Melbourne risks becoming 'a backwater like Adelaide': Brumby

[AG]

I wonder if people will think Adelaide is a backwater at the end of the year, when there will probably be over 20 cranes in the skyline and even more exciting projects planned for Adelaide.

When Adelaide had a disgraceful airport and bus terminal, the deadly princes highway - worst entrances to Adelaide. And when the city, had very little economic and population growth I would of called Adelaide a backwater then. But now, I would not call Adelaide a backwater.

Yes we don't have skyscrapers (wasn't demand in the past for it), mega freeways (poor planning and State Bank) and our train system is a complete disaster atm (lack of funds). Though that does not make Adelaide a backwater.

I think this debate has brought some good stuff, such as there are large number of people that want 'change' and Adelaide brought into the '21st century'. Hopefully our leaders are listening and bite bullet on a few things (such as Victoria Park). I really think one of the main reasons why so many people have agreed with Brumby is because of Victoria Park, LeCornu Site and the Tramline Extension.

Though I find it quite hypocritical that Harbo has said that many people in Adelaide don't want the city brought into the 21st century when he rejected the LeCornu site and Victoria Park.

In the great scheme of things, 20 cranes really isn't that much. There certainly look to be more exciting times ahead though if we can properly capitalise on a mining boom. Adelaide isn't as big a backwater as it used to be, but it still largely carries the mentality of one. The fact that we don't have the appropriate infrastructure that should be supporting a city as large as Adelaide contributes to keeping Adelaide from where it could be.

Some people here seem to have this idea that the Government can only spend a certain amount a year from the taxes it earns hence the common "either/or" propositions that come up whenever a project is announced. Why not "and"? Maybe the Government doesn't currently have the funds to fund infrastructure expansions, but it can certainly find ways of raising funds or borrowing, although it would need to be cautious in doing so.

[bm7500]

We are probably on par if not about to be over taken by the Gold Coast in terms of imporantance. Effectively we have no power. WHY because we have little popualtion growth, below par econmic growth & below average income.

We are a backwater of the Australian cities. Its not that he is PAYING out Adelaide, Its just fact.

Absolute nonsense. The Gold Coast will never be of an importance greater than Adelaide, not simply because it is not a state capital, but because it is not a coherent place and its current importance is almost entirely dependent on it being a tourist destination, with the rest coming from its links to Brisbane.

Adelaide only has a reputation as a 'backwater' because the people of Adelaide perpetuate it. Until they realise that, hey, a city of 1.2 million is not a small city, and that, really, it has a quality of life equal to or better than most Australian and, indeed, world cities, it will not be viewed positively by outsiders.

Well said!

[bm7500]

We are probably on par if not about to be over taken by the Gold Coast in terms of imporantance. Effectively we have no power. WHY because we have little popualtion growth, below par econmic growth & below average income.

We are a backwater of the Australian cities. Its not that he is PAYING out Adelaide, Its just fact.

Absolute nonsense. The Gold Coast will never be of an importance greater than Adelaide, not simply because it is not a state capital, but because it is not a coherent place and its current importance is almost entirely dependent on it being a tourist destination, with the rest coming from its links to Brisbane.

Adelaide only has a reputation as a 'backwater' because the people of Adelaide perpetuate it. Until they realise that, hey, a city of 1.2 million is not a small city, and that, really, it has a quality of life equal to or better than most Australian and, indeed, world cities, it will not be viewed positively by outsiders.

But the Gold Coast region is booming. HUGE tourist dollars flow as a result of the city. As the region zooms towards 1 million it will hold about equal power to Adelaide. Almost every year Adelaide is losing power and voice. The only thing that is in our favour is that mining dollars that might start flowing.

And no its not the people of Adelaide who make the place a Backwater, its geographical & population reasons why we are a backwater. We aren't on the East Coast, we are at the bottom of the continent ( not many freights will make the trip) & we have a small population.

Whats to say we aren't a backwater? We aren't booming, we don't have alot of power, we don't get huge tourist numbers, nor do we attract huge investment. Sounds like we are just an ordinary city. Something Melbourne doesn't want to become.

Like I said though, we can change this. Hopefully we follow the WA pattern, emerge from our shell.

I was in Brisbane the other day and they announced that the Gold Coast has only just surpassed 500,000 people. So there is stil a loooong way to go before they get to 1 mil.

[MGR]

I love Adelaide and I am desperate to see it fulfill its potential. I really hope that comments like Brumby's cut deep into those who unwittingly (or wittingly?) hold us back and are the cause for such comments and opinions. (especially you nimby :wank: s)
I think this debate about whether we are backwater or not is great. great for the state. maybe now we might see some retaliation in the form of progress

[Shuz]

I beleive there is and always has been a lot of speculation and various interpretations of the Gold Coast's true population figure. ABS has it as 550,000 thereabouts, but figures based on continious urban population, and urban growth boundary population, and GC district population all vary between 500-600k.

Adelaide is NOT a backwater, but like what many others have said, the attitude still lives on and we are misconcieved in believing that we are a backwater when the economic shit of the 90's is past us now and that has greatly affected our progress. It's time to break out of conservatism, and adapt to progress.

[rhino]

Just do it.

