Adelaide’s landmark City Deal is signed, ensuring millions for future technology projects

Technologies such as smart parking and CCTV, as well as an indigenous business hub, are the final pieces of Adelaide’s $551 million City Deal, which was signed this morning.

• What is a City Deal?
• Mission Control would let public watch space operations

Technologies such as smart parking and CCTV, as well as an indigenous business hub, are the final pieces of Adelaide’s $551 million City Deal, which was signed this morning.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined Premier Steven Marshall and Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor at Urrbrae Education Centre for the inking of the deal.

The landmark agreement unites all three levels of government on a vision to grow Adelaide’s population, innovation economy and its global reputation in culture and the arts for Adelaide over the next decade

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was backing South Australians in for a very bright and exciting future.

“(It’s) a very practical deal because it goes right down in the detail of the things that we know can slow South Australians down, and Premier Marshall is speeding things up for South Australians,” Mr Morrison said.

Mr Morrison earlier said the deal meant “more jobs and more opportunities” because it focused on growing Adelaide’s population, the innovation economy and its global reputation in culture and the arts.

“Our combined investment and co-operation across the federal and state Liberal governments and local councils highlights that we all believe in Adelaide and SA and how we can make it an even better place to live,” Mr Morrison said.

The City Deal is intended to grow Adelaide’s population as well as its innovation economy. Picture: Airborne Photography

The Federal Government’s commitment also includes a further $10 million for smart technologies initiatives for residents, businesses and visitors in the CBD, alongside a $12.6 million commitment by the city council to investigate initiatives including smart parking and CCTV.

The Government will also provide $3 million for an indigenous business hub that will be designed with local consultation to promote innovation, incubation and start-ups.

The Advertiser this week revealed that more than $100 million was committed by the Federal Government for several projects at the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site, including a new Mission Control Centre at the Australian Space Agency and funding for an Aboriginal art gallery.

Lot 14, the former RAH site, will hold several projects including the Mission Control Centre of the Australian Space Agency and an Aboriginal art gallery.

However, the deal also includes piloting a new visa program in Greater Adelaide over the next three years to attract talented and skilled overseas workers.

Cities Minister Alan Tudge said the $551 million Adelaide City Deal, the seventh negotiated, would create jobs through innovation such as at Lot Fourteen.

“It’s a tremendous deal,” Mr Tudge said.

Population growth through designated migration agreements is also being considered, according to Mr Tudge, who said the new entrepreneur’s visa already had its first applicants.

Earlier, he said it would lift Adelaide and South Australia to new economic heights.

“It will directly focus on growing Adelaide’s innovation economy, supporting population growth in the city and across the state, and boosting Adelaide’s burgeoning cultural and tourism economy,” Mr Tudge said.

Mr Marshall said it was “fantastic” that the Federal Government had continued to back his plan to improve South Australia. “Our combined investment is a great example of what happens when governments work together to deliver productive infrastructure and more opportunities,” Mr Marshall said.

Ms Verschoor said it was a historic pledge and “a once-in-a-generation deal to increase employment, tourism and economic activity in our city”.

An artist’s impression of the buildings on Lot 14.

Boothby MP Nicolle Flint, who is fighting to hold on to her seat with a 2.8 per cent margin, attended the announcement which included “congestion busting” funding for three major intersections — Portrush Rd on approach to the Magill intersection; Cross and Fullarton roads,

and Springbank, Daws, Goodwood Rd.

Mr Morrison backed in Ms Flint, whose electorate will benefit from two of the projects, saying she was “critical” to the Coalition being re-elected and ensuring that it can deliver for SA.

“I’m responding to the needs of people who live in Adelaide and that’s what Nicolle is doing and I make no excuse for that,” Mr Morrison said.

Funding for the $551 million deal will be delivered over the next decade to meet project milestones.

The Advertiser understands that projects such as the Australian Space Agency will be allocated funding in the April 2 Federal Budget.

A spokesman for Opposition infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese said that if elected, Labor would honour “any budgeted element” of a City Deal, and would build on it under its “city partnership model”.

  

What’s in the City Deal

Lot Fourteen Development

$364 million from the State Government

Innovation Hub

Up to $20m from the Federal Government

Aboriginal Art and Cultures Gallery

Up to $85m (Federal)

International Centre for Tourism, Hospitality and Food Studies

$30m (Federal)

Australian Space Agency Headquarters

$26m (Federal), $2m (State) for the agency, as well as $4.2m towards a Space Innovation Fund, $2.2 million on supporting initiatives

Australian Space Discovery Centre

$6m (Federal)

Mission Control Facility

$6m (Federal), $2.5m (State)

Smart technology

$10m (Federal Government), $12.6m from Adelaide City Council

Indigenous innovation and incubation

$3m (Federal)

The Heysens at Hahndorf

$9m (Federal)

Carrick Hill House

$3m (Federal)

The Mitcham Hills Trail and Glenthorne Trail

$2m (Federal)