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Regional Plan – RDA Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA, WHYALLA AND EYRE PENINSULA

REGIONAL PLAN 2013-14

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July 2013


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30 July 2013

Disclaimer: This report was produced by RDA Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula and does not necessarily represent the views of the

Australian Government, its officers, employees or agents. Neither RDA Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula nor any of its staff will have

any liability in any way arising from information or advice contained in this document. This document is intended as a guide only.

This document is the intellectual property and copyright 2013 of RDA Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula Inc. No part of this document

may be modified, or material used without seeking permission from the RDA Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula Inc.


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Contents

1. Message from the RDA Chair .............................................................................................................. 4

2. Executive Summary. ............................................................................................................................ 5

3. Vision for the Region. .......................................................................................................................... 8

4. Role of the RDA. ................................................................................................................................. 10

4.1 Strategic Context ................................................................................................................................. 10

4.2 Policy Context ...................................................................................................................................... 10

4.3 The Role of the RDA and Regional Plan in Achieving the Long-term Vision for the Region ................ 12

5. Analysis of the Region. ...................................................................................................................... 13

5.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................................. 13

5.2 Human Capital ..................................................................................................................................... 13

5.3 Sustainable Communities and Population Growth ............................................................................... 17

5.4 Access to International, National and Regional Markets ...................................................................... 20

5.5 Comparative Advantage and Regional Competitiveness ..................................................................... 22

6. Regional Priorities. ............................................................................................................................. 25

6.1 Priorities to Achieve the Regional Vision ............................................................................................. 25

6.2 Relationship to Regional Characteristics and Vision............................................................................ 25

6.3 Alignment with Local Government Priorities ....................................................................................... 27

7. RDA Activities, Projects and Initiatives. .......................................................................................... 28

7.1 RDAWEP Planning Documents ........................................................................................................... 28

7.2 Human Capital ..................................................................................................................................... 29

7.3 Sustainable Communities and Population Growth ............................................................................... 30

7.4 Access to International, National and Regional Markets ...................................................................... 31

7.5 Comparative Advantage and Regional Competitiveness ..................................................................... 33

7.6 Governance and Regional Leadership Initiatives ................................................................................ 35

8. Reference Sources. ............................................................................................................................ 36

Attachment 1: Regional Profile. ............................................................................................................ 39

Overview .................................................................................................................................................... 39

Human Capital ........................................................................................................................................... 41

Sustainable Communities and Population Growth ..................................................................................... 48

Access to International, National and Regional Markets............................................................................ 62

Comparative Advantage and Regional Competitiveness ........................................................................... 70

Attachment 2: Stakeholder Consultation and Partnerships. ............................................................. 79

Expectations and Status of the 2013-14 RDAWEP Regional Plan ............................................................ 79

PART 1: Existing Consultation and Partnership Strategies ................................................................ 79

Effective Cross-sectoral and Intergovernmental Partnerships ................................................................... 79

Stakeholder Engagement and Development of the Regional Plan ............................................................ 83

PART 2: Proposed Future Consultation and Partnership Strategies .................................................. 90

Community Consultation Strategy ............................................................................................................. 90

Role of Stakeholders in the Regional Plan Review .................................................................................... 91

Use of Data to Measure Outcomes and Achievements ............................................................................. 92


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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA Whyal la and Eyre Peninsula

1 . Message from the RDA Chair The Regional Development Australia, Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula (RDAWEP) Board is comprised of community and industry representatives from across the region who are responsible for planning and driving the region’s long-term sustainable development. The RDAWEP region is vast and the Board members come from different locations including Whyalla, Port Lincoln, Ceduna, Streaky Bay, Coffin Bay and Cleve. The Board members were selected for their skills and experience and they collectively represent a diverse range of business, industry, education, local government, natural resources, financial and community interests. This gives the Board intimate knowledge and understanding of the region and its characteristics. This collective knowledge is enhanced by information derived from ongoing formal and informal engagement with regional stakeholders including RDAWEP industry-based Target Teams, RDAWEP participation and involvement with a range of regional and community-based committees, and strategic planning initiatives undertaken by the region’s eleven local government Councils. The RDAWEP Board is therefore very well placed to determine a vision and the priorities that need to be pursued to achieve the region’s long term, sustainable economic and community growth. This Regional Plan provides an overview of the RDAWEP region’s strengths, needs, challenges and opportunities and identifies a path to be followed to achieve the Board’s vision for the region. This path will not be easy because some of the region’s main needs, such as the construction of major infrastructure, will only be met by significant financial investment from the government and private sector. This Regional Plan targets the period of 2013-2014 but will be effective to June 2016. The plan will be updated during this period if warranted by changing circumstances, new data and emerging opportunities. However some of the identified priority initiatives may not be achieved within this timeframe because, in addition to financial investment, they require the support and cooperation of other agencies which have their own competing policies, priorities and resource constraints. This 2013-14 Regional Plan was formally endorsed by the RDAWEP Board at its meeting on 26

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July 2013. Stakeholders and agencies across the region, particularly the three levels of government, are encouraged to embrace this Regional Plan and adopt it as the lead framework for the development of the RDAWEP region. Stakeholders requiring more detail about the region and descriptions of the key projects should refer to the RDAWEP Regional Prospectus 2013-16 which will be available on the RDAWEP website at www.eyreregion.com.au from September 2013. Disk copies of the Prospectus can be provided on request from the RDAWEP offices in Whyalla and Port Lincoln.

Jim Pollock Chair Regional Development Australia, Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula


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2 . Executive Summary The Regional Development Australia, Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula (RDAWEP) region is arguably the most complex and diverse planning region in rural South Australia. The region is sparsely populated, has eleven local government Councils, two regional cities and numerous townships spread over 232,780 square kilometres of land between the Spencer Gulf and the Western Australian border. The region has a diversity of industry including agriculture, manufacturing, fishing, aquaculture and tourism, and an emerging mining and renewable energy sector. The combination of a large geographical area, small population, industrial diversity and a pristine coastal and land environment presents a range of challenges for planning the region’s sustainable development. The region has numerous competing economic, community and environmental needs. The planning task is exacerbated by the tyranny of distance from metropolitan Adelaide and the limited capacity of transport and utility infrastructure, which is constraining development and preventing many exciting opportunities from being realised.

Strengths The region’s strengths are its industrial diversity, affordability and lifestyle, and the natural resources which enable the promotion of clean and green food product. The region’s agriculture, fishing and aquaculture industries have a distinctive marketing edge from their capacity to harvest clean and green products from the land and sea. This is the driving force behind branding the region as Eyre Peninsula - Australia’s Seafood Frontier. The hospitality sector has embraced this strength and the region is fast gaining a reputation as a culinary tourism destination. The region’s fishing industry is a recognised leader in applying the world’s best fishing practices and standards. The ecological sustainability of the tuna, prawn, rock lobster and abalone fisheries is actively championed by all sectors of the industry and is a key factor behind its business success. In recent years, fishing industry expertise has been transferred to the growing aquaculture industry, which is giving the region an international reputation as a producer of high quality and diversified seafood product. The region’s agriculture industry produces 42% of South Australia’s total agriculture output and approximately 97% of the region’s grain harvest is exported. The region therefore makes an important contribution to world food security and meeting the growing food demand. The combination of a pristine natural environment, clean and green quality food product and a diverse wealth of nature-based visitor experiences have helped to make tourism one of the region’s key and growing industries. Tourism presently contributes over $270 million per annum to the regional economy from 700 businesses. New product is continuously being developed and there is substantial opportunity for further growth with the region being marketed as a premier conference and culinary tourism destination.

Opportunities Opportunities abound to further diversify the region’s economic base through new industrial initiatives, the development of mining operations, and innovative renewable energy projects. Mining is the fastest growing industry in the region due to the potential of mineral resources in the Gawler Craton and the Eucla Basin such as heavy mineral sands, iron ore, copper, gold, uranium, zinc, nickel, petroleum, kaolin, graphite and coal. Iron Road’s Central Eyre Iron Project at Warramboo has the largest magnetite resource in Australia at 3.7 billion tonnes and is one of the top 20 mining projects in the world. Numerous other iron ore and graphite prospects are presently being developed and are close to commencing operation.


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Whyalla is the centre of manufacturing in regional South Australia and is being positioned as South Australia’s mining services hub. The regional city is strategically located with transport, engineering, business, retail and education sectors directly servicing mining and minerals processing developments. Several new industrial initiatives of major scale are being pursued which will value-add to Whyalla’s economic base and create numerous employment, business and housing development opportunities in the north of the region. The region has been identified as one of the best locations internationally for wind, solar and wave renewable energy development. Major wind farm developments and several solar and hydro thermal pilot initiatives are being progressed, along with a demonstration project by Muradel to produce commercial quantities of high quality biofuel from microalgae. The RDAWEP region is therefore well positioned to make a major contribution to achieve the Australian Government’s national renewable energy target for 2020. RDAWEP is recognised as one of South Australia’s most resourceful, innovative and economically vibrant regions. Innovation is a key driver stimulating new businesses and new jobs, as well as revitalising established industries. World class industry based research is being conducted through innovative programs and demonstration projects at the Minnipa Agriculture Centre, Lincoln Marine Science Centre, the University of SA and TAFE SA Regional. These facilities have a vital role in strengthening the region’s future capacity to initiate new product development. It is essential that Government and peak industry bodies collaborate to commit long-term investment into these facilities to enable research programs to continue and be extended.

Needs Efficient and productive infrastructure is essential for the region’s functioning, growth and economic competitiveness. But the region’s utility and transport infrastructure is of varying age and condition and there are issues concerning maintenance, increasing demand, and capacity constraints. The key transport infrastructure needs include upgrades to roads, rail, ports and airports to improve operational efficiencies and market access. The key utility infrastructure needs are to provide a sustainable water supply with less reliance on the River Murray; increase the gas supply to support manufacturing industries in Whyalla; increase the capacity of the power transmission network to support mining and business development and community functioning, and the need to improve communications infrastructure - especially expanding mobile phone signal coverage which will not be achieved by the NBN roll-out.

Challenges A key challenge is that many of the region’s development opportunities, such as mining and renewable energy projects, will not be realised unless the region’s infrastructure needs are addressed. Mining enterprises will not progress from exploration to operation until the road and rail networks are upgraded and bulk commodity port facilities with Cape class vessel capacity have been established to get the mineral resources to market. Major wind farm developments, such as the Green Grid proposal, cannot be established until the region’s electrical infrastructure has been upgraded, as the existing network does not have the capacity to meet the power transmission requirements. Industrial development at Whyalla is constrained by the capacity of the existing natural gas supply. The sustainability of the fishing industry is being severely curtailed by the lack of purpose-built offloading infrastructure, particularly in the far west of the region which is preventing viable access to fish resources in the Great Australian Bight. Community development and population growth is being hindered by the lack of a sustainable water supply.


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A second challenge is that the region does not have a large enough population to provide the workforce for proposed mining and industrial growth. Workforce demand is expected to escalate substantially with 4,500 new jobs required by 2016 in the mining sector alone, with a further 2,200 employees needed within the next ten years. The region has a relatively low unemployment rate and a pool of about 1,550 unemployed. But even if the unemployed and disadvantaged sectors of the community were sufficiently up-skilled to get employment there would be a workforce shortfall of approximately 3,000 jobs by 2016. The fact that the regional population is ageing at a faster rate than South Australia and Australia is exacerbating this workforce challenge as the growing number of retirees will shrink the pool of skilled and experienced workers in future years. This issue is magnified because the working cohort of people aged 15-39 is the smallest sector of the regional population, and will not be able to provide a replacement workforce. The region consequently has an additional challenge of needing to recruit a workforce from people who presently reside elsewhere. Fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) and drive-in-drive-out (DIDO) options are not the preferred workforce solution because of their well documented negative impact on regional communities in other parts of Australia. The RDAWEP Board therefore needs to initiate a proactive marketing strategy to promote the region’s virtues in order to encourage workforce families to relocate to the region. For this strategy to be successful, and to retain workforce families in the region, it is essential that social services and community infrastructure is upgraded in regional townships to provide the quality of life and liveability experiences that are expected by contemporary communities. This is placing a range of pressures on local government operations and service provision.

Regional Priorities The RDAWEP Board has identified the following priorities to pursue the long term sustainable development of the region:

• Build the capacity of the region’s communities to foster a cohesive and diverse

culture, strong civic leadership and high quality of family life.

• Facilitate and support growing and diverse enterprises to increase economic

activity.

• Foster innovative, globally competitive businesses in the region.

• Promote business investment in the region.

• Optimise international trade.

• Increase our regional population.

• Attract and retain a highly skilled workforce to meet existing and future needs of

the region.

• Promote flexible access to education and skills training programs and facilities to

strengthen the regional workforce.

• Attract investment for strategic infrastructure such as transport, ports, airports,

rail, water and energy to support the long-term growth of the region.

• Facilitate the recognition and preservation of community amenity assets for

present and future generations.

• Strengthen and promote RDAWEP as the lead agency for driving sustainable

economic and community development in the region.


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3 . Vision for the Region The RDAWEP Board’s long-term vision for the region is:

An innovative, internationally competitive regional economy that is ecologically sustainable and a great place to live.

The RDAWEP region is well positioned to facilitate and support a broad range of significant developments. The economy is extremely diverse with world-leading companies in agriculture, manufacturing, aquaculture, fishing, tourism and a fast emerging mining and renewable energy sector. Increasing the region’s capacity to create new knowledge and find new ways of doing business is pivotal to building a sustainable economy. Encouraging the development of innovative technology, cutting edge research, value-added products and more efficient processing and supply systems are key strategies that will strengthen the regional economy well into the 21

st century.

The process for achieving this vision requires finding the correct balance between economic and business development on the one hand and environmental and community development on the other. There is no point in creating new industries and new jobs to encourage economic growth if the natural attributes and liveability of the region deteriorate in the process. This Regional Plan sets a strategic path to find that balance. The RDAWEP mission is:

To develop a globally competitive economy and liveable communities through fostering environmentally and socially sustainable business and industry development.

The Board has identified regional priorities that need to be pursued to achieve the vision and mission. There is a wealth of potential projects and initiatives that could be implemented during this pursuit, but the options are not always complementary. At times the Board may need to make difficult decisions about meritorious but competing project priorities to ensure that the regional vision and mission can be achieved. The opportunity to encourage mining development on the Lower Eyre Peninsula while safeguarding food production, water aquifers and rural liveability is a paradigm example in this respect. The opportunity to develop industry and bulk export facilities at Port Bonython while preserving the natural assets and recreational amenity of Point Lowly is another. Some issues stand out as being critical to the long term sustainable development of the region. • Water Security: A long term, sustainable water supply must be found for community and

industry use. The existing supply drawn from ground water basins with top-up reliance from the River Murray is sufficient for the region’s immediate needs but is arguably not sustainable in the longer term. The Eyre Peninsula Demand and Supply Statement has identified that the demand for potable water is expected to exceed supply in 2020-21 and the demand for non-potable water is secure to about 2050. But this is single generation planning and, given the present state of the River Murray, it is absurd that Whyalla’s mains water supply is drawn from this source and that a slurry of Murray River and aquifer water is being provided as far away as Ceduna. Desalinated water might not be cost effective with present technologies but, with 2,000 kilometres of coastline around the region, it might be the only option for a long term sustainable water supply. Water is obviously critical to the region’s future growth and prosperity but a better supply option needs to be found than a single generation solution.


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• Business Development: The diversity of the economic base is one of the region’s great strengths. The regional economy has strong potential to become sustainable because it is not reliant on a single industry or product sector. This gives the region inbuilt resilience to overcome the challenges of climate change and external economic impacts. The operational and development needs of each business sector need to be addressed to increase competitiveness and strengthen the regional economy. New development opportunities also need to be fostered to further diversify the business sector.

• Infrastructure Provision: The region’s economic development opportunities will not be

realised without the necessary support infrastructure. Business growth opportunities – such as the progression of mining enterprises from exploration to operation, new industrial developments in Whyalla and renewable energy initiatives – will not materialise unless the essential supportive infrastructure is in place. The provision of a sustainable water supply, an upgrade of the electrical transmission system, connection to the standard gauge rail network, construction of bulk commodities export facilities, increased gas supply to Whyalla and strategic road improvements are needed to secure the future prosperity of the region.

• Workforce Development: The regional population is not large enough to provide the

workforce for predicted business growth. Even if the entire region’s unemployed and underemployed were sufficiently up-skilled to gain employment there would be a notable shortfall in the labour demand. The workforce must therefore be recruited from elsewhere – but there is strong competitive demand across Australia for skilled and experienced labour. A fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) drive-in-drive-out (DIDO) option is not the preferred solution for this region. In spite of what is being espoused by the mining industry, experience in the Pilbara and Queensland indicates quite clearly that FIFO DIDO workforces negatively impact the economy and liveability of regional communities. Some of the region’s mining companies support this view and are giving employment priority to people who either live in or are willing to relocate their families to the region. This needs to be supported by way of a proactive marketing strategy to promote the benefits of living in the region.

• Liveability Enhancement: The workforce development strategy will only succeed if the region can deliver on its promises. Attracting a workforce to the region is one thing - but retaining it is another. A concerted effort therefore needs to be made to ensure that the region’s towns and communities have the infrastructure, services and amenity to support the liveability of workforce families. A collective planning approach by the three levels of government - that is supported, endorsed and embraced by our regional communities – will be necessary to ensure that a workforce is developed and retained.

This development framework is substantive and it will take many years for the regional vision to be fully achieved. Some of the priority projects can be realised within the next 1-3 years, but others will take much longer because they rely on the cooperation and resources of different government and community stakeholders. The implementation of major infrastructure and capital development initiatives requires significant funding investment by the government and private sector, and the progress of these projects will ultimately be subject to their competing priorities and resource constraints. This Regional Plan maps a strategic path to achieve the Board’s vision. The Australian Government, South Australian Government, Local Government, community and private sector are encouraged to embrace and adopt this vision and plan as the blueprint for the long term sustainable development of the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region.


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4 . Role of the RDA

4.1 Strategic Context Regional Development Australia, Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula Inc. is the region’s leading economic and regional development agency, servicing eleven Local Government Authorities (LGA’s) – i.e. The City of Whyalla, The City of Port Lincoln, the District Council (DC) of Ceduna, DC Cleve, DC Elliston, DC Franklin Harbour, DC Kimba, DC Lower Eyre Peninsula, DC Streaky Bay, DC Tumby Bay, and Wudinna DC. RDAWEP is part of an Australia wide network of 55 Regional Development Australia Committees established as a national initiative in 2009. RDAWEP was founded on a cooperative arrangement between the Australian Government, State Government and the region’s local member Councils. The benefit of this regional framework is that it strengthens the partnership between the three levels of government. RDAWEP was established through the amalgamation of the Eyre Regional Development Board and the Whyalla Economic Development Board. This arrangement was extremely beneficial because both Boards had a proven track record and reputation of supporting and driving regional development for their communities over the previous two decades. This experience, along with comprehensive local intelligence, underpins the operations of RDAWEP and provides an invaluable resource for successfully delivering outcomes to benefit industry and the regional community. Whilst the three levels of government provide the core funding for RDAWEP operations, the organisation has been very successful in attracting and leveraging funding from a wide variety of sources for the delivery of high priority projects and services. RDAWEP was established as an incorporated association, operating as an independent, autonomous body. The organisation has a Board of management comprised of high profile people from across the region representing business, industry, education, local government, finance, natural resources and the community, with members selected for their experience and relevant skills. The Board is supported by a staff team with extensive government and private sector experience in a wide variety of economic and regional development activities. RDAWEP is therefore uniquely placed to facilitate strategic economic and regional development initiatives for the long term sustainability of the region.

4.2 Policy Context There is widespread government policy recognition about the importance of regional Australia to the national economy and the need to develop and strengthen regional partnerships to ensure stronger regional growth and a more sustainable nation. This is clearly demonstrated at the national level by the Stronger Regions, Stronger Nation statement by Minister Simon Crean in 2012, which emphasised the need for a bottom-up consultation approach using the knowledge and skills of local communities to identify priorities and determine local responses to economic, social and environmental challenges. (Australian Government

Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport, Stronger Regions, Stronger Nation, Statement by

the Minister, 8th May 2012).


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This Australian Government policy direction has been strengthened by the adoption of the COAG Regional Australia Standing Council (COAG RASC) framework for regional economic development based on five agreed key determinants of long-term regional economic growth. (Australian

Government, Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport, Regional Australia Standing Council

Framework for Regional Economic Development, 2013). However, the policy context for regional development is changing and making RDA Committee operations more difficult. RDA Committees were initially established as incorporated associations and operated as independent and autonomous bodies, but the degree of autonomy is gradually being eroded in the pursuit of better outcomes and greater levels of accountability. At the national level, RDA has raised the performance expectations of RDA Committees, which are now less able to pursue regional development planning in accordance with their own local knowledge and expertise. What were previously operational suggestions and guidelines have now become key performance indicators linked with the Operational Funding Agreement. RDA Committees are expected to demonstrate greater levels of community and stakeholder consultation. The original economic development role has been broadened to become more holistic and encompass social and community development, education, health and natural resources management. But the core funding provision is not commensurate with this expanded role, forcing existing staff to adopt more responsibilities as RDA Committees are unable to recruit additional personnel with the appropriate expertise. At the State level, both the policy and operational context for South Australian RDA Committees suffered a severe jolt during 2012-13 when the State Government broke the funding Resource Agreement and partnership with Local Government. In the case of RDAWEP, State funding was reduced from $633,000 to $200,000 per annum, but the $200,000 is only accessible via a convoluted and long application process which is taxing on limited RDAWEP resources. The breaking of the Resource Agreement is a significant threat because it has put pressure on the region’s local member Councils to increase their funding to RDAWEP. This has caused several Councils to review the benefits of their core funding contributions, which has created an air of uncertainty about future RDAWEP operations. This set of events was shortly followed by the release of a State Government Draft Regional Statement outlining its commitment to the development of regional South Australia. (Government of South Australia, Primary Industries and Regions SA, Draft Regional Statement, Growing Sustainable Regions, 2012). The Regional Statement championed the State Government as the leader of regional development planning in South Australia but ignored the role of the State’s seven regional RDA Committees. The statement emphasised the importance of strengthening regional partnerships at the very time the State Government had broken the major partnership with RDA Committees and Local Government. The statement also positioned the State Government to take the credit for several regional development achievements, despite the fact that these initiatives had largely been achieved through the support and funding of other parties - mainly RDA Committees and the Australian Government. This polarised government policy context is severely impacting the operation of South Australian RDA Committees. At the national level, RDA Committees are expected to lift their standards, broaden their role and deliver better long-term regional development outcomes, but without a commensurate increase in core funding to support this role. And at the State level, RDA Committees have had their operational capacity curtailed by a significant core funding reduction and have effectively been disenfranchised as drivers of regional economic development by South Australian Government policy which reallocates regional development achievements to the State.


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4.3 Role of RDA Committee and Regional Plan in Achieving the Long-term Vision The role of the RDAWEP Committee and Regional Plan in achieving the long-term vision is relatively simple. In essence and in theory, the committee has a planning, facilitation and lobbying role.

• Planning: The Regional Plan identifies initiatives to maximise the economic and social development of the region. The priority initiatives are actions that will achieve the greatest possible impact for the betterment of the region and are critical for regional growth and sustainability. This Regional Plan provides a framework for implementing these initiatives based on a comprehensive understanding the region’s characteristics, needs, opportunities and vision for the future.

• Facilitation: RDAWEP has determined an action plan to drive the implementation of the priority and other initiatives. At times this role will be direct – such as providing assistance with the preparation of business cases, grant funding applications and the administration of funds. At other times the role will be indirect – i.e. through the provision of support to community groups, industry and other agencies to facilitate their empowerment to drive project implementation. Some actions will be more time consuming to implement than others. Some require a significant investment of RDAWEP staff resources, whereas others only require liaison with one or several stakeholders on an occasional basis.

• Lobbying: In practice the achievement of the regional vision is constrained by several factors. The RDAWEP region is vast and there are a large number of projects being planned or undertaken at any one time by RDAWEP, Local Government, and State and Australian Government partners. Some of these projects are the province and responsibility of the RDA and their implementation can effectively be driven by RDAWEP. Others however, are largely out of RDAWEP control because they are the financial and/or project management responsibility of different stakeholder agencies and the project implementation will be subject to the resource and timeframe priorities of these organisations. For example, the provision of appropriate utility, transport and community infrastructure is arguably the greatest need in the region. Mining opportunities on the lower Eyre Peninsula cannot progress from exploration to operation until the necessary infrastructure is in place. But major infrastructure projects – such as the upgrade of the road and rail network, construction of bulk commodities export facilities and upgrading the capacity of the region’s electrical transmission network – will not be achieved without significant infrastructure investment by the government and private sector. However, funding and development approval constraints indicate that the implementation schedules for major infrastructure will not necessarily match the priority and urgency identified by RDAWEP in this Regional Plan. In such instances, RDAWEP must undertake a lobbying role to encourage different agency priorities to become aligned for the long-term betterment of the region. This is easier said than done with different government agencies positioning their policies and plans for precedence to lead the development of the region. The degree of difficulty is exacerbated in South Australia due to the State Government giving major infrastructure development priority to projects in metropolitan Adelaide.

In summary, the role of RDAWEP to achieve the regional vision is to find the most effective pathway through competing government policy and planning priorities and budget allocations. In practice, the implementation of projects and initiatives will often be out of RDAWEP control and it will consequently take longer than the three-year term of this Regional Plan for the long-term vision to be achieved.


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5 . Analysis of the Region

5.1 Overview

The RDAWEP region is one of the most complex and diverse planning regions in South Australia. The remote location, large geographical area, small and sparse population and industrial diversity present a range of challenges and opportunities for the region’s economic and community development. The region has competing economic, community and environmental needs that are exacerbated by the tyranny of distance from metropolitan Adelaide and the limited capacity of transport and utility infrastructure.

