“Quicklook” Assessment of Greater Adelaide's Assets & Challenges ...

9. Because people are moving back into the city, the need for the freeway system is
not pronounced any more. The challenge will be to squeeze more cars within a
given space.
THREATS
1. Some issues include capacity within the inner city and the privatization of utilities.
2. Do not want bus system like Melbourne (felt to be kind of scary). Most of jobs
are in the central areas.
3. For economic development, need industrial land, but increasingly industrial land
uses are being very restricted (100m buffer zones etc). There are constantly
more residential encroachments into industrial land. The planning system does
not seem to take this into account.
4. There is a big divide among the Greater Adelaide Area in regard to a
development strategy. Should the goal be ‘world class’ or ‘maintain status quo’?
Hard decisions must be made for strategy development.
5. For industry – is there enough water and land? Sustainability of current water
harvesting from the Murray system is key. Areas of underground water depletion
are also evident. In terms of water use in the state, 2/7 is used by residential or
industry with the balance in irrigation. A good trading system for water rights is
critical – irrigators tend to pay very low volumetric water prices and some using
massive amounts are paying very low volumetric prices. Strategy planning for
how to allow high value added agriculture and irrigation to grow is crucial.
6. There is a current process that is developing concepts of how North Terrace will
look and be used into the future, backed by significant capital spending to
improve the built form of the public spaces along North Terrace. The State
needs to look at industries that are location independent like auto or computer
chips.
7. Lack of jobs is a big problem, but natural attributes are good. The City of
Adelaide has enormous intellectual capital. Adelaide is regarded as a university
city but people leave because the jobs are not here. A statement made that
Adelaide was attractive to grapes but not people for immigration. Need other
industries and jobs to keep kids here. Studies of cities that have similar size and
resources that are economically viable can be of benefit.
CONCLUSION
The personnel at the meeting were very well informed, keenly aware of current issues
facing the Greater Adelaide Area, and not only interested, but very committed to making
improvements in their areas of responsibility. They are a credit to government and
should be commended for their courage and involvement in this study. The strengths
and opportunities show Adelaide to be a vital city. The success stories illustrate how
many hurdles have been overcome with intelligent diligence. The weaknesses and
threats are real, can be difficult, but are usually best overcome when treated by
identification and applying strategic planning. This document will make an excellent
resource for strategic plans due to the critical nature employed and the regional area will
benefit. Overall, on reviewing the document it is demonstrated that impressive progress
made in the past has staged the area well for future growth.
COMPARISON TABLE
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