Regional economy tops $5 billion
Each year, the Regional Blueprint for South Australia’s Regional Economic Growth is updated. The Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island contribute over $5 billion to the economy.
Regional Development Australia Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island released the second annual edition of the Regional Blueprint for South Australia’s Regional Economic Growth late last year.
The region is highly valued in terms of liveability and for years has experienced population growth higher than that of the state as a whole. The region contributes over $5 billion in economic activity for South Australia with primary industries and tourism being key contributors.
The regional economy is diverse with the majority of employment being shared across five industry sectors. With diversity comes resilience which has been abundantly demonstrated since the overlapping economic shocks of drought, bushfires and COVID-19. Challenges include advocating for enabling infrastructure developments to keep pace with growth and opportunity across the region.
Opportunities abound right across the region in supply-chain development, new business models, innovative approaches to increasing housing, development of new attractions, enabling of private investment, retention of youth in the more rural LGA’s, improvement in industry resilience, and growth in tertiary education.
Despite the blueprint covering different areas, there are a number of exciting projects based throughout the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu that have the potential to grow the region’s economy and improve liveability.
Regional development manager Stephen Shotton explained that public transport, regional university centres and workforce improvements are on the agenda for the network.
Learn more at the RDA website’s regional blueprint page, including an option to download the report.