5.2 Human Capital

General Characteristics The regional population is ageing at a faster rate than South Australia and Australia, and young people aged 15-24 comprise the smallest population sector. This ageing factor is clearly reflected in the regional workforce, which has an older profile for most industry sectors than South Australia and Australia. (See Attachment 1, pp. 42-3). The region’s unemployment rate of 5.8% is marginally above the rates for South Australia and Australia. The unemployment rate has declined marginally by 0.1% since 2006, whereas the rates for Australia and the State have increased. The region also has pockets of entrenched unemployment, with a higher proportion of people on Newstart allowance for more than one year compared with South Australia and Australia. (See Attachment 1, p. 51). The education profile of the regional workforce corresponds with known differences about regional areas and capital cities – i.e. regional workers have lower attainment levels of year 12 and tertiary education, they are less likely to have studied after they left school, but are more likely to hold vocational qualifications of Certificate III or higher than workers in capital cities. (See Attachment

1, pp. 44-53). The regional population has a higher proportion of Aboriginal people when compared to South Australia and Australia. The profile of the region’s Aboriginal population is consistent with the findings of Productivity Commission and other studies about Aboriginal disadvantage which indicate that, compared with the non-Indigenous population, Aboriginal well being is being impacted by much lower levels of educational attainment, higher levels of entrenched unemployment, lower labour force participation, and a disproportionately high percentage of Aboriginal unskilled and semi-skilled workers in the labour force. (Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST),

Eyre and Western, Strategic Plan to guide resource allocation for participation and equity programs 2011-2013, April 2012,

p.16). These characteristics present a number of challenges for the development of the region’s human capital, particularly with the provision of a skilled and experienced regional workforce.


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Workforce Challenges The development of a skilled workforce is a major economic issue across Australia and a priority concern in the RDAWEP region. Some of the key challenges currently impacting Australian workforce development include:

• The ageing population: The looming surge of Baby Boomers reaching retirement age has the potential to shrink the pool of skilled and experienced workers in future years. This is fast becoming a major issue as population projections indicate that the proportion of South Australia’s population aged 65 and over will increase to 22.6% in 2020 and 25.7% by 2030. (DFEEST, 2012, p.5).

• Labour demand and supply: Job openings will be created by the replacement demand

from workforce retirements and the onset of major projects (e.g. in mining, defence, infrastructure, urban development and water management). However, the skill sets of those who are unemployed or underemployed do not match industry employment needs, usually due to low levels of literacy and numeracy, a lack of work readiness, and poor educational attainment. (DFEEST, 2012, pp. 5-7).

• Competition: There is increasing industry competition to attract the most skilled and

experienced labour, particularly in locations with growing mining activity where existing industries are unable to compete with the wage levels being offered as incentive to secure mining workforces. The mining and resources sector consequently has high levels of mobility and a turnover rate above 20%. (The Weekend Australian, Skills remain a hot commodity,

October 27-28, 2012, p.32). South Australia, in particular, faces a bigger struggle for skilled workers than other states because of its ageing population coupled with net interstate migration. (The Advertiser, Search Here, There and Everywhere for Staff, November 3, 2011, p. 60).

These challenges are magnified in regional areas due to a complex range of locational factors.

Remote Locations and Small Population Base Regional employers have more difficulty recruiting skilled and experienced workers than those in capital cities. Due to the smaller population base of many regional areas, employers generally attract smaller numbers of applicants and fill a lower proportion of their vacancies. More remote areas suffer from ‘locational mismatch’ where workers with the required skills and experience are not in close proximity to the available jobs. (Australian Government, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Jobs, 2013, pp. 5 & 27). Employers in the RDAWEP region have experienced recruitment difficulties due to the lack of experience, qualifications and employability skills of applicants, with the greatest difficulty in the recruitment of technicians and trade workers (65%), managers and professionals (58%), community and personal service workers (43%), and machinery operators and drivers (38%). (DEEWR, Survey of Employer’s Recruitment Experiences, Eyre Peninsula Labour Market, February 2011). These factors are becoming acute in the agriculture and aged care sectors of the region. Impediments to the development of a skilled agricultural workforce include:

• The competitive labour market is making it difficult to attract and retain workers. • Labour attraction is difficult due to the poor image of the agricultural industry – i.e.

seasonal employment and negative messages about agricultural working conditions. • The ageing agricultural workforce is posing a significant challenge to maintaining the

industry’s workforce capabilities.


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• Rural locations deter people from relocating to and staying in regional areas. • The number of employees in the agricultural industry with formal qualifications is

comparatively lower than in other industries, and many agricultural workers have skills which have not been formally recognised. (Industries Development Committee Workforce, Training

and Skills Working Group, Workforce Training and Skills Issues in Agriculture, Final Report to the Primary

Industries, October 2009, pp. 4 & 12). Even though employment in the region’s agricultural sector has declined by 16.8% since 2011, there is need to provide more accessible training programs to improve workforce capability and provide formal qualifications. The AgriFood Regional Initiative (see Attachment 2) is aimed at driving sustainable skills and employment development in the primary production sector. Similar impediments are impacting the region’s fast growing aged care sector. The key issues are:

• The loss of capability from an ageing and retiring workforce (50.9% are over the age of 45),

• The need to provide ongoing training for replacement workers, and • Recruitment difficulties due to (1) the remote location, (2) the unattractive profile of the

aged care sector, (3) poor salaries (i.e. nursing staff in aged care facilities earn approximately $30 per hour compared with $40 per hour in regional hospitals), and (4) the high proportion of part time and casual positions in the industry (i.e. much of the work is being undertaken by contractors who boost their hours through part time work with several aged care service providers). (RDAWEP, consultation workshop with aged care providers in Port Lincoln, 3rd July 2013).

Census data indicates that about half (50.6%) of the region’s health care and social assistance workforce (which includes the aged care sector) work between 1 and 34 hours per week, with the largest proportion (21.8%) employed for 25-34 hours per week. Sample data supplied by one provider in the Lower Eyre Peninsula aged care sector indicates that most of the service provision in 2013 was being undertaken by 77 independent contractor (60 female and 17 male), 41 of whom were over 50 years of age. (RDAWEP, consultation workshop with aged care providers in Port Lincoln, 3rd July 2013).

INDUSTRY Number of Hours Worked Total

Workforce 1-15 16-24 25-34 35-39

Health care and social assistance

No. % No. % No. % No. %

361 12.1 500 16.7 652 21.8 607 20.3 2,986

Table 1: Number of Hours Worked in the Health Care and Social Assistance Industry.

(ABS, 2011 Census, Expanded Community Profile, Eyre Peninsula and South West, Table X 38). Aged care training in Home and Community Care is being provided through TAFE SA in Port Lincoln, but there is need to make this training provision more accessible.

Attraction and Retention of a Regional Workforce The attraction and retention of a regional workforce is a major issue for all industries in the region. Pending growth of the manufacturing and mineral resources sectors has made workforce development a high priority concern of the RDAWEP Board. In October 2011 the SA Training and Skills Commission released a report prepared by the Resources and Engineering Skills Alliance (RESA), which identified that more than 6,700 new jobs could be created on the Eyre Peninsula over the next ten years by mining projects alone. This estimate was comprised of 4,500 jobs by 2016 with 1,700 of these required by 2014, and a further 2,200 jobs by 2021 (these estimates include a job turnover rate of 15% to 30% per annum). (Resources and Engineering Skills Alliance (RESA), Workforce Study for the Resources Sector in the Eyre Peninsula,

October 2011, p.3).


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A follow-up scoping study by RESA in 2013 analysed the current and future workforce requirements of the South Australian resources sector for 2013-2020. This study found that the average total employment for operational and approved mining projects over the next seven years is 14,788. The data was obtained from 25 operating mines, 5 of which are located in the RDAWEP region. (The workforce demand from the regional mines cannot be identified for confidentiality reasons, as only aggregated data was published in the report). Importantly, the study identified that additional workforce demand will come from another 34 mining projects that are presently awaiting approval, and over one third of these projects (12) are located in the RDAWEP region.

PROJECT/MINE COMPANY RESOURCE

Operating and/or approved projects in the RDAWEP region.

Iron Chieftain Arrium Mining Ltd Iron ore - hematite

Middleback Range Arrium Mining Ltd Iron ore - hematite

Jacinth-Ambrosia Iluka Resources Ltd Heavy mineral sands

Wilcherry Hill Ironclad Mining Ltd Iron ore - magnetite

Wilgerup Centrex Metals Ltd Iron ore - hematite

Projects awaiting approval in the RDAWEP region.

Atacama/Typhoon Iluka Resources Ltd Heavy mineral sands

Bungalow Centrex Metals Ltd Iron ore - magnetite

Fusion Eyre Iron Pty Ltd Iron ore - magnetite

Gum Flat Lincoln Minerals Ltd Iron ore - hematite

Hematite Extension Project Arrium Mining Ltd Iron ore - hematite

Menninnie Dam Terramin Australia Ltd Lead, zinc ,silver

Poochera Minotaur Exploration Ltd Kaolin

Samphire Uranium SA Uranium

Sonoran Iluka Resources Ltd Heavy mineral sands

Tripitaka Iluka Resources Ltd Heavy mineral sands

Uley Strategic Energy Resources Graphite

Warramboo Iron Road Ltd. Iron ore - magnetite

Table 2: Mining Projects in the RDAWEP Region.

The employment demand details of the projects awaiting approval were not included in the study but will be analysed as a Part 2 follow-up report. However the 2013 report confirms and supports the findings of the 2011 study about the extent of future employment demand from the region’s resources sector. It should be note that the 2011 study did not include the future impact of the proposed Olympic Dam expansion (which will create an estimated 10,000-15,000 in the longer term), nor did it include the employment demand from pending industrial developments in Whyalla, as the feasibility studies for these projects had not been completed at the time. (Cameron England, Retaining staff vital for resources sector, The Advertiser, SA Business Journal, October, 2011, p. 5). In short, the potential workforce growth in the region is quite significant but, in view of the skills under demand by the mining industry, it is unlikely that the most of the positions will be filled locally. RESA workforce research indicated that the largest number of job openings would be for the following occupations: Accountant Electrical Engineer Production or Plant Engineer

Surveyor Mechanical Engineers Mining Engineer

Environmental Scientist Geologist Metallurgist

OH&S Professional Metallurgic Technician Motor Mechanic - Diesel

Laboratory Technician Electrical Technician Mechanical Technician

Welder Metal Fabricator/Boilermaker Fitter

Electrician Driller Miner

Stationary Plant Operator Truck Driver Mining Support Worker

Table 3: Main occupations sought by mining projects in the RDAWEP Region.


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The qualifications in greatest demand ranged from Certificate II to IV level in various categories through to a Bachelor of Science (Mineral Geoscience) and Bachelor of (Mechanical) Engineering. The positions available to applicants without experience ranged from nil for some technical roles to 100% for plant operators. A general estimate was that about 10-20% of the positions requiring formal qualifications would be available for people without mining experience. (RESA, 2011, p. 4). The region’s educational profile indicates that very few of the positions requiring formal qualifications could be filled locally due to the region’s low levels of tertiary education attainment. Given the high proportion of people in the region possessing Certificate III and over, there is likely to be strong competition for the limited number of positions requiring these qualifications. The longer term unemployed people, with few or no qualifications and little work experience, are highly unlikely to gain employment in the region’s mining sector. In 2011, the region had 1,558 unemployed people but it is estimated that the mining sector alone will require about 4,500 jobs by 2016. Even if the entire region’s unemployed were sufficiently up-skilled and provided with jobs there would be a shortfall of approximately 3,000 positions. Some of these positions (such as plant operators, maintenance crews and truck drivers) might be filled locally by attracting people from existing industries (e.g. ticketed plant operators in local Councils). But the vacated positions would then need to be back-filled. In other words, the employment shortfall would remain and the workforce would need to be recruited from elsewhere. The option of “advertising and hope they come” is high risk, as demonstrated by the recruitment experience of employers in all industries across the region. The region therefore needs to adopt a proactive multi-pronged approach for the development of its human capital, including:

• Create local employment opportunities and minimise the migration of young people from the region by providing school students with industry specific skills training and school-to-career pathways. RDAWEP is pursuing this strategy through the services of its Education Skills and Jobs Coordinator.

• Address the employment and social needs of the longer term unemployed and disadvantaged groups by providing case management and other support to remove barriers to education; overcome social exclusion; improve work readiness, training and workforce participation; and provide the skill sets desired by industry. RDAWEP is pursuing this strategy through the services of its Employment and Skills Development Managers and Aboriginal Participation Brokers in Port Lincoln and Whyalla.

• Facilitate industry engagement in workforce development planning to ensure that skills training programs meet industry employment needs. The appointment of a dedicated Workforce Development Officer has been identified as a high priority by the RDAWEP Board and funding for this position is being pursued.

• Implement a range of intra and interstate workforce attraction strategies to recruit skilled and experienced labour from outside the region. This is being pursued in liaison with regional mining companies. The preparation of a Regional Prospectus to promote the benefits of locating to the region will value-add to this strategy.

5.3 Sustainable Communities and Population Growth

Ageing Population Characteristics and Issues The regional community has grown marginally (4.5%) since 2001 and this growth has mainly occurred in coastal townships. The regional population is also ageing at a faster rate than South Australia and Australia, with the result that family couples without children comprise the largest sector of the regional population (42.8%) and the proportion of family couples with children (39.5%) is below the rates for South Australia (41.5%) and Australia (44.6%). The ageing of the population is reflected in the regional workforce, which has an older profile than South Australia and Australia in most industry sectors. (See Attachment 1, p. 50).


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Younger people aged 15-24 and 25-39 comprise the smallest proportions of the regional population at 12.1% and 17.8% respectively and this is consistent in each of the eleven local government areas. The combination of a growing aged sector and diminishing numbers of younger people is not sustainable in the long term. Retirements will diminish the labour force of skilled and experienced labour and create employment openings, but there will be less choice with a capable replacement pool. The RDAWEP school-to-career workforce development strategy will partially address the latter by minimising the migration of young people from the region. However the ageing population will result in a growing demand for services from the health and social assistance sector and exacerbate issues impacting health service provision, such as the difficulty of attracting and retaining a health workforce in a regional location, the growing demand for specialist services and transport demand and logistics to access health services. The fact that the aged care sector workforce is itself ageing further adds to this dilemma, given the recruitment difficulties in securing replacement aged care staff. The health and aged care services sector has plans in place to address these issues. RDAWEP can provide indirect support by driving initiatives to attract labour from outside the region.

Socio-Economic Characteristics and Issues The region has a lower socio-economic profile than the state and nation, with lower levels of personal, family and household income and higher levels of income dependency for carer and single parent payments, disability support and Newstart. The region has a markedly higher proportion of people who have been receiving Newstart for over one year, indicating that there are pockets of entrenched unemployment in some sectors of the region, notably in Whyalla and Ceduna. This lower socio-economic profile impacts the well-being of the region’s Aboriginal population which has higher levels of unemployment and lower levels of educational attainment and labour force participation. (See Attachment 1, pp. 48-9 & 51). The economic needs of the unemployed and disadvantaged will largely be addressed through the RDAWEP workforce training and participation strategy, and Aboriginal employment and business development strategies. But these are long term development initiatives that will take many years to achieve. Whilst the regional income levels are lower, housing is generally cheaper with median rents and mortgages below the South Australian rates. Approximately three-quarters of the region’s rental properties are located in Whyalla and Port Lincoln, with most of the region’s housing authority properties (68.5%) located in Whyalla. (See Attachment 1, pp. 52-3). The region nevertheless has a need for more affordable, quality and specialist housing to accommodate professional workforces in the larger regional centres, workforce families in towns impacted by mining and industrial development, Aboriginal people (particularly in Ceduna, Port Lincoln and Aboriginal communities), and specialist housing to meet the future needs of retires and the aged care sector. A growing aged population and pending mining developments led the District Council of Tumby Bay to develop sustainable future structure plans for the long term development of Tumby Bay and Port Neill in anticipation of housing growth demand. This is a visionary planning initiative that should be adopted by local government across the region. Some other Councils have similar housing development strategies underway – e.g. at Whyalla, Port Lincoln, and Wudinna. Housing development in Whyalla includes 1,500 allotments at the Whyalla Ocean Eyre Estate including a 185 unit retirement village. (Master Plan, Tumby Bay Sustainable Future Structure Plan – Stage 1 Discussion Paper,

May 2012 and Port Neill Sustainable Future Structure Plan, Consultation Report, June 2013).


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RDAWEP, through the auspices of the Whyalla Target Team, is assisting the preparation of an Aged Care Master Plan for Whyalla, which will address the future housing needs of the ageing population including specialist housing requirements for disability and dementia care.

Sustainable Community Development The other issues concerning the sustainable development of the regional community include water security, climate change adaption and the need to grow the regional population.

Water Security The region will not have a future without a sustainable water supply. While demand and supply data indicates that the region has an ample supply of potable water to 2020-21 and non-potable water to 20250, a longer term solution needs to be determined. SA Water’s long term plan is to provide a single 2.5GL desalination plant near Port Lincoln to supplement the ground water basin supply network. However there is community desire for a network of desalination plants at different coastal locations to provide a more secure localised water supply across the region. RDAWEP will pursue the cost and other logistics of water desalination in liaison with the Eyre Peninsula Water Security Reference Group – see (See Attachment 1, pp. 58-9 and Attachment

2).

Climate Change Adaption The potential impact of climate change on the region is significant and could affect the productivity and sustainability of the agriculture, fishing and aquaculture industries. The Eyre Peninsula Climate Change Agreement (EPICCA) Committee has completed Stage 1 of climate change adaption plan for the region and the Stage 2 Regional Adaption Action Plan is currently being prepared. RDAWEP participates on the EPICCA Committee and the Adaption Action Plan outcomes will be carefully considered because they are likely to have implications for economic development and other planning decisions and the sustainability of the region as a whole. (See Attachment 1, p.59).

Population Growth Population growth is essential for the sustainability of the region, not just for the provision of a workforce, but to bring economies of scale to underpin the functioning and development of the regional economy. The RDAWEP Regional Prospectus has the purpose of encouraging families to relocate to the region by showcasing the region’s natural attributes and the employment and liveability benefits. But the prospectus is essentially a marketing tool and needs to be supported by on-ground initiatives to ensure that the liveability benefits have substance. Some families will not locate to regional areas because they harbour concerns about the lack of social services and community infrastructure particularly in the areas of health care, child care, and the range and quality of education facilities. The population growth strategy needs to entail initiatives to provide appropriate housing and the social and community infrastructure necessary to provide quality of life and liveability experiences for workforce families. (KPMG, Social Infrastructure Planning to Support Resources Growth, Infrastructure short report, March 2012). RDAWEP is consequently pursuing the development and upgrade of recreational and cultural infrastructure across the region, is supporting the development of educational services and facilities, and has identified the need to support local government with township enhancement and streetscape strategies. The initiatives to value-add to the region’s seafood product and promote brand Eyre Peninsula are not designed to just target tourists and visitors, but are equally directed toward the community to ensure that the region is and remains a great place to work and live.


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5.4 Access to International, National and Regional Markets

Infrastructure Challenges The region’s infrastructure is constraining market access, and preventing many development opportunities from being realised. The condition of existing infrastructure is described in Attachment 1: pp. 62-9. The key infrastructure issues are:

INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

Road Network

• The need to determine triple road train routes to accommodate the functioning of mining developments and negotiate appropriate road upgrades and maintenance

arrangements. • The strategic installation of overtaking lanes on the highway network to improve

safety and accommodate the growing but competing use of highways by road trains

and tourist recreation vehicles. • The need for a major upgrade of the Kingoonya to Wirrulla Road to enhance travel

between the Flinders and Outback and Eyre Peninsula tourism regions.

Rail Network:

• The need to enhance market accessibility by connecting the narrow gauge Eyre Peninsula rail system to the national standard gauge network.

• The provision of a standard gauge railway link to a port export facility with Cape

class vessel capacity.

Ports:

• The need for a major upgrade of Thevenard Port to improve export capacity in the

west of region and enhance market competitiveness. • The need to construct purpose-built offloading facilities for the fishing industry at

Thevenard and Port Lincoln to improve operations and the delivery of seafood

product to market. • The need for a bulk commodities export facility on the east coast of Eyre Peninsula

to support mining operations and the export of minerals and grain.

• The need for a bulk commodities export facility with Cape class vessel capacity in the vicinity of Whyalla to support mining operations in northern South Australia.

• The need to fully develop the transhipment export facility at Lucky Bay as an

alternative port solution.

Airports:

• A major upgrade of Whyalla and Ceduna Airports to accommodate passenger growth and support mining and business developments.

• The need to upgrade of smaller airports across the region to support mining

developments.

Communications:

• Preferred acceleration of the NBN rollout-across the region, with the need to review the fibre connection to some smaller towns.

• The need to improve the provision of mobile phone towers at strategic locations across the Lower Eyre Peninsula to enhance community and business communications.

Utilities Infrastructure:

Power Transmission • The need to support transport infrastructure development initiatives and community

functioning by way of a significant upgrade of the region’s power transmission

system.

Gas Provision • The need to enhance business competitiveness and support industry development

initiatives at Whyalla and the Upper Spencer Gulf by increasing the natural gas

supply from Port Pirie.

Water Supply • There is a need to find a long term sustainable water solution that does not draw

supply from the River Murray.

Table 4: Infrastructure Challenges in the RDAWEP Region.

These infrastructure needs are the big capex items on the regional development needs list and require significant financial investment from the government and private sector to be progressed.


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Regional Mining and Infrastructure Plan A strategic analysis of the region’s future infrastructure needs is required to optimise stakeholder investment. In 2011, the South Australian Government advisory body for resources and energy, the Resources and Energy Sector Infrastructure Council (RESIC), undertook a resources and energy infrastructure demand study (IDS) across the state. The IDS built on previous studies conducted in 2007 and 2009. (Parsons Brinckerhoff, 2011 Resources and Energy Infrastructure Demand Study, November 2011). The IDS was released for community consultation about the proposed establishment of three corridor supply chains for all infrastructure (power, water, rail, road) to three strategically located deep sea ports to service the Eyre Peninsula, the Far North and Braemar Province – i.e. Port Bonython (to service the Far North), Port Spencer (to service the Eyre Peninsula), and Myponie Point (on the Yorke Peninsula, to service the Braemar Province). The IDS made several key recommendations, including:

1. The development of infrastructure corridors and utility hubs through a master planning process to identify and clarify the associated infrastructure planning policy, regulatory and commercial issues with the identified corridors and utility hubs.

2. The development of three deep sea ports serviced by rail and road infrastructure, sufficient to support the future development of minerals and energy projects in South Australia.

3. The appointment of a case manager to work with mining companies, the Australian Energy Regulator and ElectraNet, to accelerate the 275kV augmentation on Eyre Peninsula.

4. Detailed mapping of ground water resources and potential extractable volumes in key areas – such as the Eyre Peninsula - to identify sustainable water supply solutions for future resources projects.

The IDS was intended to be a masterplan for future infrastructure investment to meet the needs of the mining industry, but the study was in adequate in many respects. The IDS did not address:

• The capacity and capability of existing infrastructure, • The volume and life span characteristics of the minerals resources, • Whether mining companies had secured export markets, • The priorities to attract future investment, • A market driven and staged ‘demand and response’ approach for different sized

companies to maximise the use of existing port infrastructure and manage financial risk and infrastructure investment,

• Multi-port usage options – i.e. Thevenard Port, the Arrium port at Whyalla, Port Adelaide and the Lucky Bay CUEF were not included in the study, even though Thevenard Port is critical for commodities exports from the far west of Eyre Peninsula,

• Renewable energy options for the utilities provision – even though numerous wind, solar and geothermal projects were being developed on the Eyre Peninsula and Upper Spencer Gulf, and

• Key issues about workforce housing and the community infrastructure required to attract and retain a workforce for the pending developments.

In short, the RESIC study failed to deliver a comprehensive masterplan for infrastructure investment in South Australia. The RDA committees of Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula, Far North and Yorke and Mid North consequently initiated a project to develop a more comprehensive integrated infrastructure masterplan for the Upper Spencer Gulf and three RDA regions. The Regional Mining and Infrastructure Plan (RMIP) project was funded by $1.5 million from the Australian Government Regional Infrastructure Fund and was contracted to the consultants Deloitte and SMEC.


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The RMIP objective is to identify infrastructure solutions to maximise the net benefits to South Australia by improving connectivity to and from existing mines and reducing infrastructure related risks for new mining enterprises. (Deloitte, Regional Mining and Infrastructure Planning Project – Eyre and Western

Region, Interim report for public consultation, April 2013, p.3). The RMIP built on the findings of the 2011 IDS by considering the drivers and impediments to mining project development in order to prepare realistic mining infrastructure demand scenarios underpinned by macroeconomic drivers. At the time of preparing this Regional Plan, the interim reports for each RDA region had been through the stakeholder consultation phase and the final reports were being prepared for public release. The RMIP findings and recommendations will be critical to future infrastructure investment solutions in the RDAWEP region. When the final reports are released, RDAWEP in partnership with RDA Far North and RDA Yorke and Mid North will proactively work with the government and private sector to ensure that the recommended infrastructure solutions are implemented. This Regional Plan will be updated as appropriate during 2013-16, based on the RMIP outcomes, and a description of the infrastructure outcomes will be included in the Regional Prospectus.

Other Infrastructure Initiatives In addition to supporting the RMIP outcomes, RDAWEP will continue to pursue the implementation of other infrastructure projects to meet business and community needs, including the upgrade of Thevenard Port, telecommunications improvements, upgrading the power supply to Port Neill, road network development, the construction of purpose-built off loading facilities to support the fishing industry and the strategic upgrade of regional airports to support business and community development.

5.5 Comparative Advantage and Business Competitiveness

General Characteristics The regional economy is extremely diverse with industries in agriculture, manufacturing, fishing, aquaculture, tourism and a fast growing mining and renewable energy sector. The region produces 42% of South Australia’s total agricultural output and produces and exports 80% of South Australia’s seafood product. The region has a large manufacturing sector with many new projects pending; has a large and diverse retail trade and small business sector, a fast growing tourism industry with new product being developed, and a fast growing mining industry due to a wealth of mineral resources. This diversity is important for economic sustainability because it gives the region resilience through not being reliant on a single industry or product sector for its prosperity. (See Attachment 1, pp. 71-6). The region is being positioned as a centre of excellence for innovation through the adoption of new technologies and cutting edge research. The development of value-added food products and more efficient processing and supply systems is enhancing the region’s comparative advantages and strengthening the economy. The region’s natural attributes make it ideal for the development of renewable energy projects and these initiatives are actively being pursued. The Green grid initiative in particular, provides the region with an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the Australian Government’s 2020 renewable energy resources target.


