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Economic trends at a State, regional and local level can help to understand the future composition of the
region’s economic base.
At a State-wide level, a recent study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that South Australia's
industries with the largest employment over the past decade were Health Care and Social Assistance,
Retail Trade and Manufacturing. Together they accounted for over one third of the state's average
annual employment. More recently, from 2006-07 to the present, Health Care and Social Assistance has
replaced Manufacturing as the industry with the largest employment in South Australia.
The ABS study found that the state's Manufacturing industry showed negative growth in both employment
and production between 2000-01 and 2009-10. It is possible that the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and
certain industry closures had some effect. Despite this, however, both state average annual employment
(all industries) and economic output rose by 2% during GFC period, suggesting other influences within
the broader economy.
While the Study Area contains more than 30% of the State’s manufacturing businesses, this sector has
undergone significant change in recent times, and the region has seen significant growth in the freight
transport, defence, warehousing and logistics industries.
The diversifying nature of jobs and strengthening the resilience of the State economy to weather
uncertain global economic conditions are strong themes for the State Government’s Economic
Development Board (EDB). Their
Economic Statement
(EDB, 2009) highlights some of the key economic
challenges and opportunities facing the State, including:
x
Biggest challenges will relate to labour, water, energy and carbon emissions
x
Future economic prosperity will depend on improved education and training – and higher rates of
workforce participation
x
Economic growth needs to generate social and regional benefits
x
Productivity gains can be made through innovation and value-chain linkages
x
Planning is essential to yield the full benefits of population growth
x
The need for a robust program of infrastructure investment.
Moreover, studies progressed by the City of Charles Sturt such as the Charles Sturt’s Employment
Revitalisation Plan, the “Quantitative assessment of Charles Sturt and Economic Models of Engagement
and Delivery” Report (the Blandy Review) and Charles Sturt Industrial Land Study have identified a
number of trends regarding industry and employment which have implications for all of Western Adelaide
including:
x
Small and medium enterprises are expected to drive future economic growth
x
Smaller industrial users primarily want to be in the inner north and north-west, while bigger users are
moving north
x
Mining, as well as defence, health and bio-science, are likely growth sectors
x
Population growth will be a key driver of regional economic activity
x
Physical and social infrastructure investment and renewal is needed to underpin growth (key issues
are road transport, broadband speed and workforce development)
