Ideas on how to attract more people to SA?

[raulduke]

- Release the height restriction for Adelaide's skyline
- Build a bloody freeway that goes somewhere
- Improve the look and feel of our trains
- Marinas - Hillarys Boat Harbour in Perth and Fremantle are excellent examples of places people can go on the weekend
- The parklands - come on, they are rundown soccer ovals - time for some new ideas
- Streetscapes - terrible in Adelaide, no landscaping

Its about amenity and perception - Adelaide needs to be viewed as a forward thinking city with the look and feel to boot, at the moment the perception is its drab, unappealing and ultraconservative when it comes to development. Development builds the economy, provides jobs, and gives us a sense of pride - and it can be done sustainably, we have some great examples at the moment of green buildings in the cbd.

[Will Derwent]

- Release the height restriction for Adelaide's skyline
- Build a bloody freeway that goes somewhere
- Improve the look and feel of our trains
- Marinas - Hillarys Boat Harbour in Perth and Fremantle are excellent examples of places people can go on the weekend
- The parklands - come on, they are rundown soccer ovals - time for some new ideas
- Streetscapes - terrible in Adelaide, no landscaping

Its about amenity and perception - Adelaide needs to be viewed as a forward thinking city with the look and feel to boot, at the moment the perception is its drab, unappealing and ultraconservative when it comes to development. Development builds the economy, provides jobs, and gives us a sense of pride - and it can be done sustainably, we have some great examples at the moment of green buildings in the cbd.

I can understand your frustration with the rate of development in Adelaide, but its a function of the economic growth in the city and not the other way around. Governments, more than anyone, need to be profitable enterprises - and if you build all this infrastructure with nobody around to use it you just put the government into debt for big fat white elephants.

Infrastructure does not obey the maxim 'if you build it they will come'. You just blow the budget.

If you want to improve the lot of Adelaide, you need to make it cheaper for people to live here compared to other places in Australia, and you need to make it more profitable for businesses to do business here. At the moment we have a price advantage over many other states, but its not high enough to really make an impact. For instance, during most of the 90's our houses were about 30 per cent cheaper than Melbourne, but now its about on par. That's why Melbourne is growing at such a rate; because you can live in Australia's second largest city for peanuts. To compete with that Adelaide needs much cheaper housing than Melbourne (to compensate people for a smaller city).

My recommendations:
- Ensure the planning law changes go ahead, and ensure there is stacks of available land for development near infrastrcuture. More available land means cheaper land to develop. That should include land on the fringes.
- Work hard to remove as many restrictions or conditions on development in the CBD, to provide investors with the confidence to build, and enable higher densities in urban developments (thereby increasing possible profits for developers).
- Reduce as much red tape as possible on small and medium sized businesses working in Adelaide. I don't mean making one-stop-shops for dealing with government, I mean removing government as much as possible and making it easier to start and operate a business in Adelaide than anywhere else in Australia.
- Convince as many skilled immigrants to move to Adelaide as possible. Go to South Africa, India, Pakistan and China and convince as many english speaking entrepeneurs to move here and start businesses here.
- Work hard to reduce government interference in the provision of infrastructure to serve a growing population. As a government without much cash, you want to create a situation where private companies can build, own and operate infrastructure to serve us with as little government help as possible. That might mean tollways.

- And I'd vociferously agree with the parklands issue. Most of the parklands are ugly and partly inhabited by homeless people. Is it possible to get a water recycling system of creeks (maybe diverting stormwater)through the parklands that could keep them green during both winter and summer? During summer I don't want to use them (they turn into rock hard fields of bare earth), and at night I don't want to walk through them. We need lights along the walkways to make people (particularly women) feel safer, and we need something at either end of the walkways to encourage their use as a thoroughfare. I think we should make development on the outer side of the parklands (such as greenhill road and dequetteville terrace) a priority, to try to reduce the large, sometimes hostile gap between the city and its surrounds.

[Shuz]

We need lights along the walkways to make people (particularly women) feel safer

Yes, because there's a lot of wheelchair-bound breast-touching mental deliquents roaming the park's paths.