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Issues Impacting the Realisation of Opportunities While the diversity of the industrial base is a regional strength, the different sectors have challenges which are constraining their competitiveness and sustainability. Ongoing consultation with RDAWEP Target Teams and industry representatives – see Attachment 2 - has identified a range of operational, workforce development and other issues:

Agriculture

• Supply chain costs: – the rising costs of grain export; resulting from the privatisation and monopolisation of South Australia’s grain storage, handling and export infrastructure is reducing the region’s global market competitiveness.

• Supply chain infrastructure: – the inadequate state of transport infrastructure (roads, rail and port handling infrastructure) is impacting the operational efficiency of the industry.

• Skills and workforce demand management: – the migration of labour to the mining sector due to transferable skills and higher wages, in combination with the cost and time entailed to access training facilities, is impacting youth training and workforce retention.

• Climate change variability: - the potential impact of climate change on agricultural production has accelerated the need to pursue climate change adaption initiatives to maintain food production levels.

World population growth projections are expected to result in a 70% increase in food demand by 2050 and the Eyre Peninsula will have an important role to play in meeting this demand as a net producer of grains, legumes and meats. The collective concerns of the Agriculture Target Team are aimed at developing production efficiencies to maintain market competitiveness and ensure that the region can contribute to global food security.

Fishing and Aquaculture

• Marine Parks: - the establishment of State and Australian Government marine parks has potential to impact the productivity and viability of the industry.

• Skills and workforce demand management: – the loss of marine engineers to the mining sector due to higher wages and demand for mechanical and safety training skills is a threat to maintaining qualified and experienced labour.

• Quota Management: - legislative variations in total allowable catch quotas has brought production uncertainty to the industry.

• Infrastructure constraints: - there is a need for purpose-built off loading facilities to overcome operational inefficiencies at the Port Lincoln and Thevenard ports and create economically viable access to fish resources in the Great Australian Bight. District Council of Ceduna, Thevenard Marine Offloading Facility, Supplementary Business Case, April 2013).

• Oyster hatchery: - there is a need for an additional hatchery for the production of spat, to overcome the vulnerability of reliance on spat from Tasmanian suppliers.

Business Development

• Workforce Management: - the loss of skilled and experienced workers to mining and other industry sectors is making it difficult to recruit appropriate replacement staff.

• Diminished Business Development Planning and Marketing: - the combination of limited human resources and workplace legislation (particularly the cost burden of penalty rates) is causing managers and business owners to spend more time on customer service, with the consequence that business planning and marketing for development growth is not being sufficiently addressed.

• On-line Purchasing: - rapid growth in online purchasing is having a marked impact on the retail sector across Australia. However the rollout of NBN across the region is expected to provide opportunities for local businesses to enter the digital economy market.


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• Major Project Readiness: - some larger businesses have not developed the capability to

provide services to major projects (i.e. they have not adopted risk mitigation initiatives which are essential for prequalification) and will therefore not benefit from the pending growth of mining and manufacturing industries.

These issues are being addressed through training, seminars and workshops provided by the RDAWEP Business Development Program. Numerous initiatives are also being pursued to encourage Aboriginal involvement in the business sector, especially employment initiatives in mining, tourism, primary production and arts and cultural enterprises.

Tourism Tourism industry planning is solid and well advanced due to strategies adopted to support the brand Eyre Peninsula initiative and ensure localised input in planning decisions. There is growing interest and visitation from interstate and overseas tourists (especially from Asia) and new product is continuously being developed to showcase and attract visitors to the region – e.g. a new initiative launched in June 2013 providing helicopter tours from Ceduna along the coast to the Head of the Australian Bight for whale watching activities. The joint initiative by RDAWEP and the City of Whyalla to develop a major interpretive facility – the Cuttlefish Interpretive Centre – featuring world best practice interpretive technologies, is targeting the growing the Asian tourism market and a younger techno-savvy audience and aims to position Whyalla as a major gateway to the Eyre Peninsula Tourism Region. (Woodhead, Cuttlefish Interpretive Centre – Concept Design Study, December 2012).

However, a key issue concerns the 2013-14 South Australian Government budget reduction to the South Australian Tourism Commission. The SATC, like many other State Government departments and agencies has to find substantial operational cost savings. This has resulted in the withdrawal of funds to the region’s four accredited Visitor Information Centres, a reduction in the content of regional Visitor Guides (which will prevent many smaller tourism experiences from being promoted), and diminished funding for a range of tourism development and marketing programs.

Mining, Manufacturing and Renewable Energy The progression and implementation of mining, manufacturing and some renewable energy initiatives remains subject to the provision appropriate support infrastructure. Mining enterprises will not be able to progress from exploration to operation unless the bulk commodity facilities are provided to enable product export. The upgrade of road and rail transport infrastructure and provision of power and water supply is critical to these developments. The provision of increased gas supply to Whyalla is necessary to enhance existing manufacturing operations and attract new enterprises to the regional city. A major upgrade of the region’s electrical transmission network will be required if the Green Grid initiative is to be achieved. These projects require significant government and private sector funding investment, the logistics of which will be assessed when the outcomes of the Regional Mining and Infrastructure Plan are known.


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6 . Regional Priorities

6.1 Priorities to Achieve the Regional Vision The RDAWEP Board has identified a range of priorities that need to be pursued to achieve the long term vision for the region.


culture, strong civic leadership and high quality of family life. Facilitate and support

growing and diverse enterprises to increase economic activity.






the region.







• Strengthen and promote RDAWEP as the lead agency for driving sustainable

economic and community development in the region.

The regional priorities were initially determined by the RDAWEP Board in July 2012 for the 2012 Regional Plan. The priorities are statements of intent derived from intimate Board member knowledge and understanding of the region’s strengths, challenges, needs and opportunities. This collective knowledge is enhanced by the intelligence derived from ongoing engagement with regional stakeholders, particularly the RDAWEP Target Teams, the Regional Consultation Network, the RDAWEP business development program and strategic development planning undertaken by the region’s local government Councils – see Attachment 2. The regional priorities were reviewed and refined by the RDAWEP Board for the preparation of this Regional Plan. The review process included consultation with the local government Councils via a letter survey distributed in June 2013. The regional priorities were updated in accordance with the collective review outcomes.

6.2 Relationship to Regional Characteristics and Vision

Build the capacity of the region’s communities to foster a cohesive and diverse culture, strong civic leadership and high quality of family life. The liveability, lifestyle and vibrancy of township communities are some of the region’s greatest assets. Regional communities are passionate about RDAWEP as a place and desire to be actively involved in the determination of the region’s future development. There is a need to ensure that every opportunity is offered for people to participate in key decision making processes, particularly decisions that have potential to impact natural resources, recreational spaces and the liveability of regional towns.


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Facilitate and support growing and diverse enterprises to increase economic activity. The diversity of the economic base is one of the region’s great strengths. The regional economy has strong potential to become sustainable because it is not reliant on a single industry or product sector. This gives the region inbuilt resilience to overcome the challenges of external impacts, such as global economic crises, fluctuating iron ore, wool and grain prices, variation in the value of the Australian dollar, changing government policy and the impact of climate change.

Foster innovative, globally competitive businesses in the region. The pursuit of ground-breaking renewable energy initiatives, the development of unique tourism experiences and strengthening the international reputation of the region’s clean and green food product will value-add to the resilience and diversity of the regional economy.

Promote business investment in the region. Private sector investment is critical to infrastructure, housing and business development in the region. The RDAWEP Regional Prospectus will showcase the region’s assets and promote opportunities to encourage private sector investment.

Optimise international trade. The upgrade of Thevenard Port and development of bulk commodities export infrastructure with Cape class vessel capability will increase the region’s export capacity and deliver economies of scale benefits to users.

Increase our regional population. The region is disadvantaged by having a small and sparse population and therefore lacks the economies of scale which are necessary for sustainable economic and community development. The region consequently lacks the political clout to effectively lobby for government investment in major development projects. This is particularly important in the South Australian context where major development is focussed in metropolitan Adelaide at the expense of the regions.

Attract and retain a highly skilled workforce to meet existing and future needs of the region. Pending developments in the resources and industrial sector require the provision of a suitably skilled workforce. Predicted population growth and the up-skilling of the region’s unemployed and underemployed will leave a significant workforce shortfall that will need to be filled by attracting skilled labour from elsewhere. FIFO and DIDO workforce solutions are not desirable because they will not value-add to the economy or liveability of the region. Proactive workforce attraction strategies need to be implemented to encourage workers to relocate their families to the region.

Promote flexible access to education and skills training programs and facilities to strengthen the regional workforce. The geographic size of the region is a deterrent to accessing on-campus education for some people in the community – particularly owners, managers and staff in the business sector. The provision of more on-line and flexible training programs will overcome travel time and cost constraints and make education and workforce training programs more accessible.


27

Attract investment for strategic infrastructure such as transport, ports, airports, rail, water and energy to support the long-term growth of the region. The development of the region is constrained by the limitations of existing infrastructure. Many business and enterprise growth opportunities will not be realised unless the essential supportive infrastructure is in place. The provision of a sustainable potable water supply, an upgrade of the electrical transmission system, connection of the region to the standard gauge rail network, construction of bulk commodities export facilities, increased gas supply to Whyalla and strategic improvements to the road network is vital in this regard. But this requires significant financial investment by the government and private sector.

Facilitate the recognition and preservation of community amenity assets for present and future generations. The preservation and development of community infrastructure and places of community cultural and recreational significance is important for maintaining the amenity and liveability of the region. Liveability considerations, including environmental and climate change adaption initiatives, need to be taken into account when making economic, employment and industrial development decisions.

Strengthen and promote RDAWEP as the lead agency for driving sustainable economic and community development in the region. Too many stakeholders in the region, notably some people in local government, are still largely unaware of the role of RDAWEP. The Board’s many achievements – such as assistance to access government project funding through the preparation of business cases and grant applications – have been very much undersold in the past. This is the result of: (1) a lack of marketing – RDAWEP staff have been too preoccupied with the planning and delivery of projects to market RDAWEP’s achievements, and (2) lack of acknowledgement – RDAWEP has not been proactive in encouraging funders and grant recipients to give due acknowledgement of the support process. RDAWEP has consequently recognised the need to proactively market its role and achievements and will do so via a targeted media strategy and focussed presentations to local government.

6.3 Alignment with Local Government Priorities There is some consistency between RDAWEP and local government visions regarding the need to pursue prosperity while maintaining community amenity and protect the environment. The aim of developing regional communities as ‘great places to live, work and visit’ is generally acknowledged across the region. There is alignment between some RDAWEP regional priorities and Council strategic planning goals regarding:

• Development and maintenance of physical infrastructure for community and business needs,

• Pursuing and promoting sustainable economic and business development, • Sustainable environmental management for the benefit of future generations, • Water management and security, and • Improved community development services, particularly lifestyle and retirement facilities

for the ageing population and people with disabilities. However, divergence is clearly apparent when comparing a broad regional development plan with localised community plans. Local government is less concerned about some of the bigger picture issues such as global competitiveness, fostering export, and the development of educational facilities and skills training programs, because these matters are not usually Council core business.


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7 . RDAWEP Activities, Projects and Initiatives

7.1 RDAWEP Planning Documents The RDAWEP Board has identified a range of activities, projects and initiatives that need to be implemented to achieve the regional priorities. The details are summarised in this section of the plan, however an understanding of the existing RDAWEP planning framework is necessary to decipher the content. RDAWEP has a stratified planning regime comprising the following main planning documents:

PLANNING DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION RDAWEP Regional Plan The Regional Plan is the lead document that profiles the region,

identifies a vision and regional priorities, and describes the need and

rationale for priority project developments.

RDAWEP Strategic Plan The Strategic Plan is structured in 6 Focus Areas:

1. Industry and Business Capability

2. Economic Growth and Sustainability

3. Infrastructure Development

4. Workforce and Skill Development

5. Community Sustainability

6. Governance (Regional Leadership)

Each Focus Area has Key Result Areas, Key Projects and tasks and

initiatives that need to be implemented. These components are linked

through a sequential numbering system for project tracking purposes.

RDAWEP Business Plan The Business Plan aligns with the Strategic Plan structure and includes

a detailed Action Plan for tasks and initiatives, identifying the RDAWEP

staff members responsible for implementation.

Table 5: RDAWEP Planning Documents.

The Strategic Plan and Business Plan have the advantage of being easily amended, thereby making it possible to delete completed projects and add new initiatives at any time. This cannot be done with the Regional Plan which is reviewed and updated annually. The Strategic Plan and Business Plan are therefore the point of entry for new projects and serve as a quick response mechanism. This enables RDAWEP to be more responsive to changing regional needs and progress the implementation of new projects which are not identified in the Regional Plan. The RDA regional plan template requires the 2013-14 Regional Plan to be structured by the five long-term determinants of regional growth identified by COAG RASC. This structure is incompatible with the six Focus Areas of existing RDAWEP plans. Content from the RDAWEP plans has therefore been adapted to meet the RDA structural requirements. However, for efficacy and project tracking purposes the numbering system in existing RDAWEP plans has been retained. The consequence is that the numbering of the tasks and initiatives in the following tables is no longer in a logical or sequential order. During 2012-13, the RDAWEP Board identified 85 priority project activities from 248 tasks and initiatives in the Strategic Plan. The Priority 1 projects are those considered as being critical for regional growth and sustainability and the Priority 2 projects are those considered as being very important. The size constraints of the RDA template only permit the Priority 1 projects to be listed in this Regional Plan. The Priority 2 and other initiatives are identified in the RDAWEP Business Plan and Strategic Plan.


29

Regional Plan and Regional Prospectus, 2013-16 The RDA regional plan template has made it necessary for RDAWEP to modify its planning regime. Two integrated planning documents will now be produced: (1) a Regional Plan (structured by the 5 key determinants of regional growth identified by COAG RASC), and (2) a Regional Prospectus (structured by the 6 Focus Areas in existing RDAWEP plans). This revised planning structure is necessary because the content constraints of the RDA plan limits elucidation in the regional profile and only permit project initiatives to be listed, rather than described. RDAWEP holds the view that community and local government stakeholders - and potential investors in particular - need more comprehensive context and project descriptions to enhance their understanding of the issues, needs, opportunities and potential of the region. The Regional Prospectus provides this detail and therefore functions as a complementary resource document to the Regional Plan.

7.2 Human Capital


the region.



Key Result Key Projects No. Tasks/Initiatives

2.1 Increased

competitiveness

through

innovative

business and

industry

development

2.1.2 Support the

expansion and

development of key

research institutions.

2.1.2.2 Actively participate in the Education Works program

in Whyalla.

2.1.2.5 Actively support the appropriate refurbishment and

development of key educational facilities in Whyalla.

2.1.2.7 Support the expansion and development of the

Australian Maritime and Fisheries Academy as the

leader in the provision of maritime, fishing and

seafood industry-based education and development

programs.

2.2 Increased

levels of

investment into

the region.

2.2.2 Position Whyalla as

the mining services and

education hub for

Australia.

2.2.2.1 Position Whyalla as the vocational training and

tertiary education hub for the mining and resource

processing sector in regional SA.

4.1 Increased

workforce

participation and

employment

outcomes.

4.1.1 Support initiatives

that maximise

employment outcomes in

the region’s workforce.

4.1.1.1 Assist businesses and industry to identify

employment shortages.

4.1.1.4 Facilitate the marketing of available employment

opportunities.

4.1.2 Support the

implementation of a

regional workforce

implementation plan to

meet workforce demands.

4.1.2.1 Facilitate the engagement of industry sectors in the

development of workforce plans.

4.1.3 Support new and

existing industry with

workforce development,

attraction and retention

initiatives.

4.1.3.1 Develop workforce planning packages for business

and industry across the region.

4.1.4 Seek to attract

funding to establish a

workforce development

officer.

4.1.4.1 Lobby Government to fund a dedicated Workforce

Development Officer.

Table 6: RDAWEP Human Capital Priority 1 Projects.


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7.2 Human Capital (Cont’d)


4.2. A highly

skilled and

inclusive

workforce that

meets business

and industry

demands.

4.2.3 Assist in the

identification of workforce

skill and training gaps.

4.2.3.2 Secure additional funding to support specific skill

development needs.

4.2.4 Encourage regional

education service

providers to meet the

needs of local industry

and the community

4.2.4.1 Maximise the effectiveness of UniSA at Whyalla via

access through campus extension programs

throughout the region.

4.2.4.2 Facilitate the establishment of a Mine Operator

Training Centre.

4.2.5 Assist disadvantaged

people overcome barriers

to education, training and

employment.

4.2.5.3 Facilitate the provision of appropriate ICAN

infrastructure to support the education and training

needs of disengaged young people.

Table 6: RDAWEP Human Capital Priority 1 Projects (Cont’d).

7.3 Sustainable Communities and Population Growth


culture, strong civic leadership and high quality of family life.





1.3 A growing,

successful and

sustainable

agriculture

sector.

1.3.1 Support sustainable

and viable on land

agribusiness

opportunities.

1.3.1.2 Maintain and support an effective Agriculture Target

Team.

1.3.2 Initiate opportunities

to value add broad acre

grain and livestock

product.

1.3.2.3 Work with farmers to facilitate market research and

investigate opportunities for the development of

value added grain products.

1.4 Sustainable,

productive and

vibrant fishing

and aquaculture

industries.

1.4.1 Actively represent

industries and the

community in the

development of

Government marine policy

and planning.

1.4.1.1 Communicate to Government the issues pertaining

to the development of marine parks around the Eyre

Peninsula.

3.1 Provision of

high standard

hard utilities

infrastructure

that meets the

needs of

communities and

industry.

3.1.2 Improve the quality

and supply of water.

3.1.2.3 Work with the Eyre Peninsula Water Security

Reference Group to ensure the rapid expedition of

identified key priorities in the SA Water Long Term

Plan for Eyre Peninsula.

3.3 Provision of

high standard

infrastructure to

meet community

and visitor

needs.

3.3.1 Support the

development of strategic

social and community

infrastructure.

3.3.1.1 Support the development of strategic social

infrastructure including education, health, arts and

cultural, sport and recreation facilities.

3.3.1.3 Support the staged development of the Cummins

Recreation Centre.

3.3.1.5 Support the City of Port Lincoln to secure funding for

the upgrade of the Port Lincoln Civic Hall complex.

Table 7: RDAWEP Sustainable Communities Priority 1 Projects.


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7.3 Sustainable Communities and Population Growth (Cont’d)


3.4 An

appropriate mix

of public and

private housing

to meet the

needs of

different sectors

of the

community.

3.4.1 Lobby for and

support initiatives to

provide additional housing

at key locations in the

region.

3.4.1.5 Support Whyalla Aged Care to secure funding for

the staged development of the Whyalla Aged Care

Retirement Village.

5.1 A sustainable

and growing

regional

population.

5.1.1 Support and facilitate

initiatives that retain youth

in the region.

5.1.1.2 Support key youth groups, linking industry and new

youth in the region with youth organisations.

5.1.1.3 Develop a youth scholarship program supported by

industry to retain youth in the region (i.e. mining,

agriculture, fishing and manufacturing).

5.1.1.4 Lobby for dedicated University placements for

regional youth.

5.1.2 Promote the region

as an attractive lifestyle

location to potential new

residents.

5.1.2.1 Develop a marketing plan that is targeted at

attracting new residents to the region.

5.1.2.3 Support the City of Whyalla to undertake initiatives

to beautify the city, particularly at industrial estates

and city gateways.

5.2 Communities

with the capacity

to generate

better social,

economic and

environmental

outcomes.

5.2.3 Facilitate the

opportunity for business

leaders to invest in

community sustainability.

5.2.3.1 Support the EP Community Foundation to raise

community and industry awareness about the

Foundation and attract donations.

5.2.3.2 Facilitate the establishment of community banking

facilities across the region.

5.2.4 Actively develop our

future business and

community leaders.

5.2.4.2 Investigate the merit of conducting a governance

workshop for Board Members and Directors of not-

for-profit organisations in the region.

Table 7: RDAWEP Sustainable Communities Priority 1 Projects (Cont’d).

7.4 Access to International, National and Regional Markets





3.1 Provision of

high standard

hard utilities

infrastructure

that meets the

needs of

communities and

industry.

3.1.1 Proactively improve

and implement strategic

hard infrastructure

3.1.1.1 Work with RDA Far North, RDA Yorke and Mid

North, the Upper Spencer Gulf Common Purpose

Group, the South Australian Government, Regional

Development Australia and Local Government to

facilitate the Upper Spencer Gulf Summit to

maximise benefits from the mining and renewable

energy booms for the Upper Spencer Gulf region.

Table 8: RDAWEP Market Access Priority 1 Projects.


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7.4 Access to International, National and Regional Markets (C’d)


3.1 Provision of

high standard

hard utilities

infrastructure

that meets the

needs of

communities and

industry.

3.1.1 Proactively improve

and implement strategic

hard infrastructure

3.1.1.2 Facilitate and support the preparation of integrated

Infrastructure Master Plans for RDA Whyalla and

Eyre Peninsula, RDA Far North and RDA Yorke and

Mid North ensuring that they embrace strategies for

comprehensive infrastructure development, business

development, workforce development, community

amenity and renewable energy generation.

3.1 Provision of

high standard

hard utilities

infrastructure

that meets the

needs of

communities and

industry.

3.1.4 Improve the supply

and distribution of energy.

3.1.4.1 Facilitate improvement in high voltage transmission

infrastructure.

3.1.4.2 Support the expansion of gas supply to the City of

Whyalla.

3.1.4.5 Pursue the upgrade of the mains power supply to

Port Neill inclusive of a three-phase supply.

3.1.4 Improve the supply

and distribution of energy. 3.1.4.7 Promote the benefits of Government investment into

transmission infrastructure for large scale renewable

energy projects to maximise the nation’s best natural

resources.

3.1.4.11 Collect information and research about nuclear

power for possible cost benefit consideration in the

longer term.

3.1.5 Improve the quality

and capacity of

communications

infrastructure.

3.1.5.1 Encourage further investment by Government and

telecommunications providers into the development

of a more cost effective, efficient and expanded

network.

3.1.5.2 Pursue funding opportunities that will enable the

installation of a high speed, quality broadband

network across the region.

3.1.5.3 Review the fibre connectivity status of towns across

the region and lobby for NBN Co to connect

additional towns to optical fibre where practicable.

3.2 Effective

transport and

freight

infrastructure.

3.2.1 Maximise the use of

strategic port facilities to

grow the region.

3.2.1.1 Work with Port of Thevenard infrastructure owners

and port stakeholders to finalise an investment

framework to enable the deepening of Yalata

Channel and upgrade of the key infrastructure.

3.2.2 Support the

development of strategic

regional airports.

3.2.2.2 Work with the City of Whyalla to develop a master

plan for the redevelopment and upgrade of Whyalla

Airport.

3.2.2.4 Work with the City of Whyalla to identify and develop

opportunities for the utilisation of the airport as a

strategic base for defence operations.

3.2.3 Support the upgrade

and development of the

region’s railway

infrastructure.

3.2.3.1 Support the establishment of a new, strategically

located rail haulage route that provides a key link

from central Eyre Peninsula mining operations to

Port Spencer.

3.2.4 Maximise the

standard of road

infrastructure to facilitate

efficient transport routes

across the region.

3.2.4.2 Identify strategic locations for passing lanes on

national and state highways.

Table 8: RDAWEP Market Access Priority 1 Projects (Cont’d).


33

7.4 Access to International, National and Regional Markets (C’d)


1.4 Sustainable,

productive and

vibrant fishing

and aquaculture

industries.

1.4.2 Assist the

establishment of

strategically located

seafood unloading

facilities.

1.4.2.1 Work with the District Council of Ceduna and the

fishing industry to develop a commercial fishing

industry unloading facility and safe harbour.

Table 8: RDAWEP Market Access Priority 1 Projects (Cont’d).

7.5 Comparative Advantage and Business Competitiveness

• Facilitate and support growing and diverse enterprises to increase economic

activity.




1.1. A

sustainable,

productive and

vibrant

manufacturing

sector.

1.1.2 Support the

establishment of

strategically located

industrial estates in the

region.

1.1.2.2 Facilitate development opportunities for the Cultana

Industrial Estate and the Whyalla Industrial Estate.

1.2 Increased

value derived to

the economy

through minerals

exploration and

production.

1.2.1 Support the

development of the

region’s mineral resources

1.2.1.1 Support the establishment of sustainable and

commercially viable exploration and mining projects

in the Eucla Basin, Gawler Craton and the Great

Australian Bight.

1.2.2 Support the

establishment of strategic

infrastructure to enhance

mining development and

processing operations.

1.2.2.8 Develop a strategic regional mining and

infrastructure plan identifying the specific strategic

infrastructure and investment needs for the region.

1.5.

Establishment of

new markets and

innovation value

added products

developed by the

region’s food

production

sector.

1.5.2 Sustain and develop

new market initiatives in

intrastate, interstate and

international markets.

1.5.2.1 Facilitate missions for food industry businesses to

other states, regions and countries.

1.5.2.2 Continue to facilitate and implement the ‘Australia’s

Seafood Mission’ initiative with food businesses,

wholesalers, leading chefs, restaurateurs and food

industry media.

1.5.2.3 Work with industry to facilitate trade displays at

strategic food marketing events.

1.5.2.4 Establish two new value chains for seafood within

Australia.

1.5.3 Develop a distinctive

regional food brand.

1.5.3.1 Assist the region’s food industry to raise the profile

of Eyre Peninsula’s food brand: ‘Eyre Peninsula –

Australia’s Seafood Frontier’ to industry peers,

buyers and consumers.

2.3. Growth in

trade and

exports from the

region’s

industries.

2.3.1 Support export

awareness initiatives and

development programs

within the region.

2.3.1.1 Support export awareness initiatives and grant

access programs.

