A Message from the SA Executive Director – July 2015

Last week we saw another advocacy win for the Property Council and our great job-creating industry.

We’ve campaigned long and hard for extending the tramline down North Terrace to Adelaide’s east, and it’s welcome news. None more important than for marketing the existing Royal Adelaide Hospital site to the rest of the world.

Critics and opponents of the plan have pointed to a chequered tramline policy past. North Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Henley Beach, Grand Junction Road, Mitcham and a city loop – all examples of previous tramline announcements that started with fanfare but finished up on the cutting room floor.

We’ve made it clear to the State Government that our industry needs confidence, and that means following through on commitments. And in the wake of last week’s startling 8.2% unemployment rate, we need to think about infrastructure as a jobs driver. The State Government just released its Integrated Transport and Land Use plan; however, funding hasn’t been locked in for initiatives like extending the tram line.

This infrastructure is absolutely fundamental for attracting investors to the RAH site. With it, we can deliver people and spending to its doors.

After all, it’s a 215,000sqm site flanked on one side by the Torrens and North Terrace on the other. It’s got to be Australia’s most exciting development opportunity.

That means we also need to put forward the right mixed-use development. Retail, tourism, hospitality, maybe even retirement living or student accommodation.

Whatever shape it takes, it must provide economic drivers for North Terrace. It must balance the needs of both a daytime economy and evening economy. It needs to support the thousands of jobs in the northeastern quarter of the city. Rundle Street alone provides employment for almost 3,0 South Australians.

If we get it wrong, an economic vacuum looms large.

So if you’re sitting at a boardroom table around the country, shift your radar to Adelaide. Our lobbying and campaigning is affecting positive and long-lasting change in South Australia.

Take a look at last month’s announcement to phase out stamp duty on non-residential property transfers. The removal of this deadweight business tax is a green light for investment and a positive platform for investment hunting, and will also accelerate transaction activity across the state.

Following last week’s jobs data, there’s a strong case to fast-track this policy to create an immediate incentive to invest.

We’re getting results on your behalf. And with your continued support, involvement and engagement, we’ll keep getting the job done.