[raulduke]

what the?

[Ho Really]

...Infrastructure does not obey the maxim 'if you build it they will come'. You just blow the budget...

What about for those that you want to retain? As for the rest I agree.

Cheers

[urban]

- Ensure the planning law changes go ahead, and ensure there is stacks of available land for development near infrastrcuture. More available land means cheaper land to develop. That should include land on the fringes.

With SA's current backlog of infrastructure needs and minimal finances available no more land should be released on the fringes. The provision of services to houses in the last increase in the urban growth boundary according to estimates by the Planning Institute of Australia will cost the govt $2 billion more over the next ten years than it would had the development been accommodated within the UGB. This is on top of the initial infrastructure costs for the housing.

I'm sure the members of this site can think of much better things to spend $2 billion on.

[Wayno]

this article is focused on attracting more people (students in particular) to SA:

From the Gulf News ==> http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/08 ... 22744.html

Study in South Australia
By Saifur Rahman, Business Editor
Published: June 22, 2008, 00:14

The number of students from the Middle East enrolling in Australian educational institutions jumped more than 43 per cent to 13,438 students last year compared to 9,376 students in 2006, according to Australian government statistics. Of this, about 10 per cent or 1,332 students hail from the UAE.

Those who are completing school and are looking for a foreign degree could explore some Australian universities, which are convenient both in financial and cultural aspects.
"We've got some very good universities with strong research faculties," Mike Rann, South Australian Premier, told Gulf News in a recent interview.

"South Australia is a state in transition with tremendous opportunities. The economic opportunities will create a strong demand for employment and we'd need to groom more skilled human resources for our economy."

Catering to student needs

"For our Middle Eastern students, we have created a Muslim-friendly environment that will help to attract more Muslim students to Adelaide," Rann said.

Student enrolment from the Middle East has gained momentum in Australia since September 11. However, the growth in foreign student enrolment in South Australia has outshone Australia's national average, as the state has a lower foreign student enrolment.

"In 1998, international student enrolment was 5,000, which grew to 23,500 by the end of 2007," said Denise Von Wald, chief executive of education Adelaide. "Foreign student enrolment in Adelaide is growing at twice the Australian national average."

The number of students enrolled in Adelaide's institutes rose to 350,000 last year, Von Wald said. Three universities dominate Adelaide's higher education landscape - University of South Australia, University of Adelaide and Flinders University - in addition to about 20 colleges and two hotel management institutions.

Based on the year-to-date November 2007 figures from Education Australia, the number of overseas students from the Middle East and North Africa rose 31.5 per cent for South Australia and 43.3 per cent nationally.

There are approximately 484 foreign students from the Middle East in South Australia, representing 3.6 per cent of the enrolment from the Middle East in Australia, against 41.7 per cent enrolling in New South Wales and 23.4 per cent in Victoria states.

A recent attraction

South Australia has historically been ignored by international student communities as their top priorities have always been either Sydney or Melbourne.

Adelaide, the South Australian state capital, has only in recent years begun to attract large numbers of foreign students, especially from the Middle East whose students began to face discrimination from the US authorities following September 11.

"South Australia is an ideal location for Middle Eastern students," Von Wald said. "Adelaide hosts the oldest mosque in Australia. Besides, students from the Middle East do not face discrimination as Adelaide is known for racial and religious harmony. "We also publish a Muslim Students Guide every year.

Campuses have prayer rooms while girl students are free to wear headscarves." The South Australian government is planning to build a residential facility for Muslim women and students, she said.

Cost-wise, education in Adelaide is 18 per cent cheaper than in Sydney and 16 per cent lower than that in Melbourne.

"While tuition fees are low, a lower cost of living in Adelaide makes it much more economic for foreign students," Von Wald said.

Deep impact

The international education industry poured a $553 million into the South Australian economy in the 2005-06 fiscal year, up 17.6 per cent from A$470 million in the previous year, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Of the A$553 million (Dh2.03 billion) spent by foreign students, an estimated A$219.9 million (Dh760 million) was for tuition fees and another A$333.1 million (Dh1.15 billion) was for goods and services.