2.3.1.2 Facilitate export marketing opportunities and

procedure workshops.

Table 9: RDAWEP Advantage and Competitiveness Priority 1 Projects.


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7.5 Comparative Advantage and Business Competitiveness (C’d)


1.6. A

competitive and

growing tourism

sector.

1.6.1 Develop a distinctive

regional tourism brand.

1.6.1.1 Assist the tourism industry to raise the profile of the

region’s tourism brand to industry peers, buyers and

consumers.

1.6.2 Develop and sustain

new marketing initiatives

for the tourism industry.

1.6.2.2 Maintain and support an effective Tourism Target

Team.

1.6.3 Implement the

infrastructure strategies

identified in the Building

Eyre Peninsula as a

Tourism Destination plan.

1.6.3.1 Assist Councils and developers to secure approvals

and funding to establish or upgrade high priority

tourism signature projects at key locations.

1.6.3.5 Support the development of strategic interpretive

centres.

1.6.3.6 Support and implement the upgrade of visitor

information centres.

1.7 A globally

competitive

regional

business sector.

1.7.1 Provide free or low

cost professional

business development

support and advice.

1.7.1.1 Initiate business assistance and innovation

development programs.

1.7.1.2 Maintain and support an effective EP Business

Target Team.

1.7.1.3 Maintain and support an effective Whyalla Target

Team.

1.7.1.4 Provide professional business advisory services.

1.7.2 Facilitate investment

growth in the retail and

services sector within the

region.

1.7.2.1 Actively support new and expanding retail

developments.

1.8. Increased

Indigenous

participation in

sustainable and

commercially

viable economic

development

initiatives

1.8.3 Assist Indigenous

organisations to develop

existing farming property

assets into commercially

profitable mixed farming

enterprises.

1.8.3.4 Provide mentoring and logistical support for existing

herb and vegetable ventures and assistance with

new ventures.

1.8.4 Support Indigenous

organisations to develop

key regional arts and

culture centre businesses.

1.8.4.1 Work with the Ceduna and Kuju Arts Centres to

implement the recommendations of the Arts Centres

business and marketing plans.

1.8.5 Identify and support

commercially viable

opportunities for

Indigenous investment

and participation in the

tourism sector.

1.8.5.2 Continue to support the development and expansion

of the Head of the Bight and Nullarbor region.

1.8.6 Work with

Indigenous leaders and

communities to identify

joint venture and business

opportunities in the

mining sector.

1.8.6.1 Liaise with mining companies to identify specific

business opportunities for Indigenous participation.

1.8.6.2 Support the Indigenous community with the

development of tender bids for mining projects.

Table 9: RDAWEP Advantage and Competitiveness Priority 1 Projects (Cont’d).


35

7.5 Comparative Advantage and Business Competitiveness (C’d)


2.2 Increased

levels of

investment into

the region.

2.2.1 Assist venture

capital opportunities for

business and industry.

2.2.1.1 Develop a regional prospectus to attract external

investors.

2.2.1.2 Work with business and industry to develop

investment offers that are commercially attractive to

venture capital.

2.2.1.3 Facilitate connections between business, industry

and venture capitalists and provide strategic

direction.

2.2.1.4 Host a regional investment conference.

2.2.1.5 Develop a prestigious investment award recognising

outstanding business investment in the region.

2.2.3 Actively promote the

region as a preferred

location for business and

industry investment.

2.2.3.1 Develop and update the regional industry investment

profiles and regional prospectus.

2.2.3.2 Actively target companies providing services and

goods to the mining industry to establish operations

and/or administration in Whyalla.

2.2.3.5 Maximise investment attraction through leverage of

the Enterprise Zone Fund.

2.2.4 Encourage and

support strategic coastal

development initiatives.

2.2.4.1 Work with developers to establish strategic coastal

property developments and tourism precincts.

2.2.4.2 Assist developers with the establishment of marina

facilities in the region.

2.2.4.3 Play a facilitation role between developers,

environmental groups, coastal protection and zoning

departments.

Table 9: RDAWEP Advantage and Competitiveness Priority 1 Projects (Cont’d).

7.6 Governance and Regional Leadership Initiatives Strengthen and promote RDAWEP as the lead agency for driving sustainable economic and

community development in the region.

The governance and regional leadership priority is essentially about RDAWEP operations and the perception of the organisation among stakeholders and the wider regional community. Strengthening the status and role of RDAWEP is important for achieving the regional vision in the longer term, but not as important as the tasks and initiatives that are direct actions for pursuing development projects. The RDAWEP Board therefore did not identify any governance and leadership initiatives as Priority 1 actions, but this may be reviewed during 2013-14. Governance and leadership initiatives are identified in the RDAWEP Strategic Plan and Business Plan.


36

8 . Reference Sources

Reports Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2011 Census of Population and Housing, Australia, Eyre Peninsula and South West, and South Australia, Basic Community Profiles. ABS, Census 2011 Census of Population and Housing, Australia, Eyre Peninsula and South West, and South Australia, Expanded Community Profiles. ABS, Census 2011 Census of Population and Housing, Eyre Peninsula and South West Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profile. ABS, National Regional Profile, Australia, Ceduna, Eyre Peninsula and South West, Port Lincoln, South Australia, and Whyalla, 2007-2011. Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Crop Report, June 2012. Australian Government, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Jobs, 2013. Australian Government, Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport, Regional Australia Standing Council Framework for Regional Economic Development, 2013). Australian Government Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport, Stronger Regions, Stronger Nation, Statement by the Minister, 8th May 2012). Australian Government, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Survey of Employer’s Recruitment Experiences, Eyre Peninsula Labour Market, February 2011). City of Whyalla, Visitor Guide, 2011. Deloitte, Regional Mining and Infrastructure Planning Project – Eyre and Western Region, Interim report for public consultation, April 2013. District Council of Ceduna, Draft Ceduna Airport Master Plan, November 2012. District Council of Ceduna, Thevenard Marine Offloading Facility, Supplementary Business Case, April 2013). District Council of Elliston, Elliston Coastal Trail Business Case, February 2013. EconSearch Pty Ltd, The Economic Impact of Aquaculture on the South Australian and Regional Economies, 2010/11, A report for PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, May 2012.

Econsearch Pty Ltd, Economic Indicators for the South Australian Sardine Fishery 2010-11, June 2012. ElectraNet, Lower Eyre Peninsula Reinforcement, RIT-T: Project Specification Consultation Report, February 2012. Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board, State of our Resources, Recognising the State of Natural Resources of the Eyre Peninsula, 2009. Government of South Australia, Country SA Health Service Implementation Planning, 10 Year Health Services Plans Implementation Plan Years 1-3, Eyre, Far North and Flinders Ranges, 2011. Government of South Australia, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Eyre Peninsula Demand and Supply Statement Annual Review 2012, February 2013 Government of South Australia, Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology, Eyre and Western, Strategic Plan to guide resource allocation for participation and equity programs 2011-2013, April 2012. Government of South Australia, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, Eyre and Western Region Plan, April 2012. Government of South Australia, Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA, Draft Regional Statement, Growing Sustainable Regions, 2012. Government of South Australia, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, Port Lincoln-Adelaide Air Passenger Survey Report, November-December 2011, January 2012. Government of South Australia, Office for Recreation and Sport, Participation in Exercise, Recreation and Sports in

Regional SA, Fact Sheet No 10, July 2006.


37

Reference Sources (Cont’d) Government of South Australia, Office for Recreation and Sport, Participation in Exercise, Recreation and Sports in South

Australia, Summary Sheet, 2012.

Government of South Australia, Office for Recreation and Sport, Trends in Recreation and Sport, 2011. Hudson Howells, Discussion Paper, Whyalla Airport Governance Model and Development Opportunities, March 2012. Industries Development Committee Workforce, Training and Skills Working Group, Workforce Training and Skills Issues in Agriculture, Final Report to the Primary Industries, October 2009. KPMG, Social Infrastructure Planning to Support Resources Growth, Infrastructure short report, March 2012). Macquarie, Worley Parsons and Baker & McKenzie, Green Grid, Unlocking Renewable Energy Resources in South Australia, 2012. Mark Siebentritt and Associates, Eyre Peninsula Climate Change Adaption Plan Project Stage 1, January 2013. Master Plan, Port Neill Sustainable Future Structure Plan, Consultation Report, June 2013. Master Plan, Tumby Bay Sustainable Future Structure Plan – Stage 1 Discussion Paper, May 2012. Parsons Brinkerhoff, Eyre Peninsula Ports Master Plan, January 2009. Parsons Brinckerhoff, 2011 Resources and Energy Infrastructure Demand Study, November 2011. Potential Energy and GPS Engineering, Increased Gas Supply to the Upper Spencer Gulf, Potential Energy and GPA Engineering, April 2011. Potential Energy and GPS Engineering, The Case for Increasing Natural Gas to the Upper Spencer Gulf, 2004. Regional Development Australia, Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula (RDAWEP), Brand Eyre Peninsula 2012-2013 Food Prospectus, 2012. RDAWEP, Brand Eyre Peninsula 2012-2013 Tourism Prospectus, 2012. RDAWEP, Building Eyre Peninsula as a Tourism Destination, January 2012. RDAWEP, SATC and Eyre Peninsula Tourism Target Team, Eyre Peninsula Destination Action Plan 2012-2015, July 2012. RDAWEP, Lucky Bay Harbour Development, Business Case for a Major Upgrade of Lucky Bay Harbour, Final Report February 2012. Resources and Engineering Skills Alliance, Workforce Study for the Resources Sector in the Eyre Peninsula, October 2011. SATC, Eyre Peninsula Regional Tourism Profile 2010-2012, September 2012. SATC, Regional Tourism Profile for Eyre Peninsula 2011-2012. The Airport Group, Whyalla City Council Preliminary Airport Review, February 2013. Tourism Research, Overnight Travel - South Australian Regions, Year Ending December 2012,

Woodhead, Cuttlefish Interpretive Centre – Concept Design Study, December 2012.

Media Articles ABC News, NBN disparity threatens to widen the gap, 12 July 2011.

Barry Fitzgerald, China can’t be taken for granted, The Weekend Australian, July 6-7, 2013. Cameron England, Retaining staff vital for resources sector, The Advertiser, SA Business Journal, October, 2011. Iron Road Ltd. ASX Release and Media Announcement, May 2013. Jo Studdert, Regions strike the mother lode, Mining means the nation’s growth will be outside the capitals, Weekend Property, The Weekend Australian, December 3-4, 2011.


38

Reference Sources (Cont’d)

Lisa Allen, Dollar brings home the buyers, The Weekend Australian, July 6-7, 2013. Muradel development brochure 2013, Fast Tracking Nature Sustainably. Paul Cleary, FIFO Jobs Leave Hole in the Regions, The Weekend Australian’ July 23-24, 2011, Inquirer. Port Lincoln Times, Delays for Lincoln hospital upgrade, Tuesday, May 22, 2012. Port Lincoln Times, Fast Internet Takes Time, April 2, 2012. Port Lincoln Times, Flavour wheel a hit for sea-foodies, Tuesday July 9, 2013. Senex Energy Limited, ASX announcement, March 9, 2012. Terry McCrann, China the Known Unknown, The Weekend Australian, 26-27 May, 2012. The Advertiser, Search Here, There and Everywhere for Staff, November 3, 2011. The Weekend Australian, Best annual result for shares since the GFC, June 29 -30, 2013. The Weekend Australian, Get Ready for the End of the Boom, 19-20 May 2012. The Weekend Australian, Prospects take a dive with shelving of Olympic Dam expansion, August 25-26, 2012, Inquirer. The Weekend Australian, Regions Strike the Mother Lode, 6, 3-4 December, 2011, Weekend Property. The Weekend Australian, Skills remain a hot commodity, October 27-28, 2012. Whyalla News, Arrium Predicts Iron Ore Sales Increase, Tuesday October 9, 2012. Whyalla News, Cape vessel milestone as first ship heads through Arrium’s new port, Tuesday, February 12, 2013. Whyalla News, ‘Feeney: No on Coastal Road’, March 2013. Whyalla News, Solar Oasis at risk of scrapping, Thursday, June 6, 2013. Whyalla News, TAFE to build solar training facility, Thursday, June 7, 2012. Whyalla News, Tourism Finally Recognised, Thursday, June 27, 2013. Whyalla News, Upgrade Work Begins, Tuesday, May 28, 2013.

Websites Archean Group, www.archeangroup.com Centrex Metals Ltd, www.centrexmetals.com.au/projects/wilgerup. City of Port Lincoln, www.portlincoln.sa.gov.au/history. Deepak, www.dfpcl.com. Flinders Ports, www.flindersports.com.au Annual Export Reports, Flinders Ports Shipping Statistics. IronClad Mining, www.ironcladmining.com/projects/wilcherryhill. Iron Ore Monthly Commodity Prices, www.indexmundi.com. Iron Road, www.ironroad.com.au. Muradel, www.muradel.com.au. National Broadband Network Company, www.nbnco.com.au/roll-out schedule map.

Pacific Hydro, www.pacifichydro.com.au.

Wave Rider Energy, www.waveriderenergy.com.au.


39

Attachment 1: Regional Profile

Overview

Location and Environment The Regional Development Australia, Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula (RDAWEP) region comprises 232,781.6 square kilometres of land in the far west of South Australia (i.e. about 23.6% of the State)¹. The region has a coastal and rural environment with approximately one third of South Australia’s coastline stretching over 2,000 kilometres from the upper Spencer Gulf to the Western Australian border. The north west of the region incorporates part of the Great Victoria Desert and the Maralinga Tjarutja Aboriginal Lands, and abuts the Western Australian border about 300 kilometres north of the Trans Australian Railway Line.

Figure 1: Context Map, Regional Development Australia, Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula.

¹ Two different figures are recorded for the geographic size of the region. The SA Centre for Economic Studies records

170,448 km² or 17.3% of the State (August 2012) but ABS 2011 Census data identifies the land area as 232,781.6 km².

Analysis of the land area of individual Councils has confirmed the ABS data to be correct – see Table 10.


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The region has a characteristic Mediterranean climate with warm to dry summers and cool, wet winters. Mean annual rainfall varies from 250mm in the north and northwest to more than 500mm in the south. A large proportion of the land has been cleared for agricultural production; however significant areas of native vegetation remain. Approximately 7.5 million hectares of land is included in national parks, conservation parks and reserves. Vegetation clearance for agricultural purposes ranges from 14% in the far west to 72% in the south. About 15% of the region’s grazing area is covered with scattered vegetation. (Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board, State of our Resources,

Recognising the State of Natural Resources of the Eyre Peninsula, 2009).

Local Government and Regional Population The region has eleven Local Government Authorities (LGA’s) as well as remote unincorporated areas of the state serviced by the Outback Communities Authority. For Census data collection purposes the Maralinga Tjarutja Aboriginal Lands (established under the Maralinga Tjarutja Land

Rights Act, 1984) are regarded as an LGA in its own right and the Yalata Aboriginal Lands are included in the Unincorporated West Coast Statistical Local Area. The regional population of 56,396 comprises 3.5% of the South Australian population. 98.7% of people reside in the eleven LGA’s which collectively occupy only 18.8% of the regional land mass (43,778km²). Most of the population (64.1% or 36,174 people) live in the regional cities of Whyalla and Port Lincoln. The remaining 1.3% of the population (745 people) is very thinly spread across 81.2% of the region (i.e. 189,000km²).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

LAND AREA POPULATION

Km² % of Region No. % of Region

Whyalla 1,032.5 0.44 22,088 39.16

Port Lincoln 30.4 0.01 14,086 24.98

Ceduna 5,427.1 2.33 3,480 6.17

Cleve 4,506.7 1.94 1,733 3.07

Elliston 6,500.0 2.79 1,046 1.85

Franklin Harbour 3,283.0 1.41 1,273 2.26

Kimba 3,986.2 1.71 1,088 1.93

Lower Eyre Peninsula 4,771.0 2.05 4,916 8.72

Streaky Bay 6,232.0 2.68 2,102 3.73

Tumby Bay 2,615.9 1.12 2,586 4.58

Wudinna 5,393.8 2.32 1,253 2.22

Other¹ 86,139.4 37.00 672 1.19

Maralinga Tjarutja 102,863.6 44.19 73 0.13

REGION 232,781.6 100.00 56,396 100.00

Table 10: RDAWP Local Government Land Areas and Population.

¹ Includes Unincorporated West Coast, Yalata Community (4,563km²) and Nullarbor Regional Reserve Land. Population

data – ABS, 2011 Census of Population and Housing. Land area data – www.wikipedia.org Local Government Areas of

South Australia.


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Cultural Heritage The region has 3,225 Aboriginal people comprising 5.7% of the regional population, which is notably above the proportions in South Australia (1.9%) and Australia (2.6%). 80% of the region’s Aboriginal people (2,572) live in the local government areas of Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna. The greatest concentration is in Ceduna, where Aboriginal people comprise 24.9% of the Council population. Key Aboriginal communities include Koonibba, Yalata and Oak Valley which have fluctuating populations averaging between 50 and 200 people.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

2001 2006 2011

No

% of

Population

No

% of

Population

No

% of

Population

Whyalla 630 2.9 767 3.6 921 4.2

Port Lincoln 621 4.7 700 5.1 785 5.6

Ceduna 824 22.4 859 24.0 866 24.9

Cleve 7 0.4 11 0.6 10 0.6

Elliston 12 1.0 19 1.7 18 1.7

Franklin Harbour 4 0.3 12 0.9 12 0.9

Kimba 0 0.0 6 0.5 11 1.0

Lower Eyre Peninsula 65 1.6 101 2.3 143 2.9

Streaky Bay 17 0.9 31 1.5 33 1.6

Tumby Bay 26 1.1 12 0.5 20 0.8

Wudinna 11 0.8 13 1.0 19 1.5

Unincorporated West Coast 253 33.4 162 35.6 319 50.2

Maralinga Tjarutja 124 75.2 89 78.0 61 83.6

REGION 2,594 - 2,782 4.8 3,225 5.7

Table 11: Aboriginal Population, Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula Region (ABS Census 2001, 2006 and 2011).

The first recorded European contact with the region occurred near Ceduna in 1627. Further European contact did not occur until 1802 and 1803 when Matthew Flinders and the Frenchman Louis-Claude de Freycinet mapped the Eyre Peninsula coastline. Port Lincoln became the first European settlement in the region with settlers arriving in March 1839. (City of Port Lincoln website, http://www.portlincoln.sa.gov.au/history). In the 1840’s Edward John Eyre mapped the Eyre Peninsula, which led to further settlement. By the 1870’s much of the region was being grazed and mining commenced at Iron Knob in the 1890’s. In 1901 Hummock Hill became the export point for iron ore and on 16

th April 1914 the township was proclaimed as the town of

Whyalla. (City of Whyalla, Visitor Guide, 2011).

Human Capital

Age Profile The regional population is ageing. In 2011, the region’s median age was 39, an increase from 38 in 2006. People aged 65 years and over comprised 15.5% of the regional population, which is above the 14.0% rate for Australia, but below the rate of 16.2% for South Australia. The region’s 65 and over aged population grew by 1.2% from 2006, exceeding the growth rate of 0.8% for South Australia and 0.7% for Australia. Almost half of the regional population (49.6%) was 40 years of age and over in 2011 with 21.5% over 60 years of age.


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PEOPLE 65 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER

Region % South Australia

% Australia %

2006 ABS Census 7,758 14.3 233,127 15.4 2,644,374 13.3

2006 Median Age 38 39 37

2011 ABS Census 8,727 15.5 257,551 16.2 3,012,289 14.0

2011 Median Age 39 39 37

Table 12: People 65 Years of Age and Over. (ABS Census 2006 & 2011). The District Council of Tumby Bay has the oldest population with 60.1% over the age of 40 and 32.1% over 60 years of age. Similar results for the over 40 age sector were recorded for Kimba (55.9%), Franklin Harbour (55.7%), Cleve (55.3%) and Elliston (54.5%).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

AREA

0 TO 14 YEARS 15 TO 24 YEARS

25 TO 39 YEARS

40 TO 59 YEARS

60 YEARS AND OVER

No % No % No % No % No %

Whyalla 4,434 20.1 2,963 13.4 4,130 18.7 6,063 27.4 4,498 20.4

Port Lincoln 2,869 20.4 1,854 13.2 2,606 18.5 3,743 26.6 3,014 21.4

Ceduna 761 21.9 433 12.4 654 188 972 27.9 660 19.0

Cleve 359 20.7 157 9.1 259 14.9 502 29.0 456 26.3

Elliston 204 19.5 106 10.1 167 16.0 355 33.9 216 20.6

Franklin Harbour 244 19.2 136 10.7 184 14.4 374 29.4 335 26.3

Kimba 209 19.2 93 8.5 180 16.5 308 28.3 300 27.6

Lower Eyre Peninsula 1,087 22.1 496 10.1 799 16.2 1549 31.5 985 20.0

Streaky Bay 436 20.7 208 9.9 328 15.6 655 31.2 476 22.6

Tumby Bay 460 17.8 207 8.0 344 13.3 747 28.9 829 32.1

Wudinna 281 22.4 116 9.3 244 19.5 330 26.3 281 22.4

REGION 11,509 20.4 6,842 12.1 10,069 17.8 15,866 28.1 12,109 21.5

Table 13: Age Distribution of the Regional Population (ABS Census 2011). Conversely, young people 15-24 years of age comprise the smallest sector of the regional population (12.1%) and this is consistent in all local government areas across the region. Tumby Bay (8.0%), Kimba (8.5%), Cleve (9.1%), Wudinna (9.3%) and Streaky Bay (9.9%) have the smallest proportion of 15-24 year olds, whereas Whyalla (13.4%), Port Lincoln (13.2%) and Ceduna (12.4%) are the only areas above the regional average. The migration of young people from the region for employment and study in metropolitan Adelaide is believed to the main reason for the small population of this age sector.

Age Profile of the Workforce The regional workforce has an older profile with 43.8% aged 45 years or older, compared with 42.2% for South Australia and 39.9% for Australia. By industry, the region’s transport, postal and warehousing sector has the oldest profile with 57.6% aged 45 years or older, followed by primary production (agriculture, fishing and forestry) at 52.7%, and health care and social assistance at 50.9%. The primary production industry has the oldest workforce profile in Australia with 59.6% aged 45 years and older, but the regional profile for this sector is younger by comparison and younger than South Australia (57.6%). The region has an older workforce in construction, retail trade, and administrative and support services, with notable older profiles in the accommodation, food, arts and recreation service industries. This profile is consistent with workforce data which indicates that regional workforces tend to be older, resulting in a strong demand for workers to replace those who retire. (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), Australian Jobs, 2013, p.5).


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Workforce – Industry by Number Aged 45 Years or Older

Region South Australia Australia

No aged 45

or older

% No aged 45

or older

% No aged

45 or older

%

Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry 1,781 52.7 16,585 57.6 149,007 59.6

Mining 306 31.1 3,563 36.9 62,136 35.2

Manufacturing 1,120 39.6 33,041 42.4 385,840 42.7

Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services 103 42.6 4,259 42.9 50,347 43.5

Construction 694 39.8 20,804 37.4 29,969 35.3

Wholesale Trade 319 42.3 11,351 43.9 167,763 41.5

Retail Trade 924 34.1 25,399 30.6 327,942 31.0

Accommodation and Food Services 536 33.8 10,779 23.3 158,357 24.3

Transport, Postal and Warehousing 710 57.6 16,108 52.5 239,977 50.1

Information Media & Telecommunications 62 41.0 3,671 34.7 57,055 32.0

Financial and Insurance Services 161 42.3 8,811 40.0 119,814 31.8

Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services 113 47.3 4,477 47.4 66,732 42.0

Professional Scientific & Technical Services 253 39.7 16,249 40.1 266,332 36.5

Administrative and Support Services 359 47.5 11,592 45.6 130,813 40.4

Public Administration and Safety 553 47.8 24,023 46.0 298,791 43.3

Education and Training 915 46.7 30,551 52.1 398,119 49.5

Health Care and Social Assistance 1,520 50.9 50,511 50.2 561,468 48.0

Arts and Recreation Services 61 44.2 3,158 33.9 48,610 32.0

Other Services 347 37.4 11,704 40.6 142,531 37.7

Inadequately described/not stated 242 46.6 5,823 41.9 92,581 39.6

TOTAL 11,079 43.8 312,028 42.2 4,017,184 39.9

Table 14: Industry by Number Aged 45 Years or Older. (ABS, Census 2011).

Labour Force Profile In 2011, the region’s unemployment rate was 5.8%, slightly above the State and Australian rates of 5.7% and 5.6% respectively. The regional labour force participation rate was 59.9% - the same as for South Australia but below the Australian rate of 61.4%. (ABS, National Regional Profile, Eyre Peninsula

and South West, South Australia and Australia 2007-2011).

REGION 2006 2011

No

Unemployed

Unemployment

Rate %

Total

Labour Force

No

Unemployed

Unemployment

Rate %

Total

Labour Force

Whyalla 830 8.9 9,325 812 8.1 9,970

Port Lincoln 352 5.5 6,438 374 5.5 6,788

Ceduna 64 3.8 1,693 81 4.6 1,775

Cleve 20 2.1 971 10 1.1 904

Elliston 19 3.3 579 34 6.1 559

Franklin Harbour 17 2.7 622 28 4.6 609

Kimba 14 2.3 621 5 0.9 587

Lower Eyre Peninsula 83 4.0 2,079 94 3.9 2,430

Streaky Bay 37 3.6 1,018 55 5.2 1,050

Tumby Bay 42 3.6 1,156 45 3.7 1,230

Wudinna 23 3.2 710 8 1.2 695

RDAWEP Region 1,510 5.9 25,449 1,558 5.8 26,869

South Australia 38,176 5.2 728,070 44,968 5.7 784,328

Australia 503,804 5.2 9,607,987 600,133 5.6 10,658,460

Table15: Number of Unemployed, Unemployment Rate and Labour Force 2006 and 2011. (ABS Census 2006 & 2011).


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Unemployment has generally declined in the region since 2006, with the exception of Ceduna, Elliston, Franklin Harbour and Streaky Bay where the unemployment rate marginally increased. Whyalla has the highest rate of unemployment at 8.1%, markedly above the regional, State and Australian rates.

