Confidence sky-high as Whyalla experiences development boom

A South Australian regional city is beaming with confidence as a development boom sees $13m in projects underway with another $60m in the pipeline.

Whyalla-based construction company Steve White Builders says the boom in developments has made residents feel more confident about the future. Picture: Supplied.

Investors and developers are rushing to put their money into projects in Whyalla in anticipation of a boom ahead of a planned almost $600m hydrogen energy project.

Whyalla Council has approved 114 projects totalling $13m since September, almost nine times the value of the $1.5m in developments from the same period last financial year.

The approved projects include more than $4.5m in commercial or industrial developments with approximately $60m in plans under assessment.

Whyalla-based construction company Steve White Builders has hired three new employees in the past three months to keep up with their construction projects.

They are working on the revamp of Whyalla Child Care Centre and residential housing builds among other projects.

Supervisor at the company of about 15 people, Pearce Reichelt, said “everyone feels more confident in the town” with the development boom underway.

“We’ve had to up the hours and a lot of the guys are working bigger days,” Mr Reichelt, 36, said.

Sunrise Christian School's new building and early education centre

Mr Reichelt said “the biggest thing for the town” is that outside investors are taking an interest in projects in Whyalla.

“It’s blown up in the past 12 to 16 months,” the Whyalla local said.

“It boosts the locals’ feel about the town.”

He said the state government’s planned $593m Whyalla hydrogen energy project, set to open in 2026, will generate more than 700 jobs and has been driving interest in the town.

“To have something different (the hydrogen project) is a really good thing,” Mr Reichelt said.

Carpenter at Steve White Builders, Matthew Looyestyn, 21, said he has been “flat out” with work.

“It’s great for the town and they’ll be laughing (with future developments),” Mr Looyestyn said.

“It’s better (now) that there’s work than no work.”

Other major projects in Whyalla include more than 160 new rooms across three accommodation providers in the city, the new Eyre Eye Centre and Sunrise Christian School’s new building and early education centre.

Construction has begun on the new Eyre Eye Centre. Picture: Supplied

Whyalla mayor Phill Stone said confidence in the city’s future “is absolutely soaring” with the investment following the hydrogen project announcement.

“Existing local businesses and external investors are getting ahead of the game by developing projects aimed to cater for the anticipated increase in population and visitation,” Mr Stone said.

“We’re not talking extensions and sheds here – this is $13 million in major development aimed to attract more people to live and work in Whyalla and improve liveability for existing residents.”

Mr Stone said the number and value of developments are “only going to increase” with the more than $60m in plans still awaiting approval.