world to our CBD)?

Or, are they just serial moaners who’ll never be happy, regardless of what’s done and who by?

If the latter then wtf must these people be like to talk to in real life?

[Norman]

Judging by reading the other News Limited sites' comments, they are negative no matter what political party is in power. It's a lost cause.

[Waewick]

I guess once we know the details we will know if it's a good decision.

Using Government money to literally buy jobs can be questionable. Surely raising that question doesn't make you a serial moaner or a non Labor voter.

[wll6568]

Another sad article..

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show greater Adelaide area population grew by just 10,421 in 2016

ASPIRATIONS to grow Adelaide’s population to almost two million by 2045 may not be realised until two decades later, new figures show.

Despite the State Government lowering expectations last year, new population data shows about 200 people a week are being born in, or moving to, greater Adelaide — a little over half the 350 needed to hit the 1.97 million target.

The Property Council says South Australia is heading toward an economic crisis if population growth remains sluggish.

Planning minister John Rau would not say whether he was still confident the State Government could reach its target by 2045.

New Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show the population of the greater Adelaide area — incorporating 27 council areas from Light in the north to Yankalilla in the south and Murray Bridge to the east — grew by 10,421 in 2016.

At that rate, the population will fall about 220,000 short of the 1.97 million target by 2045.

Mr Gannon told the Sunday Mail if the state’s current policy settings remain unchanged, South Australia would expose itself to a diminishing economic outlook with softening demand.

“South Australia is in a global war for talent and right now we’re losing the battle as we reluctantly farewell our best and brightest to jurisdictions with higher growth rates and competitive jobs markets,” Mr Gannon said.

“A stronger population base will lead to more local employment opportunities for the next generation of workers, which will strengthen our state’s economy, provide greater demand for our business owners, occupy floorspace of commercial buildings and future-proof our outlook.”

Mr Gannon said targeting international students and skilled migrants could help address this challenge and increase the residential population in the CBD and across greater Adelaide.

“That’s why in the lead up to the 2018 state election, the Government and Opposition need to very clearly enunciate their plans to build a more resilient economy — and that starts with growing our population,” he said.

Mr Rau stressed the State Government was doing a raft of work to get more people living in greater Adelaide — particularly the CBD.

“Through the updated 30-Year Plan to be released soon, the State Government is actively pursuing an agenda of urban renewal, city activation and investment in our critical infrastructure to open up more diverse housing and affordable living options closer to jobs, services and increased transport services,” he said.

Mr Rau said the State Government was taking action through various policies and initiatives seeking to make living in Adelaide more attractive and to unlock economic potential.

“The State Government has also taken a more active role in the facilitation of major development and infrastructure projects, providing more pathways for investment and economic activity across South Australia,” he said.

COUNCIL GROWTH 2016-17
BIGGEST BY POPULATION

Council People

Salisbury 1569

Playford 1340

Port Adelaide Enfield 1277

Onkaparinga 851

Marion 734

BIGGEST BY PERCENTAGE

Council Percentage

Gawler 2.6

Adelaide 2.0

Mt Barker 1.7

Yankalilla 1.6

Playford 1.5

* Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 1cc8d0dc8f

[Vee]

Australian Space Agency? and role for South Australia?

In addition to the successful launch by NASA of the Adelaide Uni built CubeSat 'nanosatellite' to join a network of 50 CubeSats investigating the thermosphere....
... reports are out that SA is keen to play a role in a new Australian Space Agency. But there appears to be less interest from Canberra.

ABC News:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-19/a ... sa/8451834

Hopes that Australia will return to space industry

The State Government granted $300,000 towards the development of the University of Adelaide satellite.
Dr Tetlow said it was just the beginning of Australia's involvement in the billion-dollar space industry.
"I think it's really important that we have a bit of momentum now," he said.

"There's a lot of discussion both at the federal and state level about the growing space industry and I think it's really important that we leverage that and build this into something that's meaningful and sustainable."

In another, longer article on the topic...
InDaily reports...

The State Government will launch a campaign for the establishment of a national space agency headquartered in Canberra, but with its "operational" base in Adelaide.

The Space Industry Association of Australia released a white paper last month which called for a national space agency to be formed to guide a national space program.

Defence Industries Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith last week gained Cabinet approval to lobby in favour of the proposal, with a view to South Australia hosting the “business, science and operational” elements of the agency’s work.

“We are going to argue for a space agency headquartered in Canberra, with the industrial, scientific and operational hub in Adelaide,” he said.

“If they (the Federal Government) do nothing, then we will advocate for it to be based in Adelaide.”
He said he was disappointed such an agency had not been established, given Australia’s past history as a player in the global industry.

