Business SA says a Skyrocket SA taskforce – and eight other ideas – would give the state a boost
The time is right for an economic reset, Business SA says, and a Skyrocket SA taskforce is just the thing. It has released a nine-point plan to put a rocket under the state’s fortunes.
SA Business
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA Business. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Kimba nuclear waste plan faces Canberra challenge
- Lobbyist numbers surge
- Rocket launch from SA on Tuesday
A new “Skyrocket SA” task-force to supercharge the state’s brand, the development of an eco-industrial business park, and positioning South Australia as a world leader in the hydrogen sector are key planks of a nine point plan to revitalise the economy prepared by Business SA.
The organisation has also proposed the duplication of the Augusta and Dukes highways, building the “Short-South” link between Mt Barker and the North-South Corridor, and a stronger focus on State Government spending going to local businesses.
Business SA chair Nikki Govan said the “9-Point plan to Skyrocket SA” was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which represented an opportunity to reset the state's priorities and position ourselves for a strong economic future.
“The plan is very much focused on the future,’’ Ms Govan said.
“It’s about adding new, disruptive ideas to take SA forward.
The document, being distributed on Tuesday, says there are fears the state brand – launched amid some controversy over its $1.34 million cost by the former Labor Government in March, 2013 – has faltered since BrandSA was defunded by the State Government last year.
“The prominence of the state brand has diminished and Business SA is concerned this may lead to its ultimate demise,’’ the plan document says.
“In the end the existing brand will only retain its relevance with a critical mass of public and industry support which cannot be assured under the current structure.’’
Businesses SA said it was not necessarily suggesting that BrandSA, which was also a member organisation, be re-established, “but it needs to consider alternative structural mechanisms through which to give state branding a more dedicated place within the machinery of government’’.
There is a recommendation that a small unit be established “Skyrocket SA (or similar) ... with a (suggested) name indicative of the space sector, but by no means exclusively aligned with it”.
The unit would be part of government, perhaps supported by a volunteer committee of local marketing and investment professionals.
“We think it’s really important to consolidate the brand effort, communicate it with a unified approach. This is our competitive advantage. It’s an efficient and effective way for the state to sell our story,’’ Ms Govan said.
Ms Govan said there was a great opportunity to sell the message that SA was a safe, cost effective and competitive place to do business, which had only been enhanced due to COVID-19.
On the renewables front, Business SA is advocating for a strong push into the green hydrogen industry, the establishment of an eco-industrial hub where companies with a sustainable focus could be based and showcased, and also wants the state to push for a Formula-E car race to be held here.
It says there are already about 250 of these sorts of eco-hubs globally, up from fewer than 50 in 2000.
“This should incorporate all features for companies seeking to differentiate themselves from a sustainability perspective, including but not limited to renewable energy, recycled water, hydrogen ... and industrial symbiosis/circular economy,’' the plan says.
A specific site has not been earmarked, but Business SA says the Gillman site and the Adelaide airport precinct could be suitable.
Ms Govan said the plan was an aspirational document which was about imagining what our future could be, rather than solely reacting to the current crisis.
“The reality is we’ve been in an unprecedented level of peacetime fiscal stimulus by the state and federal government, but now we need to shift from what’s been support packages, to funding sustained growth to strengthen the economy,’’ she said.
On the infrastructure front, with the last stage of the South Rd upgrade likely to take many years in the planning, Business SA suggests that the $1.4 billion option to create a freeway link between Mount Barker to St Marys be considered.
“With the final sections of South Rd now forecast to take potentially until 2030 to be completed, Business SA supports the State Government considering the Short-South option to ensure an east-west freight link for Adelaide does not take a further decade to come to fruition,’’ the document says.
“The Short-South link and duplicating the Augusta and Dukes highways should be ‘no regrets’ investments in the long-run particularly given each project’s ability to enhance the national road network.’'
Buying local from a state government perspective was also crucial, and Business SA is advocating for measures such as the unbundling of large projects to make it easier for small to medium sized firms to bid for work.
HYDROGEN FUTURE
Quentin Roberts, the founder of energy consulting firm EfficientSee, said embracing hydrogen was a natural evolution from the state’s investment in renewable energy.
“The major push is to have a green hydrogen industry, which you get from the renewables,’’ Mr Roberts said, whose business is based at the Tonsley innovation hub.
“I can see huge potential there. It’s backed up by the chief scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, and the Federal Government has released quite a lot of funding to encourage that area, about $370 million worth so I don’t think I’m alone in believing there’s a great future there.’’
It was important to start planning now for the industry, which would emerge rapidly in coming years, he said.
“As an entrepreneur I know that there are windows of opportunity in market environments and they don't necessarily last too long.
“If you’re not among the early moving group you can miss the wave.’’
Mr Roberts said small to medium sized businesses would have ample opportunities in areas such as consulting, advising firms on where they could fit into the hydrogen economy, and doing feasibility studies on the viability of taking up the technology.
“With any new technology there’s an educational piece that needs to happen so I’d see us playing a key role in helping people understand what it means for their business,’’ he said.
Mr Roberts said a collaboration across industry and governments was crucial for the sector to succeed.