Educational Profile In 2011, 32.4% of people in the region over 15 years of age had completed year 12 at school. This is markedly below the rates of 44.8% for South Australia and 49.2% for Australia. The regional completion rate for Year 11 (22.7%) was notably above the State and Australian rates at 18.1% and 8.9% respectively.

Highest year of school completed

Region South Australia Australia No % No % No %

Year 12 or equivalent 13,931 32.4 560,615 44.8 8,188,615 49.2



Year 9 or equivalent 2,480 5.8 66,511 5.3 945,289 5.7

Year 8 or below 3,545 8.3 84,636 6.8 985,004 5.9

Did not go to school 140 - 10,056 - 142,143 -

Highest year of school not stated 3,803 - 95,140 - 1,418,473 -

TOTAL 42,939 - 1,252,409 - 16,634,724 -

Table 16: Highest year of School Completed. (ABS Census 2011).

(For persons aged 15 and over who are no longer attending school)

With tertiary and technical education the regional attendance rate of 11.4% was well below the rates for South Australia (22.0%) and Australia (21.6%). Of this sector, the percentage of people in the region attending technical and further education (7.5%) was approximately on par with those in South Australia (7.6%) and Australia (7.3%). However, the 3.9% regional attendance at a university or tertiary institution was significantly less than the attendance in South Australia (14.4%) and Australia (14.3%).

Education Region South Australia Australia No % No % No %

Pre-school 800 5.1 20,581 4.5 332,844 5.1

Primary- Government 4,186 26.6 87,778 19.1 1,181,787 18.2

Primary - Catholic 859 5.5 26,164 5.7 359,062 5.5

Primary – Other non-government 379 2.4 22,597 4.9 214,359 3.3

Secondary - Government 2,297 14.6 52,221 11.4 774,074 11.9

Secondary – Catholic 799 5.1 18,905 4.1 307,142 4.7

Secondary – Other non-government 163 1.0 19,825 4.3 254,828 3.9

Technical or further education 1,182 7.5 34,842 7.6 473,606 7.3

University or tertiary education 609 3.9 65,957 14.4 932,524 14.3

Other 274 1.7 11,101 2.4 161,660 2.5

Not Stated 4,194 26.6 98,694 21.5 1,511,694 23.2

TOTAL 15,742 - 458,665 - 6,503,580 -

Table 17: Educational Institution Attendance. (ABS Census 2011).

The region’s lower participation in tertiary education is reflected in degree level qualifications, with low achievement for doctoral, masters and bachelor degrees compared with South Australia and Australia. However the region has much higher rates of achievement at certificate level, with 47.1% obtaining Certificate III and IV compared with 34.0% for the State and 31.2% for Australia. This education profile is consistent with known factors regarding the difference between regional and capital city workforces – i.e. regional workers are less likely to have studied after they left school, and are more likely to hold a certificate III or higher vocational qualification than their city-based counterparts. (DEEWR, 2013, pp.5 & 29).


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Level of Education Region South Australia Australia No % No % No %

Postgraduate Degree Level Postgraduate Degree 18 0.1 973 2.2 12,562 0.2

Doctoral Degree 39 0.3 7,215 16.5 94,674 1.5

Masters Degree 215 1.6 20,250 4.6 404,561 6.4

Graduate Diploma and Certificate

Graduate Diploma/Certificate 11 0.1 1,088 0.2 19,777 0.3

Graduate Diploma 240 1.8 12,249 2.8 184,863 2.9

Graduate Certificate 51 0.4 2,940 0.7 37,043 0.6

Bachelor Degree Level

Bachelor Degree 2,468 18.7 118,644 27.2 1,848,622 29.4

Advanced Diploma and Diploma

Advanced Diploma and Diploma 10 0.1 666 0.2 11,154 0.2

Advanced Diploma/Assoc Degree 765 5.8 30,703 7.0 439,918 7.0

Diploma level 949 7.2 38,162 8.8 554,987 8.8

Certificate Level

Certificate Level 482 3.6 14,078 3.2 174,067 2.8

Certificate III & IV 6,230 47.1 148,302 34.0 1,961,248 31.2

Certificate I & II 559 4.2 12,013 2.8 139,482 2.2

Inadequately Described 297 - 8,076 - 144,850 -

Not Stated 884 - 20,670 - 267,981 -

TOTAL 13,218 - 436,029 - 6,295,789 -

Table 18: Non-School Qualification: Level of Education. (ABS Census 2011).

Regional Education and Training Infrastructure Profile Limited access to tertiary education facilities in some regional areas is recognised as either a deterrent to accessing further education or a reason for young people relocating to capital cities and regional centres to study. The RDAWEP region has a diverse range of education facilities and specialised training centres. The South Australian Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) administers 39 government school sites across the region comprising: 2 junior primary schools (at Whyalla and Port Lincoln), 16 primary schools (7 at Whyalla and 3 at Port Lincoln), 12 area schools,4 high schools (3 at Whyalla and 1 at Port Lincoln), 2 special schools (Whyalla and Port Lincoln), and 3 Aboriginal schools (at Koonibba, Yalata and Oak Valley). There are 5 non-government schools located at Ceduna, Whyalla (2) and Port Lincoln (2). Some government schools are part of a Trade Training Centre Consortium which provides specialised learning opportunities to enhance career pathways and address skills shortages in trades and emerging industries. EYRE AND WESTERN TRADE TRAINING CENTRE PROGRAM SCHOOL SITE TRADE TRAINING FACILITIES

Ceduna Area School Aquaculture Cleve Area School Agriculture Cowell Area School Aquaculture and Engineering Cummins Area School Agriculture Edward John Eyre High School (Whyalla) Engineering Kimba Area School Cookery Port Lincoln High School Cookery and Aquaculture Streaky Bay Area School Cookery, Construction and Engineering Stuart High School (Whyalla) Aquaculture Whyalla High School Cookery Wudinna Area School Engineering

Table 19: Eyre and Western Trade Training Centres Consortium.


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Two schools have been established for many years and are highly regarded specialist learning centres. Cowell Area School has been offering an oyster aquaculture course since 1993 and established a commercial spat and on-grown operation in 2009. Cleve Area School operates a commercial 400-hectare property, Sims Farm, which specialises in dry land agricultural education in grain and prime lamb production. Sims Farm is a boarding facility and attracts students from all parts of the region and rural South Australia. The region also has Innovative Community Action Networks (ICAN) based in Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna to address the educational and training needs of young people who are at risk of disengagement with traditional education services. The ICAN’s provide niche services to address social inclusion and disadvantage for both Aboriginal and non-Indigenous young people.

Tertiary Facilities The region has several tertiary education and research facilities. Industry-based study is conducted through innovative research, extension programs and demonstration projects at the University of South Australia Whyalla Campus, the Minnipa Agriculture Centre and the Lincoln Marine Science Centre. These facilities provide opportunities to increase the region’s knowledge and business capacity, which is pivotal to building a sustainable economy and meeting environmental and community development challenges.

• University of South Australia, Whyalla Campus: The facility offers on-campus and on-line learning in various fields. The Centre for Regional Engagement has programs to meet the needs of rural and regional Australia, providing expertise in business, accounting, nursing, rural health, applied statistics, social work, community wellbeing and entry courses through foundation studies. Associate and Engineering Degrees (Metallurgy and Mechanical Engineering) are available to meet the growing needs of the mining and resources sector, and a Bachelor of Education (Primary) was initiated in 2013 to provide teacher training in the region. (Students previously had to travel to Adelaide to gain a teaching qualification). The campus hosts the only supported research centre outside Adelaide. The Centre for Rural Health and Community Development conducts research about regional development, health and community-based studies via an Applied Statistics Unit and a Project Evaluation Unit. The campus also has a Regional Sustainability Centre which is researching and proposing innovative options to encourage regional sustainability.

• Minnipa Agriculture Centre (MAC): MAC is a 1,200 hectare farm operated by the South

Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI). The facility conducts and monitors broad research, development and extension programs to value add to low rainfall cereal growing programs and innovative best practice farm management strategies for low rainfall environments. Many of these programs are conducted in collaboration with grower groups. Independent advice is provided by the Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation comprised of representatives from the region’s farming community, SARDI and the University of Adelaide.

• Lincoln Marine Science Centre (LMSC): The LMSC was built in 1995 by Flinders University to support research and tertiary education in marine science. The LMSC provides tertiary education through TAFESA and Flinders University in marine biology and ecology, oceanography and aquaculture. Post-graduate studies are available at Honours, MSc and PhD levels. The LMSC is a research centre for Flinders University, SARDI Aquatic Sciences and Biosecurity SA (Shellfish Quality Assurance Program). Research activities are undertaken by resident and visiting specialists. In 2008, the Centre had a major $6.59m expansion under the Marine Innovation South Australia initiative to create a national centre for excellence in southern temperate marine science.


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• Australian Maritime and Fisheries Academy (AMFA): The AMFA was established in 1997 as an industry-managed education centre for the maritime, fishing and seafood industries and is the only industry owned and operated development and training organisation in the Southern Hemisphere. The campuses at Port Adelaide and Port Lincoln provide courses for the operation of coastal vessels, from elementary sea safety to skippering large commercial vessels. The AMFA facilitates industry-based training for senior secondary school students wanting a career in the commercial fishing, aquaculture and maritime industries. Planning is presently underway to extend AMFA courses to include fire fighting skills and HUET which is necessary for employment on oil rigs.

• TAFE SA Regional: TAFE SA Regional has three campuses in Whyalla, Port Lincoln and

Ceduna, and smaller facilities at Wudinna, Cleve, and Kimba. These sites form part of a wider network which enables TAFE SA to offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of regional industries and communities. TAFE SA delivers most training via flexible external learning methodologies supported by IT and communication networks throughout the region, and has mobile facilities to accommodate localised learning requirements. Increased activity in the resources sector has generated a growing demand for mining, trades and related service-industry training and TAFE SA is tailoring programs to meet this demand. Recent Australian and State government investment upgraded the TAFE facilities at Whyalla and courses are now available in solar and other renewable energy in collaboration with energy industry partners. (Whyalla News, TAFE to build solar training facility,

Thursday, June 7, 2012, p.3).

Aboriginal Education and Employment Profile The region’s 5.7% Aboriginal population is substantial in comparison with the Aboriginal population of South Australia (1.9%) and Australia (2.6%) and must be factored into the human capital analysis. (ABS, National Regional Profile, Eyre Peninsula and South West, South Australia and Australia, 2007-2011). Fewer Aboriginal people in the region (16.2%) have completed Year 12 than the Aboriginal population of South Australia (22.1%) and Australia (25.0%). But the proportion of Aboriginal people who completed Year 11 (20.5%) is higher than for the State (19.1%) and Australia (11.0%).

Highest year of school completed – Aboriginal People

Region South Australia Australia

No % No % No %

Year 12 or equivalent 319 16.2 4,055 22.1 81,556 25.0




Year 8 or below 245 12.4 2,037 11.1 36,941 11.3

Did not go to school 20 - 370 - 5,205 -

Highest year of school not stated 280 - 2,273 - 35,185 -

TOTAL 1,974 - 18,349 - 326,332 -

Table 20: Aboriginal Highest year of School Completed. (ABS Census 2011).


In 2011, 36.7% of Aboriginal people in the region aged 15 years and over had completed year 11 or 12, compared with 58.5% for the non-Indigenous population. Conversely, higher proportions of Aboriginal people had left school after completing Year 10 or below (48.0%) than non-Indigenous people in the region (36.3%). Similar differences between the Aboriginal and non-Indigenous populations occur with post school education and labour force participation. 1.6% of Aboriginal people in the region completed a Bachelor Degree compared with 7.1% for non-Indigenous people (Table 22). At the Certificate level, more Aboriginal people (2.5%) had completed Certificate II level than the non-Indigenous population (1.6%) but there is a marked difference in achievement for Certificate III and over, at 10.8% for Aboriginal people compared with 20.0% for the non-Indigenous population.


48

Highest year of school completed – Aboriginal & Non-Indigenous

Aboriginal Non-Indigenous Indigenous Status not

Stated

TOTAL

No % No % No No

Year 12 or equivalent 319 16.2 13,515 34.7 97 13,931




Year 8 or below 245 12.4 3,215 8.2 85 3,545

Did not go to school 20 - 114 - 6 140

Highest year of school not stated 280 - 1,911 - 1,612 3,803

TOTAL 1,974 - 38,998 - 1,968 42,940

Table 21: Highest year of School Completed, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous. (ABS Census 2011).


Selected Labour Force and

Educational Characteristics in the Region – Aboriginal & Non-

Indigenous Persons

Aboriginal Non-Indigenous Indigenous Status not

Stated

TOTAL

No % No % No No

Persons aged 15 years and over 2,113 40,777 1,999 44,889

Non-school qualifications

Post graduate degree level 7 0.3 336 0.8 3 346

Graduate diploma/certificate level 3 0.1 358 0.9 0 361

Bachelor degree 33 1.6 2,915 7.1 12 2,960

Diploma/advanced diploma 63 3.0 2,202 5.4 9 2,274

Certificate II 52 2.5 655 1.6 8 715

Certificate III and over 229 10.8 8,136 20.0 50 8,415

In the labour force

Employed 725 - 24,442 - 145 25,312

Unemployed 181 - 1,361 - 16 1,558

Total Labour Force 906 - 25,803 - 161 26,870

Not in labour force 997 - 14,352 - 263 15,612

Labour force status not stated

% Unemployment rate 20.0 5.3 9.9 5.8

% Labour force participation 42.9 63.3 8.1 59.9

% Employment to population 34.3 59.9 7.3 56.4

Table 22: Selected Regional Educational and Labour Force Characteristics, Aboriginal and Non-Indigenous.

(ABS Census 2011, Indigenous Profile, Eyre Peninsula and South West).

The Aboriginal unemployment rate is significantly higher at 20.0% compared with 5.3% for non-Indigenous people. The labour force participation rate in 2011 was 42.9% for Aboriginal people and 63.3% for non-Indigenous people and the number of employed persons, expressed as a percentage of persons aged 15 years and over, was 34.3% for Aboriginal people and 59.9% for non-Indigenous people.

Sustainable Communities and Population Growth

Socio-Economic Profile

Regional Demographic Change Since 2001, the regional population has increased by 4.5% but this growth is not consistent across the region as a whole. The District Councils of Elliston, Wudinna and Kimba experienced population decline by -15.2%, -13.7% and -8.5% respectively, but the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula experienced growth of 17.2%. Population growth was also experienced in the coastal Councils of Streaky Bay, Tumby Bay and Port Lincoln:


49

The demographic change is caused by several reasons, with the desire for a sea change lifestyle being a key factor. Streaky Bay and Tumby Bay are very desirable coastal locations and new estate developments have been established to cater for the growing housing demand, notably by retirees from the agricultural sector. Population growth in the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula stems from several locational and lifestyle advantages including numerous coastal townships and proximity to the regional city of Port Lincoln and Port Lincoln Airport. Kimba and Wudinna, however, are the only Councils in the region without a coast line and this impacts their appeal and tourism development potential.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 2001 2006 2011 % Change

City of Whyalla 21,552 21,416 22,088 2.4

City of Port Lincoln 13,199 13,603 14,086 6.3

DC Ceduna 3,683 3,572 3,480 -5.8

DC Cleve 1,832 1,896 1,733 -5.7

DC Elliston 1,205 1,132 1,046 -15.2

DC Franklin Harbour 1,267 1,277 1,273 0.5

DC Kimba 1,181 1,116 1,088 -8.5

DC Lower Eyre Peninsula 4,070 4,402 4,916 17.2

DC Streaky Bay 1,986 2,024 2,102 5.5

DC Tumby Bay 2,453 2,541 2,586 5.2

Wudinna DC 1,425 1,314 1,253 -13.7

Unincorporated West Coast and Maralinga Tjarutja

- - 745 N/A

TOTAL 53,853 54,293 56,396 4.5

Table 23: Population Change, Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula Region (ABS Census Data 2001, 2006 and 2011).

A loss of employment opportunities from the rationalisation of farming properties is believed to be the main reason for population decline in the coastal council of Elliston. This is supported by ABS mesh block data which indicates that the 15.2% decline is not consistent across the LGA. The coastal township of Elliston grew from 201 people in 2006 to 292 in 2011, whereas the population of the inland farming town of Lock declined from 144 to 129 in the same period. (ABS, Census 2011 also see District Council of Elliston, Elliston Coastal Trail Business Case, February 2013, pp. 8-9).

Regional Migration Regional migration is comparable to the trends in South Australia and Australia. 40.5% of people in the region lived at a different address in 2006, slightly less than the rates for South Australia (41.3%) and Australia (45.3%). But 17.3% of people in the region (7,751) lived at a different address in 2010 - above the rate for South Australia (16.4%) and below the 18.5% rate for Australia. This indicates that migration trends have increased markedly in all three regions during 2010-11, but it is not possible to determine if the migration was inter or intra-regional.

Migration Region % South Australia

% Australia %

Persons 44,890 1,309,636 17,363,696

Lived at same address 1 year ago 45,130 1,298,985 16,946,444

Lived at different address 1 year ago 7,751 17.3 215,029 16.4 3,203,886 18.5

Lived at same address 5 years ago 31,288 884,813 11,009,842

Lived at different address 5 years ago 18,202 40.5 540,595 41.3 7,870,698 45.3

Table 24: Migration in Region, South Australia and Australia. (ABS Census 2011).


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Cultural Diversity The cultural diversity of the region is predominantly European. Australian born people comprise most of the regional population at 82.9%. This is a decline from 95.3% in 2006 but substantially above the South Australian and Australian rates of 73.3% and 69.8% respectively. The remaining population is comprised of people born in England, Scotland, New Zealand, the Philippines and Germany. The most common ancestries are Australian (33.3%), English (30.5%), Scottish (7.2%), German (6.6%) and Irish (5.9%) – ABS Census 2011.

Country of Birth Region % South Australia % Australia %

Australia 46,736 82.9 1,170,788 73.3 15,017,847 69.8

England 2,544 4.5 102,680 6.4 911,593 4.2

Scotland 781 1.4 13,904 0.9 133,432 0.6

New Zealand 383 0.7 12,849 0.8 483,398 2.2

Philippines 317 0.6 8,858 0.6 171,234 0.8

Germany 307 0.5 11,408 0.7 108,002 0.5

Table 25: Regional Cultural Diversity - Country of Birth. (ABS Census 2011).

English is by far the dominant language and is the only language spoken at home in 91% of the region’s households. This is notably higher than the rate of 81.6% for South Australia and 76.8% for Australia. Two or more languages are spoken in only 6% of regional households compared with 16.3% in South Australia and 20.4% for Australia. The other languages are Greek (0.4%), Italian (0.3%), Afrikaans (0.3%), Pitjantjatjara (0.3%) and Croatian (0.3%).

Family Composition The proportion of family couples without children (42.8%) is above the rates for South Australia (40.6%) and Australia (37.8%) and the largest sector of the regional population. Conversely, the regional proportion of family couples with children (39.5%) is below the South Australian (41.5%) and Australian (44.6%) rates. The proportion of family couples with children was identical in the larger towns of Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna at 38.4% but below the regional average.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

AREA

COUPLE FAMILY

WITHOUT CHILDREN

COUPLE FAMILY WITH CHILDREN

ONE PARENT FAMILY

OTHER FAMILY

PROPORTION OF SINGLE

PARENT POPULATION

No % No % No % No % Male Female

Whyalla 2,304 39.6 2,234 38.4 1,204 20.7 83 1.4 20.6 79.4

Port Lincoln 1,554 41.5 1,438 38.4 699 18.7 52 1.4 16.7 83.3

Ceduna 406 45.0 347 38.4 136 15.1 14 1.6 25.9 74.1

Cleve 225 49.3 188 41.2 39 8.6 4 0.9 28.2 71.8

Elliston 133 47.3 123 43.8 25 8.9 0 0.0 16.7 83.3

Franklin Harbour 181 53.1 128 37.5 29 8.5 3 0.9 23.1 76.9

Kimba 144 50.3 127 44.4 15 5.2 0 0.0 18.8 81.2

Lower Eyre Pen 594 44.9 595 45.0 125 9.5 8 0.6 28.2 71.8

Streaky Bay 252 47.1 224 41.9 53 9.9 6 1.1 23.5 76.5

Tumby Bay 383 53.8 256 36.0 65 9.1 8 1.1 27.7 72.3

Wudinna 143 43.3 160 48.5 19 5.8 8 2.4 45.0 55.0

South Australia - 40.6 - 41.5 - 16.3 - 1.6 18.9 81.1

Australia - 37.8 - 44.6 - 15.9 - 1.7 17.6 82.4

REGION 6,368 42.8 5,878 39.5 2,437 16.4 188 1.3 20.5 79.5

Table 26: Family Composition and Single Parents. (ABS Census 2011).


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Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna have the highest proportion of single parent families, with Whyalla (20.7%) and Port Lincoln (18.7%) above the regional, State and Australian averages. The proportion of female single parents (79.5%) is below the State and Australian averages of 81.1% and 82.4%, but the highest proportion of female single parents was recorded in Port Lincoln and Elliston – both at 83.3% and slightly above the State and Australian rates of 81.1% and 82.4%.

Median Incomes The region has a lower income profile than South Australia and Australia. The median incomes for persons, families and households in Ceduna ($585, $1,327 and $1,048) are above the regional and South Australian averages, but below the Australian median family income level ($1,481). The highest median family income in the region was recorded at Kimba ($1,365) but it is below the Australian average. The lowest levels of median personal income were recorded in Tumby Bay ($457), Franklin Harbour ($458), Streaky Bay ($463) and Whyalla ($472).

REGION PERSONAL FAMILY HOUSEHOLD

Whyalla 472 1,276 934

Port Lincoln 523 1,203 924

Ceduna 585 1,327 1,048

Cleve 536 1,136 938

Elliston 497 988 804

Franklin Harbour 458 992 845

Kimba 577 1,365 1,017

Lower Eyre Peninsula 526 1,238 1,039

Streaky Bay 463 1,044 812

Tumby Bay 457 1,012 787

Wudinna 544 1,262 973

South Australia 534 1,330 1,044

Australia 577 1,481 1,234

REGION 503 1,224 933

Table 27: Median Weekly Incomes (People Aged 15 Years and Over. (ABS Census 2011).

Selected Government Pensions and Allowances Collectively, the proportion of the regional population on income support from the aged pension, carer payment, disability support pension and single parent payment exceeds the South Australian and Australian rates. 3.7% of people in the region receive the Newstart allowance which is above the 2.8% rate for South Australia but equivalent to the Australian rate of 3.8%.

SELECTED GOVERNMENT PENSIONS

AND ALLOWANCES

REGION SOUTH AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIA

% % %

Age Pension - Centrelink No 6,891 12.2 194,014 12.2 2,220,384 10.3

Carer Payment No 630 1.1 13,894 0.9 186,065 0.9

Disability Support Pension No 2,950 5.2 76,061 4.8 818,850 3.8

Newstart Allowance No 2,110 3.7 45,367 2.8 527,480 3.8

Newstart Allowance – support over 365 days % 73.7 - 65.0 - 62.7 -

Parenting Payment - Single No 1,224 2.2 26,605 1.7 326,248 1.5

Youth Allowance (FT students/apprentices) No 537 1.0 26,819 1.7 325,225 1.5

Youth Allowance (Other) No 441 0.8 7,508 0.5 85,972 0.4

Table 28: Income Support Dependency in the Region, South Australia and Australia. (ABS, Census 2011).


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The 73.7% of people in the region who receive Newstart income support for more than one year markedly exceeds the rates for South Australia (65.0%) and Australia (62.7%). This indicates that there are pockets of entrenched unemployment and income dependency in some parts of the region - notably at Whyalla (76.5%) and Ceduna (76.0%). In the region’s three major centres, a higher proportion of people in Ceduna receive Newstart than in Whyalla and Port Lincoln, but a higher proportion of people in Whyalla receive the single parent payment at 2.9%. This is also markedly above the regional (2.2%), South Australian (1.7%) and Australian (1.5%) rates for single parent support.

SELECTED GOVERNMENT PENSIONS

AND ALLOWANCES

WHYALLA

PORT

LINCOLN

CEDUNA

% %

%

Newstart Allowance No 987 4.5 546 3.9 192 5.5

Newstart Allowance – support over 365 days % 76.5 - 69.6 - 76.0 -

Parenting Payment - Single No 650 2.9 341 2.4 73 2.1

Youth Allowance (FT students/apprentices) No 262 1.2 170 1.2 np -

Youth Allowance (Other) No 211 1.0 129 0.9 51 1.5

Table 29: Income Support Dependency in Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna.

(ABS, National Regional Profile, Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna 2007-2011).

Regional Housing Profile In 2011, 31.8% of the region’s occupied dwellings were owned outright, 30.8% were mortgaged and approximately one third of dwellings (33.7%) were rental properties. The extent of home ownership was notably higher in the smaller Council areas (averaging 48.0%) than in Whyalla (24.1%), Port Lincoln (28.6%) and Ceduna (31.9%).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

AREA

OCCUPIED PRIVATE

DWELLINGS

OWNED OUTRIGHT

OWNED WITH A MORTGAGE

RENTED

No. % No. % No. % No. %

Whyalla 8,937 88.7 2,153 24.1 3,037 34.0 3,489 39.0

Port Lincoln 5,518 87.3 1,581 28.6 1,715 31.1 1,988 36.0

Ceduna 1,274 80.9 406 31.9 314 24.7 492 38.6

Cleve 687 70.2 307 44.6 194 28.2 159 23.1

Elliston 427 55.5 218 51.2 89 20.9 104 24.4

Franklin Harbour 479 63.6 235 49.1 117 24.4 106 22.1

Kimba 411 76.7 218 53.0 85 20.7 87 21.2

Lower Eyre Pen 1,735 72.7 719 41.4 651 37.5 322 18.5

Streaky Bay 757 66.6 374 49.5 179 23.7 176 23.3

Tumby Bay 1,047 70.5 495 47.2 251 23.9 263 25.1

Wudinna 484 78.3 234 48.3 99 20.5 127 26.2

REGION 21,943 81.3 6,973 31.8 6,752 30.8 7,396 33.7

Table 30: Occupied Private Dwellings and Ownership Status. (ABS Census 2011).