Not so many years ago Perth was called a sleepy backwater too. The people there just looked back at the east and said "Tell someone who cares", then they quietly knuckled down and turned their city into the envy of the east coast. It didn't happen overnight, but the people on the east coast seemed to think it did.

We'll be the same, we just have to stop farting around and infighting and embrace progress. One day a few years from now John Brumby will be saying "Shit - when did Adelaide get this good?"

Then he'll go back to Melbourne and say "Guys, we gotta pull our fingers out and dig that shipping channel deeper!"

[Will]

NIMBYs are the backwater of Adelaide. :wank:

Adelaide could have progress better and more, if not because of NIMBYs and their 'shadows', 'impacts', 'heights', 'high-rise' concerns.

Amen! NIMBYS are largely responsible for Adelaide having such a bad reputation. Those opposed to the Le Cornu re-development, Victoria Park, tram extension and Port Adelaide redevelopment and other developments should feel ashamed of themselves and renounce their backwater mentallity immediately!

[frank1]

Unfortunately, Adelaide is full of nimby's that are part of the old conservative network that existed in the 50's and still exist today in the ACC and polical party, so they wouldn't feel ashamed as they want it to stay like in the 50's. Instead of trying to improve our reputation, they want it left the way it is and if you don't like it move. God i hate that attitude.

I always wondered why the nimby's allowed Adelaide to boom in the 80's and build westpac house, telstra building, black box(forgot the name), etc, but won't allow any current or future projects. That doesn't make sense.

[JamesXander]

We will ALWAYS be a backwater if we don't get out population going. SA's population is our BIGGEST problem. We need more poeple, more denisty and then EVERYTHING will fall into place.


With almost 0 population growth it is curbing out econmic growth.

The fact is that in ten years, SA has probably fallen behind the rest of the country, but from the sounds of you guys it sounds like Adelaide is catching up quick smart. If you think Cranes are going to change that?

Population, Power, Influence, Investment

It just all flows.
We need people.

[AG]

I suppose it depends on how you look at the situation. If one compares population growth in SA now to what it was about 10 years, it is a significant improvement in the population growth situation. The annual population growth rate was barely 0.5% about 8 years ago compared to 1% in 06/07. However, compared to the other states, SA is still a long way short in population growth as the other states. QLD's annual population growth rate is in excess of 2.5%, with some regions in excess of 4%. In Victoria, it is about 1.3% and NSW it is just under 1%. In percentage terms, that might not sound like a huge difference, but when you consider that those states already have populations signficantly larger on top of the fact that relative population growth is higher, the absolute difference in population growth is quite significant.

It doesn't hold as true these days as it used to, but population growth and economic growth still tend to have a positive correlation to each other. Hopefully people will begin to realise how much of an opportunity exists out there with a potential mining boom on our hands. It's still amazing how few people actually have any idea about how much investment in mineral exploration and planned expansions are going on right now, even with the information being passed through the media to the public like a smell underneath peoples noses. The government however needs to address a potential worsening skills shortage and possible infrastructure constraints that other booming mining regions are currently experiencing.

[frank1]

It's still amazing how few people actually have any idea about how much investment in mineral exploration and planned expansions are going on right now, even with the information being passed through the media to the public like a smell underneath peoples noses.

Tell me about it. I don't know how many people i have spoken to that don't know about the future mining boom in this state. I tell them about how i am going to be a geologist and they all say straight away ' oh, so your off to WA!' I say not necessarily as SA is going to have a mining boom 'Yeah sure it is' they say. Ignorant people.

[Wayno]

It's still amazing how few people actually have any idea about how much investment in mineral exploration and planned expansions are going on right now, even with the information being passed through the media to the public like a smell underneath peoples noses.

Tell me about it. I don't know how many people i have spoken to that don't know about the future mining boom in this state. I tell them about how i am going to be a geologist and they all say straight away ' oh, so your off to WA!' I say not necessarily as SA is going to have a mining boom 'Yeah sure it is' they say. Ignorant people.

Is there a website somewhere that lists all SA's current and potential mines? would be great to know: name of mine, location, what's being mined, potential no. of jobs, potential royalty fees coming to the SA govt, etc...

[AG]

This map gives an overview of all the mines across SA by type of mineral deposit:
http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/ ... 81_002.pdf

[Will]

It's still amazing how few people actually have any idea about how much investment in mineral exploration and planned expansions are going on right now, even with the information being passed through the media to the public like a smell underneath peoples noses.

Tell me about it. I don't know how many people i have spoken to that don't know about the future mining boom in this state. I tell them about how i am going to be a geologist and they all say straight away ' oh, so your off to WA!' I say not necessarily as SA is going to have a mining boom 'Yeah sure it is' they say. Ignorant people.

I am still surprised as to how many people think that SA has negative or no population growth.

[Ho Really]

Largely blaming NIMBYs? That's only a perception. You guys know it's not just a few people complaining that stop developments from happening - there are many reasons: politiical, economic, environmental, social, etc., etc.

I would largely blame our past state governments over the last 30-40 years for the lack of vision not the NIMBYs, because we could have done better, even if it was a little at a time.

Remember that we are all NIMBYs when the next door neighbour wants to build a highrise over your backyard.

Cheers