The government estimates the international enrolments in South Australia would cross 30,000 by 2010.

Collaboration
South Australia is keen to expand ties with the Gulf states and their educational institutes to expand knowledge, officials said.

The University of Adelaide in 2005 entered into a joint collaboration with the University of Sharjah in a $6 million deal to set up a world-class dental educational faculty to offer Bachelor of Dental Surgery. The college has since been doing well under the able guidance of University of Adelaide.

[Cruise]

enrolment from the Middle East has gained momentum in Australia since September 11

I can't believe i find that funny.....

[Hippodamus]

If you want to attract people to this State, let's get back to the basics before we get ahead of ourselves.

We need to harness more sustainable methods of water consumption and usage. Without plentiful water there is no life and hence will detriment growth in South Australia, no matter how attractive we make it in other respects.

Currently, Adelaide draws some 80 percent of its total water consumption from the River Murray and the remaining 20 per cent from resevoirs and dams in the Adelaide Hills.

Water is life - life is growth - growth is prosperity - prosperity is secure - secure water harnessing is what we need in Adelaide.

[Wayno]

If you want to attract people to this State, let's get back to the basics before we get ahead of ourselves.

We need to harness more sustainable methods of water consumption and usage. Without plentiful water there is no life and hence will detriment growth in South Australia, no matter how attractive we make it in other respects.

Currently, Adelaide draws some 80 percent of its total water consumption from the River Murray and the remaining 20 per cent from resevoirs and dams in the Adelaide Hills.

Water is life - life is growth - growth is prosperity - prosperity is secure - secure water harnessing is what we need in Adelaide.

pfft, it's a huge presumption to believe govt will build additional water infrastructure capacity in advance of the ACTUAL size of our population. Infrastructure will always lag.

Agree we need to move away from the Murray (via desal, capture storm water, etc) but any belief that the govt will act beyond an "as needs" and "just in time" basis is folly. Incrementally increase the population, then incrementally solve the problem. That will always be their M.O.

So, any more ideas on attracting people to SA?

[monotonehell]

So, any more ideas on attracting people to SA?

Free hat!


It'll happen as it happens, there's no sense in pushing it. When the mining jobs come online that will spur some interest. When the money from those jobs finds its way into the local economy that will encourage secondary and support industries. If you attract people now, what are you attracting them to?

People will only come here for the jobs.

[Wayno]

So, any more ideas on attracting people to SA?

Free hat!

It'll happen as it happens, there's no sense in pushing it. When the mining jobs come online that will spur some interest. When the money from those jobs finds its way into the local economy that will encourage secondary and support industries. If you attract people now, what are you attracting them to?

People will only come here for the jobs.

sure will happen as it happens - but we can't leave it at that. You have to make sure it happens, otherwise it won't happen

Mining & Defence will provide much of our growth prospects, and yes they will generate secondary/support industries. But is that enough? and when will we know if our population growth targets will be achieved? what if the mining boom fizzles?

Attracting people now (in exclusion of mining/defence) is a must. SA has a skilled worker shortage just like many other places worldwide. Mining & Defence, whilst they will create a larger population, will most likely only exacerpate the skill shortage problem.

So, any more ideas on attracting people to SA?

[Will]

Someone better come up with an idea on how to attract but most importantly retain people in SA, because I was having a look at the latest ABS figures and we are haemorrhaging people to interstate migration; mostly young successful people I presume. Last year we had a net loss of 3800 people to other states. These figures are almost as bad as the dark days of the mid 90's. Even Tasmania is almost catching up to us with a strong improvement to their population growth (up to 0.8%). If there is any good news is that more international migrants are coming to SA (net gain of 13 601), the state has probably reached the 1.6 million milestone and the population growth rate for Adelaide increased from 1.0% in 2006 to 1.1% in 2007.

From the ABS:

Australia's population increases at fastest rate since 1988

Australia's population grew at its fastest rate since 1988 according to figures released today from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The population growth rate for Australia during 2007 was 1.6% (or 331,900 people), for a total of 21,181,000 people.