The proportion of rented dwellings was above the regional average in the larger towns of Whyalla (39.0%), Port Lincoln (36.0%) and Ceduna (38.6%), whereas the average in the smaller Councils was 23.0%.


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LOCAL GOVERNMENT

AREA

SEPARATE HOUSE

SEMI-DETACHED ROW OR

TERRACE HOUSE

FLAT,UNIT OR APARTMENT

OTHER DWELLING

No. % No. % No. % No. %

Whyalla 6,031 67.5 2,495 27.9 380 4.3 32 0.4

Port Lincoln 4,180 75.7 837 15.2 457 8.3 46 0.8

Ceduna 1,154 90.7 4 0.3 76 6.0 36 2.8

Cleve 669 97.1 4 0.6 0 0.0 11 1.6

Elliston 388 91.1 4 0.9 8 1.9 23 5.4

Franklin Harbour 434 90.6 7 1.5 23 4.8 15 3.1

Kimba 402 97.6 4 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

Lower Eyre Pen 1,656 95.4 18 1.0 20 1.2 42 2.4

Streaky Bay 697 92.2 11 1.5 22 2.9 26 3.4

Tumby Bay 956 91.3 33 3.2 43 4.1 15 1.4

Wudinna 484 100.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

REGION 17,218 78.5 3,416 15.6 1,034 4.7 256 1.2

Table 31: Dwelling Structure Type – excluding visitor only accommodation, ABS Census 2011. (Other dwelling includes: caravan, cabin, houseboat, improvised home, tent, sleep out, or a house or flat attached to an office or shop). The vast majority of dwellings in the region (78.5%) are traditional separate houses. This percentage is markedly higher in the smaller Councils areas (94.0%) compared with Whyalla (67.5%) and Port Lincoln (75.7%). The region has very few flats, units and apartments (4.7%) with the majority (8.3%) located in Port Lincoln. Three bedroom dwellings comprise over half of the housing stock in the region (57.5%). This is relatively consistent in all Council areas with the exception of Whyalla where three bedroom dwellings comprise 63.2% of housing. (ABS, Census 2011).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

AREA

RENTAL PREMISES – LANDLORD TYPE

Real Estate

Agent

State or

territory

housing

authority

Person not

in same

household

Housing

cooperative,

community,

church group

Other

landlord

type

Landlord not

stated

TOTAL

Whyalla 1,007 1,889 351 23 169 48 3,487

Port Lincoln 712 597 506 35 103 39 1,992

Ceduna 96 139 120 51 65 21 492

Cleve 10 24 76 4 30 16 160

Elliston 4 14 57 0 16 13 104

Franklin Harbour 19 4 52 6 15 9 105

Kimba 0 12 47 3 15 10 87

Lower Eyre Pen. 50 8 176 6 47 34 321

Streaky Bay 22 26 81 0 29 16 174

Tumby Bay 48 14 138 19 24 22 265

Wudinna 3 23 68 0 21 12 127

REGION 1,972 2,758 1,678 190 547 250 7,395

Table 32: Rental Premises, Landlord Type. (ABS Census 2011).


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The region has 7,395 rental properties with 74.1% (5,481) located in Whyalla and Port Lincoln. Almost half (47.2%) of all rental properties are located in Whyalla. 95.2% of the region’s housing authority properties are located in Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna, with the majority (1,889 or 68.5%) located in Whyalla. On the basis of housing, the region is a comparatively cheap place to live. The median weekly rent is $150, compared with $220 per week for South Australia, and the median mortgage is $1,300 per month compared with the State average of $1,500. The average value of private sector housing is $226,400 compared with $252,500 for South Australia and $314,400 for Australia. (ABS, Census 2011, National Regional Profile, Eyre Peninsula and South West, South Australia and Australia).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

AREA

MEDIAN RENT MEDIAN MORTGAGE

2006 2011 % Increase 2006 2011 % Increase

Whyalla 104 150 44.2 737 1,300 76.4

Port Lincoln 141 180 27.6 997 1,300 30.4

Ceduna 100 136 36.0 823 1,192 44.8

Cleve 70 85 21.4 754 733 -2.8

Elliston 60 62 3.3 650 1,083 66.6

Franklin Harbour 101 180 78.2 737 1,120 51.9

Kimba 53 85 60.4 498 575 15.5

Lower Eyre Peninsula 100 140 40.0 867 1,200 38.4

Streaky Bay 100 140 40.0 708 1,116 57.6

Tumby Bay 95 150 57.9 800 1,200 50.0

Wudinna 68 84 23.5 600 758 26.3

South Australia - 220 - - 1,500 -

REGION n/a 150 39.3 n/a 1,300 41.4

Table 33: Regional Median Rent and Mortgage Costs, 2006 and 2011. (ABS Census 2006 and 2011).

Rental charges and mortgages vary across the region and both have been subject to increases in recent years. Between 2006 and 2011, the median rent in the region increased by approximately 39.3% and the average monthly mortgage increased by 41.4%. The largest rental increases occurred in Franklin Harbour (78.2%), Kimba (60.4%) and Tumby Bay (57.9%). The largest mortgage increases were recorded in Whyalla (76.4%), Elliston (66.6%), Streaky Bay (57.6%) and Franklin Harbour (51.9%). Data on average house prices is not usually available for regional areas of South Australia due to the low number of houses being sold in the smaller Council districts. However data is available for the provincial cities of Whyalla and Port Lincoln. In Whyalla, average house prices increased from $262,000 in March 2011 to $342,000 in March 2012. However, the average house price in Port Lincoln remained the same in March 2011 and March 2012 at $290,000, after peaking slightly to $300,000 in December 2011. (www.propertydata.com.au). Pending mining and industrial developments are believed to be an influencing factor on the cost of housing. Advice from the CEO of the Tumby Bay Council indicates that the 57.9% rental increase in the district mainly occurred in 2010-11 as a direct result of Centrex employees being based in Tumby Bay to plan the Port Spencer development. Escalating house prices in Whyalla are believed to result from proposed industrial developments in the city. Whyalla has been identified as a key housing growth zone, touted as the next Pilbara, with opportunities to benefit from the growing mining and resource sector. (Jo Studdert, Regions strike the mother lode, Mining means the nation’s growth will be outside the capitals, Weekend Property, The Weekend Australian, December 3-4, 2011, p.6).


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Future Housing Challenges A decade of population growth in coastal sections of the region, accelerated by the “sea change” phenomenon, has resulted in a number of new houses being constructed. Since 2007, 1,716 new private sector houses have been built in the region, with notable developments in the coastal towns of Ceduna, Coffin Bay, Port Lincoln, Streaky Bay, Tumby Bay and Whyalla.

BUILDING APPROVALS – Year ended 30 June 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 TOTAL

New private sector houses No. 305 400 412 339 260 1,716

Table 34: Building Approvals – new private sector houses RDAWEP region 2007-11. (ABS, Census 2011, National

Regional Profile, Eyre Peninsula and South West).

Population growth at the current rate (4.5%) and anticipated industrial and mining developments will create a demand for more affordable, quality and specialist housing in both the private and public sector to accommodate:

• Professional and medical workforces in the larger regional centres of Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna,

• Ageing residents and retirees, • Students – particularly at Whyalla, • Disadvantaged residents – particularly Aboriginal people in Ceduna, Whyalla, and Port

Lincoln and the Aboriginal communities of Yalata, Oak Valley and Koonibba, and • Workforces at towns impacted by mining and industrial development, such as Kimba,

Cowell, Lucky Bay, Tumby Bay, Lock, Port Neill, Wudinna and Whyalla. Although home ownership in the region is generally more affordable than in Adelaide, increasing house prices are making home ownership prohibitive for first home buyers, single people, youth and low to mid income earners. There is increasing demand from Aboriginal people for social housing. With a growing Aboriginal population in the region, attention needs to be given to Aboriginal housing needs to avoid overcrowding and associated poor health outcomes that have been the subject of several Productivity Commission reports on Indigenous Disadvantage in recent years. It is anticipated that the housing demand from the ageing population and movement of retirees from agricultural areas will substantially change the region’s housing profile in forthcoming years. This expected to affect:

• Housing densities and occupancy rates as some older people move into smaller dwellings, • The demand for housing in larger townships as retirees move closer to health and

community services, and • The demand for a variety of specialist housing types, including retirement housing and

independent and supported aged-care facilities. (Government of South Australia, Eyre and Western

Region Plan, April 2012, p.41).

Health and Ageing Issues The health and social care industry experienced 29.5% growth in employment since 2001. Further growth is expected due to the ageing of the regional population and growing demand for aged care services. Projections indicate that South Australia’s population aged 65 and over will increase from its current rate of 9.2% to 22.6% in 2020 and 25.7% by 2030. (DFEEST, 2012, p.5). For health planning and service purposes the RDAWEP region is classified as Remote Australia (RA 4) or Very Remote Australia (RA 5). The area around the City of Whyalla is the only part of the region with an Outer Regional Australia (RA 3) classification. (Australian Standard Geographical Classification – Remoteness Areas system, developed by the ABS and introduced in July 2010).


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RDAWEP does not have a direct role in the planning or provision of health services and infrastructure. Health services in the region are provided by the Australian Government through the Department of Health and Ageing, and the South Australian Government through the SA Health, Country Health SA Local Health Network (CHSALHN). State government health provision is undertaken by six regional health services: Whyalla Health Service, Port Lincoln Health Service, Ceduna Health Service, Eastern Eyre Health Service, Mid-West Health Service and Lower Eyre Health Service. Each health service has a local Health Advisory Council and a 10-Year Local Health Service Plan (to 2019 or 2020) providing a long term vision for health services. The Local Health Service Plans are supported by a three-year implementation plan prepared by a regional task group. The implementation plan for the RDAWEP region encompasses the Eyre Peninsula, Far North and the Flinders Ranges. (Country SA Health

Service Implementation Planning, 10 Year Health Services Plans Implementation Plan Years 1-3, Eyre, Far North and

Flinders Ranges, 2011). The Implementation Plan identifies issues and sets priorities to deliver better health outcomes. Key issues identified in the plan included:

• The remote location, resulting in some residents being large distances from major health services centres and a Country General Hospital.

• Transport difficulties with accessing health services. • High risk factors from smoking, insufficient physical activity and obesity. • The high proportion of older people in South Australia, and patients over 65 years of age

accounted for approximately one third of all separations in hospitals in the region. • The Aboriginal population has a much younger age structure than the general population,

but is hospitalised at twice the rate of the non-Aboriginal population: • Health workforce shortages are magnified in rural and remote areas, and the recruitment

and retention of a skilled and experienced workforce is a priority which must be met to maintain core health services.

• There is a need to overcome health service access issues through the rollout of desktop video conferencing through telehealth and strengthening broadband capacity in remote areas which was expected to be achieved through the NBN rollout.

Identified health priorities for the region were:

SECTOR PRIORITIES

Mental Health • Increase the focus on mental health well-being, early intervention, illness/suicide prevention

and substance misuse. • Develop a coordinated network of services. • Develop a multi-disciplinary team to support an integrated 24/7 emergency response service.

Primary Health

Care

• Build capacity for primary prevention and early intervention to be ‘everybody’s business’ and integrated across the continuum of care.

• Identify opportunities for the development of a network or partnership model to facilitate a

regional approach to health planning. • Develop a model of care that builds capacity for providing culturally safe outreach services

aligned to the needs of remote communities in the region.

• Develop a model of care which builds the capacity of smaller sites to provide more comprehensive support to transient vulnerable Aboriginal.

Aged Care and

Respite

• Establish Geriatric Evaluation and Management units at Port Lincoln and Whyalla that provide services to satellite units.

• Increase community based care through innovative models for ageing in place.

• Enhance care models for clients with dementia or with complex behaviour. • Improve and increase the respite options for older persons and their carers.

Maternal and

Birthing Services

• Establish a community midwifery model of care that is a collaboration between midwives, general practitioners, specialist obstetricians and the health service.

• Ensure sustainable and high quality obstetric and neonatal services models.

Table 35: Identified Health Priorities - Implementation Plan Years 1-3, Eyre, Far North and Flinders Ranges, 2011.


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SECTOR PRIORITIES

Emergency

Services

• Develop a model of care for emergency response to suit local needs, resources and capacity.

• Up-grade Accident and Emergency equipment and communication technology.

Early Childhood

Development,

Paediatrics and

Youth

• Increase local access to specialist paediatric services and Child Development Units, building on existing services.

• Enhance multi-disciplinary networks across service providers to encourage open and patient

centred collaboration. • Expand promotion, prevention early intervention strategies.

Aboriginal

Health

• Develop a culturally responsive health service.

• Promote Aboriginal community health and wellbeing. • Encourage improved pathways for Aboriginal people accessing health services. • Making a commitment to the satellite health units and remote outlying communities across all

priority actions, recognising their isolation and other unique needs. • Develop and sustain partnerships in the provision of services. • Recognise that resident general practitioners are critical in rural South Australia for the

provision of primary health care services. • Address issues impacting the patient including access to services as close to home as

possible, transport to and from services locally and to major centres, and the provision of

services which recognise cultural and other diversity. • Develop infrastructure to maintain a high standard of health service facilities. • Ensure consistent and reliable monitoring of safety and quality across all services.

• Advocate for other community priority needs that may be managed outside of CHSALHN, such as dental services.

Table 35: Identified Health Priorities - Implementation Plan Years 1-3, Eyre, Far North and Flinders Ranges, 2011.

(Country SA Health Service Implementation Planning, 10 Year Health Services Plans Implementation Plan Years 1-3, Eyre,

Far North and Flinders Ranges, 2011, pp. 2-4)). Direct consultation with aged care service providers at Port Lincoln in July 2013 identified additional issues and needs, including:

• The general lack of awareness in the broader community about the growth of the ageing population and the issues concerning aged care service provision.

• Aged care service funding increases are not commensurate with the growth of the ageing population resulting in a reduction of services overall. Providers find it difficult to meet the service demand and waiting lists have resulted. Waiting lists for high and low care packages in the region doubled during 2012-13.

• The attraction, retention and training of staff are ongoing issues. It is difficult to recruit qualified and experienced staff, due to the poor wages, the part time nature of the work, the 7-days per week working requirement, and the distances that need to be travelled to provide services across the region. Recruitment is a continuous process and some positions have to be advertised several times.

• Most of the service provision is undertaken by independent contract care workers. • A priority is to keep aged people living independently in their homes for a long as possible,

however support programs such as Home Assist for low cost house repairs and maintenance are not available.

• Not-for-profit care providers (for example West Coast Community Services Inc. Uniting Communities) are finding it difficult to meet the changing standards for care infrastructure and Matthew Flinders Home Inc are facing dilemmas as a nursing home are required provide 1 bathroom per bedroom per patient). Regulators have lifted the requirements but grants are not available for the infrastructure improvements. The upgrades need to be undertaken via loans, which can be cost prohibitive.

• The size if the region is disadvantageous to service provision. Care workers are travelling longer distances to provide client services and the cost and time spent travelling reduces the amount of care that can be provided. Inequitable services are consequently being provided across the region with less service given to clients in remote locations. Some sections of the region receive no services at all because care workers cannot be recruited.

• Many Aboriginal people are not receiving carer funding as they do not identify themselves as carers. The administrative requirements for carer registration are also a deterrent for some Aboriginal people.


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• There are issues with the efficacy of discharge planning, notably from Adelaide Hospitals, often resulting in carees being stranded in Adelaide with the carer back in the region.

• There is an urgent need for more aged care medical specialist services in the region. • A fairer funding model needs to be determined because the existing model (based on

population per km²) disadvantages aged care service provision in larger regions. • Community service care providers are forced to compete with local and state-wide service

providers for any funding that is available. • There is a need to ensure that LGA's have effective aging strategies across the Lower

Eyre Peninsula.

Whyalla Aged Care Issues Whyalla has an increasing demand for aged care services, especially high care dementia services, as people endeavour to remain living in the community as long as possible. In 2011, 20.36% of the Whyalla population was over 60 years of age and further growth of the aged sector is predicted. While Whyalla has a number of well-established aged care services there is a need for forward planning to ensure that appropriate aged care services are available to meet the future needs of the community. With many people preferring to remain in their own homes with the support of a primary carer, there is increasing demand for overnight and day time carer respite services, in particular dementia respite services. Dementia day care services are also required to reduce the waiting list for services. Whyalla Target Team consultation and project prioritisation in September 2012 identified growing demand for development of a high quality lifestyle and retirement village in Whyalla as the population approaches retirement age. The Target also put very high priority on the preparation of an Aged Care Master Plan for Whyalla, incorporating disability and dementia care.

Environmental Profile

Natural Resources Management RDAWEP support initiatives to balance natural resources management (NRM) and economic development initiatives to sustain the natural attributes, liveability and prosperity of the region. Best practice NRM is critical for the long-term sustainability of the region’s agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and tourism industries, especially in a context of climate change variability. RDAWEP does have a direct role in the planning and implementation of NRM initiatives. NRM in the region is the primary responsibility of two NRM Boards and the SA Government Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR). Most of the region is under the auspices of the Eyre Peninsula NRM Board (EPNRM). The far western section is managed by the Alinytjara Willurara NRM (AWNRM) Board as the area is predominantly comprised of Aboriginal owned land. RDAWEP works closely with the EPNRM Board in a number of capacities. The EPNRM Board is represented on the RDAWEP Board and RDAWEP participates on the Eyre Peninsula Water Security Reference Group and the Eyre Peninsula Integrated Climate Change Agreement (EPICCA) Committee which are auspiced by the EPNRM – see Attachment 2: RDAWEP

Regional Consultation Network.

Water Management Water supply is arguably the most important issue impacting the future sustainability, growth and prosperity of the region. The Eyre Peninsula does not have abundant natural water resources. The potable water supply is largely drawn from isolated local groundwater aquifers, but is reliant on top-up supply from the River Murray.


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SA Water operates and maintains the regional water system. Whyalla, Iron Knob and Kimba are connected to the State water system from the River Murray. The southern and western parts of the region are supplied by a pipeline from groundwater basins. The two networks are connected between Kimba and Lock providing a mixture of water to the west of the region. In 2011-12 the Eyre Peninsula mains water consumption was 16.2 GL, with approximately 1.7 GL drawn from the River Murray. (Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR). Eyre Peninsula Demand and

Supply Statement Annual Review 2012, February 2013 - this data does not include The City of Whyalla, which is connected

to a separate supply network for the Upper Spencer Gulf). The 2011-12 annual review of demand-supply projections indicated that, based on current population growth and potential climate change impacts, the demand for potable water is expected to exceed supply in 2020-2021 and the demand for all water resources (i.e. non-potable water used by industry) is not projected to exceed supply prior to 2050. These predictions will be assessed annually. (DEWNR, 2013). Long-term sustainable water use is a key issue for the region. With forecast population growth and increasing water demand from industry there is growing community desire for the establishment of desalination plants to supplement the existing supply. RESIC has estimated that annual water demand for industrial use will increase from 30 GL in 2013 to 50GL in 2021. About 80% of this demand is for non-potable water and most of this supply will come from desalinated seawater. (Parsons Brinckerhoff, 2011 Resources and Energy Infrastructure Demand Study, November 2011, p.10). The SA Water Long Term Plan has identified two supply options – (1) the adoption of supply efficiencies on the Iron Knob to Kimba pipeline, and (2) a small seawater desalination plant of about 2.5 GL to supplement the groundwater basin supply network. SA Water’s preferred location for the desalination plant is at Sleaford Bay, south of Port Lincoln. (SA Water presentation to the Eyre

Peninsula Water Security Reference Group, 11th June 2013). The RDAWEP Board identified the provision desalination plants as one of the most critical needs in the region, but there are differing opinions about where they should be located. Some people want small desalination plants at different sites for the provision of localised water supply.

Climate Change The potential impact of climate change on the marine and land environment is a threat to natural resources, primary production and tourism in the region. Potential marine impacts include rising sea levels, rising sea temperatures, increased seawater acidification, altered ocean currents and changes in upwelling events. Predicted drier weather patterns and increased wind and storm damage are likely to impact arable land and farming practices. Water resources are likely to be further strained, with a decline in annual rainfall and higher evaporation rates. Droughts are expected to be more frequent and more severe. The combined effects could include shorter growing periods for plant and animal species and impacts on agriculture, fishery and aquaculture productivity. Adapting to climate change is essential to the long-term sustainability of the region’s natural resources and there is a compelling need to reduce carbon emissions as part of the adaption strategy. In 2012 EPICCA initiated Stage 1 of a Climate Change Adaption Plan for the Eyre Peninsula with an audit of the potential impacts for agriculture, fisheries, water, conservation and local government planning and operations. (Mark Siebentritt and Associates, Eyre Peninsula Climate Change Adaption

Plan Project Stage 1, January 2013). Stage 2 of the project – the preparation of a Regional Adaption Action Plan - commenced in 2013. Stage 2 is focussing on adaption and resilience as this puts priority on planning for future opportunities, rather than assessing vulnerability and climate change risks. This is a critical project for the region’s future sustainability because climate change impacts need to consideration when making economic development and other planning decisions.


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Renewable Energy The region has numerous natural attributes that make it ideal for the development of a diverse range of renewable energy projects. Two wind farms exist at Cathedral Rocks near Port Lincoln and Mt Millar near Cowell which supplement the power transmission network on the Lower Eyre Peninsula. Numerous other renewable energy initiatives are being progressed which will enable the region to make a significant contribution to the Australian Government’s target of producing 20% of the nation’s energy through renewable energy resources by 2020 – see Comparative Advantage and

Business Competitiveness.

Liveability and Community Amenity

Recreation Activities and Infrastructure It is widely accepted that sporting and recreational activities contribute to the development of stronger social networks and more cohesive communities. Indeed, the social fabric of most Australian rural towns has traditionally been based around sporting clubs. This is certainly the case on the Eyre Peninsula where the sports and recreation participation rate exceeds the State and Australian averages for both men and women (i.e. Region 83.1%, State 81.0% and Australia 82.5%). (Government of South Australia, Office for Recreation and Sport, Participation in Exercise, Recreation and Sports in Regional SA, Fact Sheet No 10, July 2006). The research also indicates that the region has above average participation levels as players, spectators, club officials, administrators and volunteers. (Government of South Australia, Office for

Recreation and Sport, Trends in Recreation and Sport, 2011, pp. 8-9 and Participation in Exercise, Recreation and Sports

in South Australia, Summary Sheet, 2012). Most towns in the region have either a single or a number of sporting facilities which provide the infrastructure to support the traditional sports of Australian Rules football, netball, cricket, tennis, basketball, bowls and golf. The infrastructure in smaller towns is often basic and usually consists of an oval or ovals, tennis and netball courts, bowling greens and a golf course. Local Government is the main provider of the sport and recreation infrastructure. However a large proportion of the region’s sporting infrastructure is dated and upgrades have not occurred for many years, due mainly to a lack of funding and competing Council priorities. Various sport and recreation consultancy studies have been conducted for Local Government in the region since 1999 and similar issues have been identified in all Council areas. The co-location of sporting clubs within a single facility is regarded as the most cost effective and efficient way of managing and sustaining sports infrastructure. This is well recognised right across Australia and has been brought about by sport and recreation trends which have seen:

• Rising costs to operate, manage and maintain sports clubs and grounds, • Greater competition for declining sponsorship dollars, • Declining sports participation in some regions and towns, making it difficult to field teams

and including the loss of teams in some sporting competitions, • A shift away from traditional club based, competitive team sports toward other fitness and

recreational activities such as walking, aerobics, gym exercise, cycling, swimming and running,

• A declining volunteer base – primarily due to ageing and volunteer burn-out – resulting in growing difficulty to attract and retain coaches, officials, and club administrators. (Office for Recreation and Sport, 2011, part 1, pp.2-7).


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The operation, management and maintenance of stand-alone sports facilities by individual sports clubs is no longer sustainable - particularly where there is a duplication of facilities in a town. There are significant financial and operational benefits to be gained from the co-location of sporting clubs into a shared facility. Not only does this arrangement spread the maintenance burden and operational costs between clubs, but it accrues critical mass enabling opportunities for sharing sponsorship benefits, providing higher quality facilities and delivering a broader range of sporting activities. The rationalisation of sporting facilities has occurred in Port Lincoln and Streaky Bay. Similar projects are progressed at Cummins, Ungarra and Poochera and other facilities in Port Lincoln, and planning for future co-located developments has been undertaken in Whyalla. RDAWEP is supporting these initiatives as required in order to ensure the development of social and cultural infrastructure across the region.

Arts and Cultural Infrastructure Community and cultural infrastructure is less comprehensive across the region. Nearly all towns have sporting facilities and some form of community, institute or memorial hall, but very few towns have specialised or dedicated facilities to support community and cultural activities such as community centres, visitor information centres, historical museums, libraries, art galleries, cultural centres, theatres, cinemas and the like. Most township halls are relatively old. They were purpose built originally to accommodate the social needs of the time but are generally inadequate for contemporary purposes. The region has two premier arts and cultural facilities – the Middleback Theatre in Whyalla which opened in 1986, and the historic Civic Hall complex in Port Lincoln, which dates from the late 1870’s. The Middleback Theatre is in need of major refurbishment (estimated at approximately $8 million). The Port Lincoln Civic Hall had a major upgrade in 2001 but growing attendance and participation rates has accelerated for the stage 2 upgrade of the first floor area at an estimated cost of $1 million. The region has two specialist Indigenous arts centres – the Ceduna Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Centre at Ceduna and Kuju Arts at Port Lincoln. These facilities have visual arts workshops and sell the work of local Aboriginal artists. Community participation in arts and cultural activities appears to be strong and growing. There are active arts, crafts, theatre, photographic, writing, historical and other groups in most towns.