Policy leadership?
International Astronautical Conference (Adelaide)

The moment was right for policy leadership, given the opportunity afforded by the International Astronautical Conference to be held in Adelaide in September and expected to be attended by space agency chiefs, astronauts and big industrial companies.

The conference, billed as the world’s most important space meeting, is expected to attracted 4000 delegates, making it one of the largest conferences ever held in Adelaide.
“We need some leadership from Canberra – until we get that we can’t progress,” Hamilton-Smith said. “I am pushing federal ministers to pick up the ball and run with it.”

According to the State Government, Australia’s space industry accounts for less than one per cent of the global industry, worth more than US$323 billion.

The Space Industry Association says that Australia’s space industry produces annual revenue of $3-4 billion and this could be doubled within five years, if the Federal Government established a national space agency to guide the industry.

Potential, Established infrastructure, R&D expertise

The State Government has picked the industry as one for potential growth, given the state’s established infrastructure at Woomera, and local R&D expertise in the field through the Edinburgh-based Defence, Science and Technology Group.

Defence SA has produced a Space Strategic Plan with the aim of making South Australia a national hub for space-related research and development.

“In recent years the space economy has experienced exponential global growth… revenue from space-related activities in 2015 was about US$323 billion, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 9.52 per cent from 1998 to 2015,” the document states.

“This is more than three times the annual growth rate of world GDP.”

InDaily:
http://indaily.com.au/news/2017/04/18/s ... ce-agency/

[rubberman]

Another sad article..

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show greater Adelaide area population grew by just 10,421 in 2016

ASPIRATIONS to grow Adelaide’s population to almost two million by 2045 may not be realised until two decades later, new figures show.

Despite the State Government lowering expectations last year, new population data shows about 200 people a week are being born in, or moving to, greater Adelaide — a little over half the 350 needed to hit the 1.97 million target.

The Property Council says South Australia is heading toward an economic crisis if population growth remains sluggish.

Planning minister John Rau would not say whether he was still confident the State Government could reach its target by 2045.

New Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show the population of the greater Adelaide area — incorporating 27 council areas from Light in the north to Yankalilla in the south and Murray Bridge to the east — grew by 10,421 in 2016.

At that rate, the population will fall about 220,000 short of the 1.97 million target by 2045.

Mr Gannon told the Sunday Mail if the state’s current policy settings remain unchanged, South Australia would expose itself to a diminishing economic outlook with softening demand.

“South Australia is in a global war for talent and right now we’re losing the battle as we reluctantly farewell our best and brightest to jurisdictions with higher growth rates and competitive jobs markets,” Mr Gannon said.

“A stronger population base will lead to more local employment opportunities for the next generation of workers, which will strengthen our state’s economy, provide greater demand for our business owners, occupy floorspace of commercial buildings and future-proof our outlook.”

Mr Gannon said targeting international students and skilled migrants could help address this challenge and increase the residential population in the CBD and across greater Adelaide.

“That’s why in the lead up to the 2018 state election, the Government and Opposition need to very clearly enunciate their plans to build a more resilient economy — and that starts with growing our population,” he said.

Mr Rau stressed the State Government was doing a raft of work to get more people living in greater Adelaide — particularly the CBD.

“Through the updated 30-Year Plan to be released soon, the State Government is actively pursuing an agenda of urban renewal, city activation and investment in our critical infrastructure to open up more diverse housing and affordable living options closer to jobs, services and increased transport services,” he said.

Mr Rau said the State Government was taking action through various policies and initiatives seeking to make living in Adelaide more attractive and to unlock economic potential.

“The State Government has also taken a more active role in the facilitation of major development and infrastructure projects, providing more pathways for investment and economic activity across South Australia,” he said.

COUNCIL GROWTH 2016-17
BIGGEST BY POPULATION

Council People

Salisbury 1569

Playford 1340

Port Adelaide Enfield 1277

Onkaparinga 851

Marion 734

BIGGEST BY PERCENTAGE

Council Percentage

Gawler 2.6

Adelaide 2.0

Mt Barker 1.7

Yankalilla 1.6

Playford 1.5

* Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 1cc8d0dc8f

I'm not sure why the figures are sad. It's not as if Adelaide is small. What does a few hundred thousand more or less mean to anybody's standard of living. More people means more infrastructure costs. The question is, what do we miss out on under this scenario that should worry us?

Frankly, I'm glad I'm in Adelaide and not Sydney. I can do almost everything here that I could in Sydney, at far less cost of housing and transport. Those few things that Sydney has to offer, eg some theatre and art exhibitions. Well, I can fly over there whenever, and still be better off than paying Sydney house prices out in the sticks where it takes almost as long as the flight from Adelaide to get to the Sydney CBD.