Western Australia and the Northern Territory recorded the fastest population growth at 2.4%, followed by Queensland, 2.3%, Victoria 1.6%, Australian Capital Territory 1.3%, New South Wales 1.1%, South Australia 1.0% and Tasmania 0.8%.

Net overseas migration contributed more than half the population increase (184,400 people or 56%), and natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) added a further 147,400 people (or 44%).

The overseas migration increase represents an average of over 1,100 immigrant arrivals and 620 departures per day.

Queensland and Western Australia continued as the leaders in interstate migration, gaining 25,600 and 3,800 people respectively from the other states.

The Northern Territory (860), the Australian Capital Territory (350) and Tasmania (290) also grew from interstate migration, while New South Wales (-24,000), South Australia (-3,800) and Victoria (-3,100) lost people.

As at 31 December 2007, the resident population for each state and territory was:
New South Wales 6,927,000;
Western Australia 2,131,000;
Victoria 5,246,000;
Tasmania 495,800;
Queensland 4,228,000;
Northern Territory 217,600;
South Australia 1,592,000;
Australian Capital Territory 340,800.

[Snorkie]

Someone better come up with an idea on how to attract but most importantly retain people in SA, because I was having a look at the latest ABS figures and we are haemorrhaging people to interstate migration; mostly young successful people I presume. Last year we had a net loss of 3800 people to other states. These figures are almost as bad as the dark days of the mid 90's. Even Tasmania is almost catching up to us with a strong improvement to their population growth (up to 0.8%). If there is any good news is that more international migrants are coming to SA, and the state has probably reached the 1.6 million milestone.

From the ABS:

Australia's population increases at fastest rate since 1988

Australia's population grew at its fastest rate since 1988 according to figures released today from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The population growth rate for Australia during 2007 was 1.6% (or 331,900 people), for a total of 21,181,000 people.

Western Australia and the Northern Territory recorded the fastest population growth at 2.4%, followed by Queensland, 2.3%, Victoria 1.6%, Australian Capital Territory 1.3%, New South Wales 1.1%, South Australia 1.0% and Tasmania 0.8%.

Net overseas migration contributed more than half the population increase (184,400 people or 56%), and natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) added a further 147,400 people (or 44%).

The overseas migration increase represents an average of over 1,100 immigrant arrivals and 620 departures per day.

Queensland and Western Australia continued as the leaders in interstate migration, gaining 25,600 and 3,800 people respectively from the other states.

The Northern Territory (860), the Australian Capital Territory (350) and Tasmania (290) also grew from interstate migration, while New South Wales (-24,000), South Australia (-3,800) and Victoria (-3,100) lost people.

As at 31 December 2007, the resident population for each state and territory was:
New South Wales 6,927,000;
Western Australia 2,131,000;
Victoria 5,246,000;
Tasmania 495,800;
Queensland 4,228,000;
Northern Territory 217,600;
South Australia 1,592,000;
Australian Capital Territory 340,800.

Yes Will unfortunately I feel that you are correct. From a first hand view I can tell you that young people are still leaving the state in droves. Having finished Uni 3 years ago, and with friend all in my age group I can tell you that I could name at least 20-30 people that I know who have left the state. Mind you these are all people with degrees who 'quote' 'dont want to waste their 20's in Adelaide'.

I myself am moving to London with my girlfriend in December for at least a year and more than likely moving to Melbourne permanatly after I return. I think Adelaide is a great little city that has plenty to offer, but lets face it for most 20 y.o it aint the most exciting place. Hate to say it but until Adelaide improves this mentality that it has little to offer for the younger generation, people will continue to get their degrees here and then piss off interstate or overseas where they can earn more money and enjoy a much more lively atmosphere. Sad, but true.

[Will]

^^^I made the comment about successful young people leaving the state, because I too am experiencing it. Most of my friends are completing their degrees this year or next and as such many conversations are being had about our careers post-uni. It terrifies me that out of my large group of friends only 2 or 3 have suggested they want to stay here. In fact one of my best friends is leaving in a fortnight .