Jamie Briggs: Right plan can help SA make the most of defence

THE Federal Government’s investment in a continuous naval shipbuilding industry opens the door to an extraordinary economic upside for South Australians, writes Jamie Briggs. Now we need a structure in place.

• Our historic opportunity — now is the time to strike

• Adelaide’s top 10 suburbs to live, work and play

MORE than any other Australian city, Adelaide has faced the unrelenting winds of structural economic change.

Industry based on government protection, exposed to the new world of international competitiveness, has meant that for 20 years our economy has suffered the confidence sapping impact of this change.

Fortunately, that adjustment appears to be at end and the fundamentals for a new dawn of economic growth appear on our horizon.

The Federal Government’s investment in a continuous naval shipbuilding industry in our state opens the door to an extraordinary economic upside for South Australians.

Major global defence companies are already looking to establish an enduring presence in Adelaide. They will employ thousands of people, generate opportunities for supply chain businesses and create a future for young people in our state.

Adelaide should maximise the government’s shipbuilding investments by putting in place a structure that ensures the growth is well planned, and investment flows through the whole economy.

The decision to establish a continuous shipbuilding is critical because investment decisions have a long focus.

We will need more skilled workers, a world-leading education system, and infrastructure in key suburbs to support the growing industry. We will need new amenities for the influx of workers. We need plans for education, transport, housing and infrastructure.

We need a plan to cement Adelaide as Australia’s “defence-a-tropolis”.

PwC is releasing CityPulse to give a high-level, data-based view of Adelaide by suburbs under three criteria: Live, Work and Play. We believe the best approach is a “City Deal”.

City Deals bring together governments, the community and private enterprise. They aim to align the planning, investment and governance needed to accelerate growth and job creation, stimulate urban renewal and drive economic reforms.

For the first time in many years, South Australians have the key to the door of a bright future. PwC wants to help ensure we can unlock it.

Jamie Briggs is a PwC partner and former federal infrastructure minister