Some of these groups are surviving quite well in makeshift and less than adequate facilities. However, several other plans are in progress to upgrade facilities to make them more suitable for the operational needs of arts and cultural groups. One of the issues concerning arts and cultural development is that meaningful participation data is not available. Country Arts SA collects basic data about event attendance but a comprehensive audit of cultural facilities, services and community groups has never been undertaken in the region. Given the historical importance of sport in rural townships it is understandable that most local Councils have developed specialised recreation and open space plans, but community cultural development planning is largely an incidental part of the Local Government strategic and business planning process. The need for more proactive community cultural development planning has nevertheless been recognised by Local Government, and RDAWEP has identified the need to support this initiative by way of a comprehensive cultural audit of the region.


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Access to International, National and Regional Markets

Regional Infrastructure Challenges The region’s utility and transport infrastructure is constraining development and preventing opportunities and initiatives from being realised. The key issues concern the limited natural gas supply, the capacity and reliability of the electricity supply, and the market access constraints of the road and rail network, ports and airports.

Natural Gas Supply Whyalla is the only town with a natural gas supply. The gas is supplied from the Moomba to Adelaide pipeline via a lateral line passing through Port Pirie. The remainder of the region is reliant on bottled gas supply. The lateral gas pipeline is sufficient to meet the existing needs of industry at Whyalla but demand is likely to increase in forthcoming years as businesses look to achieve more efficient means of operation. The pending establishment of new mining and industrial enterprises in the Upper Spencer Gulf will also drive the demand for increased gas provision. The capacity of the lateral supply line is a deterrent to industrial and economic growth at Whyalla because many proposed industrial initiatives may not proceed if the gas supply is not increased. Various studies have estimated that the gas infrastructure upgrade will cost between $30 and $144 million, depending on which option is adopted. (Potential Energy and GPS Engineering, The Case for

Increasing Natural Gas to the Upper Spencer Gulf, 2004, and Potential Energy and GPS Engineering, Increased Gas

Supply to the Upper Spencer Gulf, Potential Energy and GPA Engineering, April 2011). The 2011 study also found that the cost of providing the gas infrastructure will deter gas consuming industries from Whyalla and that government support is necessary to overcome this price disadvantage. (Potential Energy et al, 2011, p.3 and 64).

Power Supply Power to Whyalla is supplied by ElectraNet via 275/132kV substations at Davenport and Cultana. The Lower Eyre Peninsula transmission system is comprised of a single 132kV transmission line from Whyalla supplemented from wind farms at Cathedral Rocks and Mt Millar. Due to the extensive distances, the Port Lincoln supply has a back-up system of three diesel turbine generators, operated by Synergen, in the event that the transmission network fails. The western section of Eyre Peninsula is supplied by a 66kV transmission line from Wudinna to Ceduna and Penong. Other parts of the network have 66kV, 32kV and 11kV distribution systems. Port Neill is powered by three single phase 11kV lines from Lipson, and Fowlers Bay is not connected to the network and relies on a diesel generated power supply. The transmission lines from Whyalla to Port Lincoln were established in 1967 and are in poor condition and the line west of Wudinna is in very bad condition. Condition assessments indicate that conductor corrosion, strand breakage and vibration damage have been commonplace. Some lines were partially upgraded in 1998 and 2008 to increase thermal rating capacity. But a recent assessment by ElectraNet recommended that conductors, earth wires and towers be replaced prior to 2020, with some sections needing replacement prior to 2015. ElectraNet has estimated that transmission upgrade options to a 275kV system will cost between $635 and $910 million. (ElectraNet, Lower Eyre Peninsula Reinforcement, RIT-T: Project Specification Consultation Report, February

2012, pp.17-18).


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An upgrade of the transmission network is essential to enable proposed mining developments to progress from exploration to operation. The upgrade is under consideration but has been deferred until the future power needs of the mining sector have been properly investigated.

Road Network The region is bounded by the Eyre Highway, Lincoln Highway and Flinders Highway which are part of the National Highway 1 network and the maintenance responsibility of the State Government Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI). The region also has a network of 12,742 kilometres of local roads, 94.9% of which are unsealed. Most of these roads are the maintenance responsibility of local government, but some are classified as ‘rural arterial’ roads and are the responsibility of DPTI. The region’s eleven local Councils collaborate through the Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association (EPLGA) to develop a strategic regional roads plan which is supported by funding from the Special Local Roads Program. Road maintenance and development, however, is a major financial burden for the Councils due to the size of the road network and limited ability to raise capital from the ratepayer base. Grain, mineral resources, freight, food product and other commodities are primarily being transported across the region by road, which is exacerbating maintenance and development issues and the cost to local Councils. There is a need to substantially upgrade the road network to accommodate future development. Key needs include: • Road developments to support mining operations: The region has designated routes for

double road trains, but there is a need for triple road train routes. The only triple route is from Iluka’s Jacinth Ambrosia Mine north of Yalata to Thevenard Port, but two more triple road routes are required to support mining export operations – i.e. From Wilcherry Hill north of Kimba to Lucky Bay, and from Lock to Port Spencer. Local government is presently negotiating road route upgrades and maintenance agreements with the mining companies.

• Road developments to support tourism and improve safety: The region’s highway

network only has two passing lanes on the Flinders Highway at Port Lincoln. Increasing use of the highways by road trains and a growing self-drive tourism sector – notably grey nomads towing caravans or driving large mobile homes - has led to local demand for the strategic installation of passing lanes to improve road safety. This need has been identified by the RDAWEP Board and EPLGA but DPTI does not consider the proposal to be a priority. The Kingoonya to Wirrulla Road provides a 290 km link between the Eyre Highway and the Stuart Highway in northern South Australia. The road is strategically important because it links the Flinders and Outback Tourism Region to the Eyre Peninsula Tourism Region, providing a short cut of about 420kms. The road upgrade will provide an opportunity to promote travel experiences linking the tourism regions. There is significant growth potential for this market with over half a million visitors travelling along the Stuart and Eyre Highways each year. Traffic along the road has grown noticeably in recent years, due to use as a main drive-in-drive-out route by mining employees working at Roxby Downs and Prominent Hill. (RDAWEP, Building Eyre Peninsula as a Tourism Destination, January 2012, p.33). The road is a formed rubble surface that is very rough in parts and susceptible to washout in some sections. The road upgrade cannot proceed until capital development funding has been sourced. The re-development of the coastal road between Port Augusta and Whyalla has long been requested to create a tourism corridor to Whyalla via Point Lowly. However road access is unavailable because it crosses through the Cultana Training Area and the Department for Defence is unwilling to negotiate this matter. This has denied an important tourism development opportunity to the region. (Whyalla News, ‘Feeney: No on Coastal Road’, March 2013, p. 4).


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Rail Network The Eyre Peninsula’s railway network is an isolated and aged narrow gauge railway system that is not connected to the national standard gauge network. This prevents the region’s commodities from being transport to national markets by rail. A standard gauge line from the Arrium steelworks factory connects Whyalla to the national network but there is no rail connection between Whyalla and the rest of the Eyre Peninsula. The Eyre Peninsula rail network is generally in poor condition. The Wudinna to Port Lincoln line and parts of the Kimba to Cummins line are the only sections to have been refurbished. Grain train operations have consequently been curtailed on most lines resulting in grain being hauled from rail depots to ports by road. This is escalating road train use and exacerbating pressure on the road network. Mining companies have a preference for rail haulage over road cartage and new rail corridors are being planned to meet the export needs of the region’s emerging mining sector. There is an urgent need to support mining and business development with the construction of a standard gauge railway line linking the southern parts of the region to the national rail network, preferably with direct access to a port export facility with the capacity to cater for Cape class vessels (i.e. vessels up to 200,000 tonnes).

Ports The region has approximately 2,000 kilometres of coastline making ports critical infrastructure for national and international trade. The region’s four commercial ports are located at Whyalla; Point Lowly, Port Lincoln and Thevenard. The ports at Whyalla and Point Lowly are single user ports. Arrium owns and operates the Whyalla Port to export iron ore and steel product. SANTOS operates the Point Lowly port for the export of gas and petroleum products from the Coober Basin. Port Lincoln and the Port of Thevenard (at Ceduna) are operated by Flinders Ports but have multiple users. The bulk grain infrastructure on both wharves is owned and operated by Glencore and the ports are important handling facilities for the region’s fishing industry. Thevenard is also a major export facility for mineral sands, gypsum and salt. Growing concern about the efficacy of the Port Lincoln and Thevenard facilities led the former Eyre Regional Development Board to commission a major study of the ports in 2008-9. The Eyre Peninsula Ports Master Plan identified several capability and operational issues: • Shipping (with the exception of the oil berth at Port Lincoln) is restricted to bulk carriers as the

facilities do not have container handling infrastructure. • The ports have efficiency constraints due to the conflicting product handling and transport

requirements of different users. • There is potential for cross contamination from using bulk loading infrastructure for different

commodities. • The use of single conveyors requires wharf closure for wash down between loading different

commodities, resulting in additional demurrage cost to users through loading delays. • Wharf infrastructure is generally inadequate for existing demand. • There is a need to provide and maintain better quality port infrastructure, including upgraded

loading and storage infrastructure and improved rail and road access – particularly at Port Lincoln where B-double vehicles have to travel through the CBD.

• Both ports lack the capacity to meet the future storage and commodity transfer needs of emerging mining developments. (Parsons Brinkerhoff, Eyre Peninsula Ports Master Plan, January 2009,

pp.39-56).


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The rationalisation of the competing needs of the fishing industry and bulk export trade was identified as a major issue at both facilities. A key recommendation was that the fishing fleets be relocated to nearby purpose-built unloading facilities at both towns. The District Council of Ceduna has been pursuing funding to construct a purpose-built Marine Offloading Facility near Thevenard port to support the Great Australian Bight fishing industry, but the grant applications have been unsuccessful and the project is presently unable to proceed. (District Council of Ceduna, Thevenard Marine

Offloading Facility, Supplementary Business Case, April 2013). Construction of the Marine Offloading facility will overcome some of the operational inefficiencies at Thevenard port (District Council of Ceduna, 2013, pp. 11-13 & 29-30) but other major upgrade work is required to improve efficiencies, supply chain logistics and enhance the export capacity of the port. Thevenard Port: Thevenard is the major port on the far west coast of Eyre Peninsula and export tonnages have increased significantly in recent years from 1,778,421 tonnes in 2003 to 3,000,528 tonnes in 2011 (Flinders Ports Shipping Statistics, www.flindersports.com.au). Export demand is expected to further increase when new mineral sands mines in the far west of the region commence operation. The required upgrade works include deepening the Yalata Channel (from 8.2 metres to 10.7 metres), increasing capacity from 25,000 tonnes to 45,000 tonnes, and upgrading or replacing the ship loader with a system capable of operating at 1500-2000 tonnes per hour. These improvements will secure Thevenard as the preferred export facility for mineral production in the far west of the region and enhance the export competitiveness of the region as a whole. Emerging mining developments on the Lower Eyre Peninsula and northern South Australia require access to bulk commodity port facilities to export product to overseas markets. Mining enterprises will be unable to progress from exploration to operation without this infrastructure provision. Port Spencer: Centrex Metals mining venture at Wilgerup originally intended to export the iron ore from Port Lincoln. The proposal required the provision of iron ore loading infrastructure at a cost of $63.25 million (Parsons Brinkerhoff, 2009, Appendix C). The proposal was strongly opposed by the Port Lincoln community on environmental grounds, concern about potential cross contamination from exporting grain, minerals and seafood from the same wharf, and increased road-train movements through the CBD. Alternative port options were investigated and a site at Sheep Hill (Port Spencer), 21kms north of Tumby Bay, was identified as an ideal location because:

• It is central to several iron ore deposits on the Lower Eyre Peninsula, • It is only 5kms from the Lincoln Highway and 27kms from rail infrastructure at Ungarra, • The site has access to 20 metre plus deep water within 500 metres of the shoreline

(eliminating the need for dredging and minimising the jetty infrastructure cost), • There are no native vegetation issues, because the adjacent land has been cleared of

vegetation by farming, and • There are no Native Title issues.

Port Spencer is being developed primarily for the iron ore mining operation at Wilgerup and the Fusion JV with Eyre Iron Pty Ltd at Koppio. However grain will also be exported from the facility and Free Eyre, an Eyre Peninsula based farmer owned agricultural company, is part of the design team investigating the viability of grain export using Panamax sized vessels. Centrex intends to develop the port in four stages. Stage one received provisional development approval in December 2012 and stage two received major project status in May 2013 (Port Lincoln Times, Tick for new port, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, p.1). Construction is planned for 2013-14 and export is likely to commence during 2015-16. (Eyre Iron, presentation to Tumby Bay District Community Consultative Group, 23 July 2013).


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Cape Hardy: Iron Road Limited’s Central Eyre Iron Project at Warramboo, near Wudinna, is the biggest magnetite resource project in Australia and one of the top 20 projects in the world. The mine has a 30+ year life with an estimated magnetite reserve of 3.7 billion tonnes. (Iron Road Ltd. ASX Release and Media Announcement, May 2013, www.ironroad.com.au). To get the resource to export Iron Road is pursuing the development of a new port at Cape Hardy, near Port Neill (approximately 25kms north of Port Spencer), including the provision of a new rail corridor. The port proposal is at an early feasibility stage, but it is unforeseeable that the South Australia Government will give development approval for two port facilities in such close proximity. Whyalla: Mining companies have identified the need for a bulk commodities export facility near Whyalla to cater for emerging mining projects in the north of the State. The SANTOS port cannot be used as the jetty does not have bulk loading infrastructure and an upgrade for bulk commodity export would be cost prohibitive. Arrium’s $200 million upgrade of Whyalla Port to increase export capacity was opened on 30

th July 2013, but the facility is unavailable for third party use. However

the option to provide third party access is presently under review. A new deep sea port facility capable of servicing Cape size vessels has been proposed for Port Bonython by a Spencer Gulf Port Link Consortium, led by Flinders Ports Holdings. The $650 million facility was granted major project status in March 2012. The Consortium is presently working with mining companies to define the timing of mine developments and the likely commodity volumes that are to be exported. (Flinders Ports Pty Ltd (2012) Flinders Ports website and Media

release March 2012, www.flindersports.com.au).

Lucky Bay: An alternative port solution, a Common User Export Facility (CUEF), is being developed at Lucky Bay, north of Cowell, using an innovative transhipment system. The facility is being developed to export iron ore from IronClad Mining Limited’s operation at Wilcherry Hill, north of Kimba. With this transhipment system, iron ore will be loaded into sealed containers at Wilcherry Hill then be transported by road train to Lucky Bay. The containers will be loaded onto barges and then be emptied into export vessels moored in the Spencer Gulf. The transhipment system has several financial and other advantages because it overcomes the need to construct an expensive deep water bulk commodities port and can be established at a fraction of the cost. The estimated construction cost of Port Spencer Stage One is $150-200 million and Port Bonython will cost approximately $650 million. In comparison, the total cost of the Lucky Bay CUEF will be approximately $12-13 million. The CUEF also has the advantage of a much shorter construction timeframe and less environmental impact than a traditional deep water bulk commodities port. The CUEF is critical infrastructure for the Eyre Peninsula’s fast developing mining operations that are production ready because there is presently no other realistic option for the provision of a bulk commodities minerals export facility within the next few years. The lack of an export facility is a major holdup for mining companies that are close to being production ready. The Lucky Bay CUEF will be able to service mining companies well into the future because the facility has the capacity to grow as export tonnages increase. When fully developed with a permanent floating harbour moored in Spencer Gulf, the CUEF will be much more efficient and cost effective and will be able to export the product of other mining companies as well as grain. (RDAWEP, Lucky Bay Harbour Development, Business Case for a Major Upgrade of Lucky Bay Harbour, Final Report

February 2012). The State Government gave the project development approval in April 2011. In July 2012 the project received $2.212 million from the RDAF and $306,000 from the State Government RDIF. The project is near to construction and aims to be operational during 2014.


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Airports Commuter air services provide critical transport in the region for business, industry, tourism, health, education, social and recreational travel purposes. The region’s three airports with regular passenger transport (RPT) services are located at Port Lincoln, Whyalla and Ceduna. The facilities are owned and operated by local government – the City of Whyalla, District Council of Ceduna and the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula (for Port Lincoln Airport). In addition to RPT, the airports provide facilities and services for freight transport, charters, defence aircraft, medical retrieval and general aviation operations. Port Lincoln is South Australia’s busiest regional airport, with passengers reaching 200,000 in 2011-12. The latest passenger survey indicates that 40.4% of passengers between Adelaide and Port Lincoln travelled for business purposes with most of these (71.9%) employed by the private sector. (Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, Port Lincoln-Adelaide Air Passenger Survey Report, November-December 2011, January 2012, pp. 1-6). Whyalla Airport is the busiest airport in the upper Eyre Peninsula region and the fourth busiest airport in regional South Australia. In recent years, passenger volumes have been consistent at 65-70,000 per annum, with a growth rate of 6-7% since 2009/10. In 2012-13 there was growth rate of 9.6% (76,826 passengers) and it is predicted that annual passenger numbers will reach about 200,000 in 2025-26. (Hudson Howells, Discussion Paper, Whyalla Airport Governance Model and Development

Opportunities, March 2012, page 11 and The Airport Group, Whyalla City Council Preliminary Airport Review, February

2013, pp.17-19). Passenger numbers at Ceduna have grown from 9,608 in 1996-97 to 24,410 in 2011-12. This is a growth rate of 10% over the previous 10 years, with 19.7% growth since 2007. The daily passenger movement is predicted to grow 18.8% to 29.7% by 2030. (District Council of Ceduna, Draft Ceduna Airport Master Plan, November 2012, pp. 17-21). The passenger growth predictions are realistic and achievable because the airports are fast becoming critical infrastructure for emerging mining and industrial developments. Existing workforces are presently comprised of fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) staff, particularly in remote areas and during site construction when large numbers of tradespeople are needed for short periods of time. The airports have different infrastructure needs. Port Lincoln Airport is presently undergoing a major $12.7 million upgrade, largely funded by the RDAF and the State Government RDIF. Construction commenced in May 2012 and is due for completion in August 2013 Whyalla and Ceduna airports need substantial upgrades to improve their operational effectiveness and cater for increasing use from the mining, tourism and business sectors. The Whyalla Airport development has been accelerated with the provision of a $300,000 grant in 2013 from the RDAF for a $600,000 upgrade of the terminus building. The development of Ceduna Airport is largely in abeyance while the Draft Ceduna Airport Master Plan is undergoing community consultation. The region has other smaller airports with a mixture of sealed and sealed runways and pilot activated lighting at Wudinna, Streaky Bay, Tumby Bay, Kimba, Cleve, Elliston, Cowell, Cummins, Lock and Minnipa. These facilities require varying upgrades to cater for predicted increased use, particularly at Wudinna, Tumby Bay, Lock, Kimba and Cowell which have nearby mining developments. The airports are owned and operated by local Councils and the upgrade works are cost prohibitive. Government funding is therefore required for capital development. Wudinna District Council is presently negotiating a substantial upgrade of Wudinna Airport with Iron Road Ltd to support the Central Eyre Iron Project at Warramboo. (Wudinna Council presentation to RDAWEP Board, 26th July 2013).


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Communication Challenges The provision of reliable and fast communications infrastructure is critical to community and business development. In 2011, Internet broadband connection in private dwellings in the region, Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna were below the rates for South Australia and Australia but, with the exception of Whyalla, other connection systems exceeded the State and Australian rates.

Access to Internet at Home (Proportion of Occupied Private Dwellings)

Whyalla %

Port Lincoln

%

Ceduna %

Region %

South Australia

%

Australia %

With Broadband connection 55.6 57.5 53.3 56.3 63.5 67.1

With dial-up connection 2.5 3.0 2.7 3.2 3.5 2.9

Other connection 3.5 4.7 4.3 4.4 4.1 3.9

Table 36: Access to Internet at Home in the Region, South Australia and Australia.(ABS, 2011).

National Broadband Network Telecommunications in the region will be substantially improved with the roll out of National Broadband Network (NBN) infrastructure. The NBN will deliver fibre-to-the-premises in Whyalla, Port Lincoln, Kimba, Cleve, Cowell, Tumby Bay and Ceduna. Other towns will receive wireless or next generation satellite services. The roll-out program for the region (at June 2013) is:

• Whyalla – construction has commenced at the new Jenkins housing estate, but connection for the rest of the city will occur January 2014 to June 2015.

• Port Lincoln – construction has commenced at the New West Road housing estate, but connection for the rest of the city will occur from March 2016.

• Cowell and Kimba – construction from September 2014. • Cleve – from December 2014. • Tumby Bay - from September 2015. • Ceduna – from June 2016. (www.nbnco.com.au/roll-out map).

The delay in the roll-out is disappointing for the region but the process is being driven by cost efficiencies, project logistics and the principle of providing priority connection to people who presently have limited or no access to broadband services. When completed, 93% of premises across Australia will receive broadband via fibre optic cable, but the remainder – which includes the bulk of remote communities – will be served by a combination of next-generation fixed wireless and satellite technologies, 4% via fixed wireless and 3% via satellite. Cummins will be among the 4% of towns to get the fixed-wireless alternative and the rest of the Eyre Peninsula, including Elliston and Streaky Bay, will have satellite. (Port Lincoln Times, Fast Internet Takes Time, 2 April 2012). Concern has been expressed that the inferior wireless and satellite services may disadvantage some businesses and households. Whereas fibre to the premises technology will provide broadband speeds of up to 100 megabits per second, the wireless and satellite services will provide download speeds of 12 megabits per second. As most remote Aboriginal communities will only be provided with satellite services, it has been argued that the NBN roll out will maintain disadvantage and widen, rather than close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. (ABC News, NBN disparity threatens to widen the gap, 12 July 2011). Some of the smaller towns in the region with satellite services might be disadvantaged in comparison with larger regional centres. However, NBN Co has confirmed that smaller towns with hospitals that only receive a satellite connection will be able to use services such as E-health (on line electronic health support) because the new satellite services will be vastly superior to existing services and have the speed capability to send and receive large files. (Presentation by J Dennis, NBN Co Advisor – Stakeholder Relations to RDAWEP Board, 18 May 2012).


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One issue is that NBN Co has a town size threshold which means that some smaller towns (including those with hospitals, such as Wudinna) might not be connected to fibre even if the infrastructure runs past the town. NBN Co is reviewing its Extension Policy so there is a chance that the fibre connection of some towns might be reconsidered. RDAWEP will pursue this matter and argue for fibre connection wherever possible. The NBN rollout will provide opportunities for on-line business growth. RDAWEP will foster business use of the Internet through forums and workshops to encourage development of the region’s digital economy.

Mobile Phone Coverage Mobile phone coverage presently extends across the region via the Telstra Next G and 4G networks, giving broad phone coverage to most rural townships and communities. Other phone network providers (Optus and Vodafone) have expanded their service coverage and offer service alternatives in the major townships. But some areas near larger towns suffer from communication black spots with fluctuating and non-existent mobile phone and wireless broadband reception. The black spots are largely caused by local topography. Areas to the north of Port Lincoln along the coast and in the Koppio Hills – such as Ungarra and Louth Bay - are notorious for poor communications with mobile and Internet services regularly losing signal. A community meeting about this matter with Telstra at Ungarra in 2011 was informed that it was cost prohibitive to construct additional mobile phone towers to service small communities. The NBN will not improve mobile telephone services because they use different communication systems. However, if the RDAWEP region is to remain economically competitive and be marketed as a quality place in which to live and work, it is reasonable to expect that mobile telephone signal will not drop out during phone calls, especially when the caller is in direct line of sight to major regional centres.

Trade Patterns Australian export markets were markedly impacted by the value of the Australian dollar during 2012-13 which reached a peak of $1.06US in September 2012. At the time of preparing this Regional Plan the Australian dollar had slumped to $0.92.46US (June 29 2013), much to the delight of exporters and home buyers. (The Weekend Australian, Best annual result for shares since the GFC,

June 29 -30, 2013, p.25 and Lisa Allen, Dollar brings home the buyers, The Weekend Australian, July 6-7, 2013, p.3). The greatest concern for Australian trade, however, is the fluctuating price of resource commodities and the reliance on China. (Barry Fitzgerald, China can’t be taken for granted, The Weekend

Australian, July 6-7, 2013, p.23). Market need is a critical demand factor for mining enterprises. Feasibility studies for mining developments consider the nature and type of the resource, the volume and potential life of the resource, the infrastructure investment requirements to extract and export the resource to market, operational timeframe logistics and, importantly, the market value of the resources. Staged development and operational approaches are necessary to match resource export volumes with market values in order to manage financial risk and infrastructure investment. For example, in 2011 Iluka Resources exported 400,264 tonnes of mineral sands through Thevenard Port, but reduced exports to 246,887 tonnes in 2012 when the market price (for zircon in particular) was lower. (Annual Export Reports, www.flindersports.com.au). If the mining boom fades (i.e. due to resource prices), the capital development plans of emerging mining companies are at risk of not being implemented. The greatest risk is with larger infrastructure projects such as the establishment of strategic Cape class bulk export port facilities.


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Australia’s mining boom is very much reliant on strong demand from Asia – particularly China and Japan. Nearly half of Australia’s export income is presently derived from these two countries, but China is the main driver. Importantly, the export income is largely from two commodities – coal, and iron ore. According to the well-respected Economic Journalist, Terry McCrann, Australia is now totally hostage to China. (Terry McCrann, China the Known Unknown, The Weekend Australian, 26-27 May

2012, p.30). Since the GFC in 2008-09, China’s demand for iron ore helped to drive iron ore prices to a peak of $187 per tonne in late 2011, more than three times higher than the pre-crisis peak. However, the Chinese economy deteriorated in the first and second quarters of 2012, and in May iron ore prices had fallen to $137.50 per tonne – the level last seen in February 2011. (The Weekend Australian, Get

Ready for the End of the Boom, 19-20 May 2012, p.14). In November 2012, the iron ore price per dry metric tonne was approximately $119.00 US rising to $152.76 US in February 2013, but the price then slumped to $123.94 US per tonne in May 2013. (Iron Ore Monthly Commodity Prices, www.indexmundi.com). The variability of the iron ore market has potential to impact proposed mining operations in the RDAWEP region and should serve as a timely warning about the economic dangers of relying too much on a single commodity or single industry.

Comparative Advantage and Business Competitiveness

Business Overview The RDAWEP region is well positioned to facilitate and support a broad range of significant developments. The economy is extremely diverse with world-leading companies in agriculture, manufacturing, fishing and aquaculture, and fast growing mining, tourism and renewable energy industries.

NUMBER OF BUSINESSES BY INDUSTRY – at 30 June 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry 2,199 2,149 2,057 2,040 2,014

Mining 17 16 17 20 15

Manufacturing 190 186 176 169 171

Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services 14 12 11 11 9

Construction 680 675 671 671 685

Wholesale Trade 103 103 101 94 94

Retail Trade 411 408 402 389 389

Accommodation and Food Services 202 188 181 181 172

Transport, Postal and Warehousing 324 316 318 318 311

Information Media and Telecommunications 13 10 7 7 4

Financial and Insurance Services 284 284 281 299 301

Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services 383 382 384 397 406

Professional Scientific and Technical Services 185 188 176 189 189

Administrative and Support Services 121 119 124 125 120

Public Administration and Safety 12 10 13 12 12

Education and Training 27 27 30 29 26

Health Care and Social Assistance 122 130 151 170 167

Arts and Recreation Services 33 30 30 27 26

Other Services 233 218 207 227 245

Not Classified 28 35 46 59 65

TOTAL 5,581 5,486 5,383 5,434 5,421

Table 37: Number of Businesses by Industry, RDAWEP Region 2007-2011. (ABS, Census 2011).

In 2011, the region had 5,421 businesses, with the largest proportion (37.2% or 2,014) in the agricultural and fishing sector. Most of the businesses (56.8% or 3,080) were owner operated, non-employing businesses.


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Since 2007, there has been a 3.0% decline in the number of businesses overall (with notable decline in the agriculture and fishing, retail trade, and accommodation and food service sectors) but the health care and social assistance industry experienced business growth of 36.9%.

NUMBER OF BUSINESSES – at 30 June 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Number of non-employing businesses 3,050 3,033 3,011 3,095 3,080

Number of employing businesses: 1-4 employees 1,309 1,272 1,212 1,245 1,222

Number of employing businesses: 5+ employees 1,222 1,181 1,160 1,094 1,119

TOTAL NUMBER OF BUSINESSES 5,581 5,486 5,383 5,434 5,421

Table 38: Number of Businesses by Employees, RDAWEP Region 2007-2011. (ABS, Census 2011).

Since 2008, over 500 new businesses were established each year. There have been a similar number of business exits per annum, with over 600 a year occurring in 2008-9 at the time of the GFC. In the major regional centres, Port Lincoln has the largest number of businesses (30% or 1,630) followed by Whyalla (15.7% or 852) and Ceduna (7.6% or 412). In 2011, Port Lincoln and Whyalla had more business exits than entries but the reverse occurred in Ceduna.

NUMBER OF BUSINESSES – at 30 June 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

BUSINESS ENTRIES Number of non-employing businesses - 392 378 420 357

Number of employing businesses: 1-4 employees - 124 120 116 127

Number of employing businesses: 5+ employees - 66 52 38 44

TOTAL NUMBER OF BUSINESS ENTRIES - 582 550 574 528

BUSINESS EXITS Number of non-employing businesses - 502 501 397 427

Number of employing businesses: 1-4 employees - 108 96 71 72

Number of employing businesses: 5+ employees - 67 56 55 42

TOTAL NUMBER OF BUSINESS EXITS - 677 653 523 541

Table 39: Business Entries and Exits, RDAWEP Region 2007-2011. (ABS, Census 2011).

NUMBER OF BUSINESSES – at 30 June 2011 WHYALLA PORT

LINCOLN CEDUNA

Number of non-employing businesses 479 1,000 226

Number of employing businesses: 1-4 employees 205 317 94

Number of employing businesses: 5+ employees 168 313 92

TOTAL NUMBER OF BUSINESSES 852 1,630 412

BUSINESS ENTRIES 2011 Number of non-employing businesses 75 131 24



TOTAL NUMBER OF BUSINESS ENTRIES 109 169 40

BUSINESS EXITS 2011 Number of non-employing businesses 107 134 22



TOTAL NUMBER OF BUSINESS EXITS 131 174 32

Table 40: Businesses and Business Entries and Exits, Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna, 2011. (ABS, Census

2011).

Key Industries and Business Development Opportunities Based on employment, the main industries are primary production (agriculture, fishing and aquaculture), health and social care, manufacturing, retail trade, education and training, and construction. Tourism and mining are the region’s fastest emerging industries and have significant potential for future growth.


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INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT 2001 EMPLOYMENT 2011 % CHANGE

Agriculture, Fishing & Forestry 4,012 3,338 -16.8

Health Care & Social Assistance 2,111 2,996 29.5

Manufacturing 2,786 2,890 3.6

Retail Trade 2,481 2,669 7.0

Education & Training 1,764 1,967 10.3

Construction 1,340 1,813 26.1

Accommodation & Food Services 1,356 1,595 15.0

Transport, Postal & Warehousing 999 1,260 20.7

Public Administration & Safety 1,152 1,172 1.7

Mining 199 957 79.2

Table 41: RDAWEP Top Ten Industries by Employment, 2011. (ABS Census 2011 from www.myregion.gov.au).

Primary production (agriculture, fishing and aquaculture) is the largest industry employing 3,338 people or 13.1% of the regional workforce. Employment in primary production declined by 16.8% during the last decade (from 4,012 people in 2001 to 3,338 in 2011), largely due to the rationalisation of farming properties which reduced employment opportunities in the agricultural sector. Primary production nevertheless remains the major industry in the region and is integral to business growth and development in other industry sectors – ABS, 2011 Census, from www.myregion.gov.au.

Agriculture The region produces approximately 42% of South Australia’s total agricultural output, with a total value exceeding $500 million per annum. The region is renowned for its high quality premium grains, particularly high protein wheat, malting barley varieties, milling oats and canola. During the 2011 harvest, Eyre Peninsula produced 41% of South Australia’s wheat crop, 25% of the barley crop and 32% of the canola crop. The average annual volume of all grain crops is 2.2 million tonnes, although this peaked to 3.2 million tonnes in 2009. In 2011 the region produced 2.5 million

tonnes of grain and, on average, 97% of Eyre Peninsula’s grain production is exported. (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics – ABARE – Crop Report, June 2012). Livestock continues to attract high prices and farmer interest in the sheep industry remains stable. The rising value of livestock has rejuvenated interest in the sheep industry and there has been significant reinvestment in meat and wool in recent years.

Fishing and Aquaculture The commercial fishing and aquaculture industry produces about 80% of South Australia’s seafood product and employs over 1,024 people. Tuna farming and oyster growing are the largest employing sectors. The industry is highly trade focused exporting over 80% of seafood produced from the region to markets in New Zealand, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the USA. In 2010/11 the region’s aquaculture industry accounted for 97% of South Australia’s total aquaculture production, valued at $234.7 million, and employed 87.3% (635) of the State’s 727

FTE employment positions in the sector. (EconSearch Pty Ltd, The Economic Impact of Aquaculture on the

South Australian and Regional Economies, 2010/11, A report for PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, May 2012). The region is renowned internationally for the production of the highest quality, sashimi grade Southern Bluefin Tuna most of which is exported to Asia – notably Japan. In 2010-11, the tuna farming sector of the aquaculture industry generated $125 million in direct business turnover, with a flow-on effect to processing and transport of $11 million and flow-on to other sectors of $115 million. The direct contribution to gross regional product (GRP) was $57 million with GRP of $68 million generated in other sectors of the regional economy.


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The tuna farms were responsible for the direct employment of 177 FTE and 36 FTE in the processing and transport sector, and indirect employment of a further 519 FTE jobs locally (i.e. a total of 732 FTE positions in the region). (EconSearch, 2012, p.28). Other important sectors of the region’s aquaculture industry include the production of oysters, abalone, mussels and marine finfish which collectively generated product value of $77.66 million in 2010-11 and directly employed 444 FTE people in the region. (EconSearch, 2012, pp. viii and 9). The industry also has an important sardine fishery which is critical to the tuna farming sector because approximately 94% of the sardine product caught in South Australia waters is sold for tuna fodder (86% as fresh fodder and 8% frozen) with the remaining 6% sold for human consumption. (Econsearch Report for PIRSA, Economic Indicators for the South Australian Sardine Fishery 2010-11, June 2012, pp.

24-6). The Eyre Peninsula has a domestic and international reputation for its high quality range of premium seafood. This reputation has been built on sound environmental management, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. In a major marketing initiative in 2010, Eyre Peninsula developed a generic regional food brand under the banner of Eyre Peninsula - Australia’s Seafood Frontier to differentiate the region’s seafood product as world’s best quality. (RDAWEP, Brand Eyre Peninsula 2012-2013 Food Prospectus, 2012). The region is currently increasing the market competitiveness of the fishing and aquaculture industry through a range value-adding and development initiatives targeting the hospitality and culinary tourism industries. A guide on the preparation and cooking of seafood was published during 2012 and the Eyre Peninsula Seafood Flavour Wheel was launched in 2013. The Flavour Wheel is an innovative first for the Australian seafood industry. The Flavour Wheel provides sensory descriptions for ten seafood products from the Eyre Peninsula – black and green lip abalone, blue mussels, Southern Bluefin Tuna, southern calamari, Angasi and Pacific oyster, Spencer Gulf prawns, southern rock lobster, snapper, King George Whiting and Yellow Tail Kingfish. The provision of official descriptions – like descriptors that have long been used in the wine industry - enables seafood consumers and sellers to describe the sensory qualities of the seafood product. (Port Lincoln Times,

Flavour wheel a hit for sea-foodies, Tuesday July 9, 2013, p.1).

Health and Social Care The health and social care sector is the largest employer in South Australia and the second largest industry in the region. The health and social care industry offers a diverse range of facilities and services in all townships with regional hospitals located in Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna. The Ceduna and Whyalla hospitals underwent major redevelopment in 2010 and 2012 (at $36 million and $69 million respectively) and the $40.5 million redevelopment of Port Lincoln Hospital commenced in 2013 after construction was delayed from 2012. (Port Lincoln Times, Delays for Lincoln

hospital upgrade, Tuesday, May 22 2012, p.3). Eight smaller hospitals at Cummins, Elliston, Streaky Bay, Tumby Bay, Wudinna, Cleve, Cowell and Kimba provide a range of primary health services, including residential aged care. In 2011 the health and social care sector employed 2,996 people or 11.8% of the regional workforce. This is a fast growing industry with a 29.5% growth in employment from 2,111 people in 2001 to 2,996 in 2011, and 36.9% business growth since 2007. The health sector is expecting further growth due to the ageing of the regional population and a growing demand for aged care services. However, the industry has a number of issues concerning worker recruitment, infrastructure provision and operational funding that need to be addressed to support the growth of the aged care sector – see Sustainable Communities and Population Growth.


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Manufacturing Manufacturing and resource processing is the region’s third largest industry employing 2,890 people in 2011 or 11.3% of the regional workforce. The manufacturing sector has experienced modest employment growth of 3.6% since 2001, but numerous future growth opportunities are pending at Whyalla with several new industrial initiatives planned. Whyalla is the second largest city in regional South Australia and the principal centre for manufacturing, steel production and resource processing in the Upper Spencer Gulf region. Whyalla is strategically located with transport, engineering, business, retail and education sectors directly servicing the demands of mining and mineral processing developments. Whyalla is consequently being positioned as “South Australia’s Mining Services Hub”. The establishment of new mining operations in the northern areas of South Australia has potential to further develop Whyalla as the key manufacturing centre of the region. In recent years steel making at Whyalla by Arrium has increased significantly from 460 thousand tonnes to over 8 million tonnes per annum in 2013. This growth led to a significant expansion of Arrium’s Whyalla Port to increase its export capacity for cape class vessels. (Whyalla News, Cape vessel

milestone as first ship heads through Arrium’s new port, Tuesday, February 12, 2013, p.2). Pending new industrial developments at Whyalla include:

• Construction of a fuel terminal at Port Bonython (Senex Energy Limited, ASX announcement, March 9, 2012), a $650 million bulk commodities export facility (Flinders Ports Pty Ltd, Flinders Ports website and Media release, March 2012, www.flindersports.com.au),

• A $1 billion urea manufacturing plan (Archean Group, 2012 Archean website www.archeangroup.com), • A $350 million ammonium nitrate manufacturing plant (Deepak, 2012, Deepak website,

www.dfpcl.com), and • Construction of a commercial demonstration site for the manufacture of Biofuel from low

energy algae harvesting and other feedstock. (Muradel development brochure 2013, Fast Tracking Nature Sustainably, www.muradel.com.au). (This project has received development approval and was in the process of construction in June 2013).

The progression of some of these developments will be largely subject to the outcomes and recommendations of the Regional Mining and Infrastructure Plan that is presently being prepared for Upper Spencer Gulf and three RDA regions. The provision of an increased gas supply is essential to give Whyalla a competitive advantage in the manufacturing sector, especially for industries wishing to minimise their electricity costs and adopt more efficient modes of production. The manufacturing potential of Whyalla was severely impacted during 2012-13 by BHP Billiton’s decision to defer the $30 billion expansion of Olympic Dam (The Weekend Australian, Prospects take a dive

with shelving of Olympic Dam expansion, August 25-26, 2012, Inquirer, p.19), Arafura Resources’ decision to not proceed with the construction of a $1 billion rare earths processing plant (Whyalla News, Scrapped,

Tuesday April 23, 2013, p.1), and the Australian Government termination of a $230 million funding deed for the Whyalla Solar Oasis renewable energy project in June 2013 (Whyalla News, Solar Oasis at risk of

scrapping, Thursday, June 6, 2013, p.1).

Retail Trade The retail trade sector is an integral part of all townships and has the highest concentration in the provincial cities of Whyalla and Port Lincoln. Collectively, the retail sector is the region’s fourth largest industry employing 2,669 people in 2011 or 10.5% of the regional workforce. The retail sector has experienced steady employment growth of 7.0% since 2001. The growth and sustainability of the retail sector is largely reliant on the success of the region’s other industries – particularly primary production, manufacturing, mining and tourism – and many retail businesses have been established to directly support and service these enterprises.


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The retail sector received a significant boost with the opening of a third major supermarket (Foodland) in Port Lincoln during 2012 and the commencement of a $22 million upgrade of Westland Shopping Centre at Whyalla in May 2013. (Whyalla News, Upgrade Work Begins, Tuesday, May 28,

2013, p.1).

Mining The region’s mining sector is small in comparison with other industries. In 2011 mining employed 957 people or 3.8% of the regional workforce. But mining is having an economic impact and is the fastest growing industry with a significant 79.2% growth in employment during 2001-2011. This growth is the result of unprecedented mining exploration activity in the Lower Eyre Peninsula, which large resources of iron ore, coal and graphite along with uranium, gold and kaolin prospects. Eyre Peninsula is located within the mineral provinces of the Gawler Craton and Eucla Basin. These provinces are rapidly becoming one of Australia’s most promising mineral frontiers. The region has the largest deposit of gypsum in the Southern Hemisphere, significant iron ore resources and an emerging world class heavy mineral sands province. During 2011-13, commodities being mined and exported from the region included:

• Iron ore: 8-9 million tonnes per annum during 2013 being exported by Arrium from Whyalla (Whyalla News, Arrium Predicts Iron Ore Sales Increase, Tuesday October 9, 2012, p.2),

• Gypsum: 1.69 million tonnes exported by Gypsum Resources Australia during 2011 from Thevenard Port,

• Heavy mineral sands: 400,264 tonnes exported by Iluka Resources during 2011 from Thevenard Port, and

• Salt: 120,334 tonnes exported by Cheetham in 2011 from Thevenard Port. (Thevenard export data from Flinders Ports Statistics, www.flindersports.com.au ).

The mining impact will grow significantly in forthcoming years as new mining enterprises in iron ore, mineral sands, kaolin, graphite and uranium move from exploration to operation. The region presently has five operational mines with a further twelve mines awaiting approval – see Table 2. Major infrastructure investment in ports, roads, rail, power and water is critical for these development opportunities to be realised, and is being progressed through the development of the Regional Mining and Infrastructure Plan. (Deloitte, 2013, pp.18-19 and pp.45-48). The realisation of these various mining operations will create significant employment opportunities and increase the comparative advantage and competitiveness of the region by further diversifying the regional economy.

Tourism Tourism is the second emerging industry and has significant growth potential due to the region’s rapidly growing reputation for unique and diverse nature based visitor experiences and premium seafood products. In 2012, with the exclusion of the Adelaide Tourism Region, the Eyre Peninsula was the fourth most popular tourism region in South Australia with 390,000 visitors and the third highest region for visitor nights (1,593,000). Over the period from June 2010-June 2012, the annual visitation in the Eyre Peninsula Tourism Region averaged 326,000 domestic visitors (intra and interstate) and 14,000 international visitors. The collective visitation generated an average of 1,647,000 visitor nights per annum, with international visitors staying an average of 12.1 nights in the region. (SATC

Tourism Research, Overnight Travel - South Australian Regions, Year Ending December 2012, and SATC, Eyre Peninsula

Regional Tourism Profile 2010-2012, September 2012).


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Tourism is fast becoming an important sector for the regional economy, with visitor expenditure exceeding $277 million in 2011-2012 from 700 businesses. (SATC, Regional Tourism Profile for Eyre Peninsula 2011-2012. Also see, Whyalla News, Tourism Finally Recognised, Thursday, June 27, 2013, p.3). With direct support from tourism industry operators via the Tourism Target Team, RDAWEP is driving a number of integrated planning and other initiatives to further develop the tourism sector, including the preparation of an Annual Tourism Marketing Plan, a Regional Tourism Infrastructure Plan, a Regional Tourism Business Development and Workforce Skills Strategy, a Culinary Tourism Plan and a long-term Destination Management Plan. (RDAWEP, Building Eyre Peninsula as a Tourism Destination, January 2012 and RDAWEP, SATC and Eyre Peninsula Tourism Target Team, Eyre Peninsula Destination Action Plan 2012-2015, July 2012).

In order to maximise industry participation in and ownership of tourism development outcomes, the Tourism Target Team was restructured in June 2013 with the creation of five sub-regional planning groups – see Attachment 2: Stakeholder Consultation and Partnerships. The sub-regional groups will ensure that localised issues and solutions are incorporated in future tourism plans. Due to the success of the regional food brand Eyre Peninsula – Australia’s Seafood Frontier, the initiative has been adopted as the tourism brand for the region as a whole to drive strategic business and tourism development. The brand is presently being used to position the region as a culinary tourism and conference destination. (RDAWEP, Brand Eyre Peninsula 2012-2013 Tourism Prospectus, 2012.

The strategy has been very successful, resulting in direct interstate flights from Melbourne to Port Lincoln for Seafood Lover’s Weekends, inclusive of seafood master classes, during 2012. Direct flights for more Seafood Lover’s Weekends have been booked from Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Perth during 2013.

Renewable Energy Opportunities Renewable energy has the potential to become a major industry in the region due to natural assets of consistent wind resources, abundant sunshine and high wave action. The region has an estimated 300 cloud free days per annum, making it an ideal location for large scale solar energy farms. The Eyre Peninsula also has a landscape suitable for large scale wind farms and has been identified as offering extensive opportunities for wind generation with four wind zones experiencing wind speeds above 8 metres per second and potential to produce more than 10,000MW of generation. (Macquarie, Worley Parsons and Baker & McKenzie, Green Grid, Unlocking Renewable Energy Resources

in South Australia, 2012 p.1). Two wind farms exist at Cathedral Rocks near Port Lincoln and Mt Millar near Cowell which supplement the power transmission network on the Lower Eyre Peninsula. Other renewable energy projects being progressed include: • Green Grid Proposal: The staged development of four wind farms at Port Lincoln, Elliston,

Cleve and a site near Port Augusta, including the construction of a 500kV transmission network. Stage 1 would cost $613 million and generate 2,000MW of power. Stage 2 would double the generation to 4,000MW and provide power in the longer term to Heywood in Victoria and Mount Piper in New South Wales. (Macquarie et al, 2012 pp.41-43).

• Pacific Hydro Pilot Project: Australian company Pacific Hydro uses hydroelectric technology

to generate electricity. Wind generators power pumps to transfer sea water to reservoirs, which is then passed through turbines to generate power. The combination of wind and hydro technologies arguably produces a more efficient means of power generation as the hydro component can maintain power production during low wind periods. Pacific Hydro has a pilot demonstration site north of Coffin Bay in the process of being progressed. (www.pacifichydro.com.au).


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• Wave Rider Energy Pilot Project: Wave Rider Energy, an Adelaide based company, has developed unique wave harnessing technology and constructed a pilot plant to test the capability of the system. The plant is a floating platform anchored to the sea floor which produces power by converting the ocean’s kinetic energy into mechanical energy, with waves striking buoys to turn an axle and power generators. The plant was originally going to be tested at Lock’s Well, near Elliston because the wave climate in the area is the best available in South Australia. However, successful sea trials in 2013 provided sufficient data to make the Elliston pilot testing unnecessary. RDAWEP will nevertheless pursue future options for a demonstration plant to be established in the region. (www.waveriderenergy.com.au).

• Muradel Biofuel Commercial Demonstration Plant: Australian company, Muradel, is

developing a commercial scale demonstration site at Whyalla to produce sustainable Biofuel from microalgae. A pilot plant at Karratha provided promising test results but the demonstration site is located at Whyalla. Whyalla was selected for the demonstration plant because of the climate conditions, available flat and non-arable land, abundant seawater, established transport infrastructure, and availability of skilled labour. Demonstration trials will occur during 2013-14 to identify the most cost efficient method to produce Biofuel to compete with existing fossil-derived products and reduce carbon emissions. (Muradel development brochure 2013, Fast Tracking Nature Sustainably, www.muradel.com.au).

• Whyalla Solar Oasis Thermal Project: In 2010 a Solar Oasis Consortium commenced the

development of a 40MW solar thermal project at Whyalla. The $230 million project is the first commercial scale solar thermal plant in Australia and has the capacity to generate 66 GW of solar electricity per annum, enough to power 9,500 homes and reduce greenhouse gasses by 60,000 tonnes per annum (i.e. equivalent to taking 17,000 cars off the road p.a.). The project was funded with a $60 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) in 2012. But in June 2013, ARENA terminated the funding deed on the grounds that the consortium had failed to meet some of the grant conditions. The matter is being negotiated and it is hoped that the project will be reactivated. (Whyalla News, Solar Oasis at risk of being scrapped,

Thursday June 6, 2013, pp.1-2).

Innovation The encouragement of innovative technologies, cutting edge research, the development of value-added food products and more efficient processing and supply systems will give the region comparative advantages and strengthen the economy in the longer term. Many of the region’s educational facilities are presently undertaking such initiatives. The University of South Australia’s Regional Sustainability Centre is researching and proposing innovative options to encourage regional sustainability in the long term. Minnipa Agricultural Centre, in liaison with SARDI, is developing innovative best practice farm management strategies to value-add to farming techniques in low rainfall environments. The Lincoln Marine Science Centre is undertaking new research in marine science. TAFE SA regional is providing courses in solar and other renewable energy technologies. The Australian Maritime and Fisheries Academy, with assistance from RDAWEP, is investigating the extension of its courses to provide fire fighting and safety training and helicopter underwater escape technique (HUET) training, both of which are unavailable in the region at present. Fire fighting training is presently only available at the Brukunga facility near Adelaide and HUET training, which is essential for gaining employment on ocean oil rigs, is only available via ERG in Perth. The Muradel Project at Whyalla, which is a partnership between SA based SQC Pty. Ltd., the University of Adelaide and Murdoch University in WA, is using an innovative process to produce sustainable biofuel from microalgae, grown in sea water. With full commercial development, this process has the potential to meet the diesel needs of South Australia and the growing mining and resources sector, without the need to extract fuel from fossil derived products.


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RDAWEP, in association with the Environmental Protection Authority, DMITRE and the SA Oyster Growers Association (SAOGA) is presently supporting a feasibility study into options for the recycling of plastic oyster basket waste, which will bring cost and operational efficiencies to the oyster industry whilst overcoming the need to discard the baskets as land fill. This project is being closely watched by the New South Wales and Tasmanian oyster industries because they can see the potential operational and waste management benefits. RDAWEP will continue to support and encourage the development of innovative projects and research to improve business competitiveness and position the region as a centre of excellence for new technologies.


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Attachment 2: Stakeholder Consultation and Partnerships

Expectations and Status of the 2013-14 RDAWEP Regional Plan RDA Committees across Australia are expected to develop cross-sectoral partnerships and adopt a bottom-up regional planning approach with greater levels of community and stakeholder consultation. The underlying theory is that this process will produce more meaningful plans through widespread stakeholder involvement and endorsement, and produce better development outcomes through strengthened partnerships and improved inter-agency cooperation. RDAWEP supports these principles and has determined a process to achieve greater levels of community consultation during the three-year life of the Regional Plan. However, it is important to understand that timing and resource factors are critical to this process, particularly for a region of the size and complexity of RDAWEP. These factors impact the first year of the planning timeframe. The RDA consultation expectations are embedded in the RDA Regional Plan template and linked to KPI’s in the 2013-2016 Operational Funding Agreement. The requirements apply for the period 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2016, but the due date for the 2013-14 Regional Plan is 31 July 2013. This leaves very little time for RDA Committees to undertake specific stakeholder consultation for their 2013-14 Regional Plans. This Regional Plan should therefore be considered as a plan in transitional change, as it is largely based on RDAWEP operational practices applied from July 2012 – i.e. well before the Regional Plan template was introduced. This attachment therefore documents the stakeholder consultation and partnership building process in two parts:

• PART 1: Existing Consultation and Partnership Strategies

• PART 2: Proposed Future Consultation and Partnership Strategies

PART 1: Existing Consultation and Partnership Strategies

Effective Cross-sectoral and Intergovernmental Partnerships RDAWEP has established an extensive stakeholder consultative structure to ensure that it is fully informed about regional issues and needs and can respond appropriately. This consultative structure has been developed over many years, from previous operation as the Eyre Regional Development Board and Whyalla Economic Development Board. The consultative structure is comprised of Target Teams, a Regional Consultation Network, and a Business Development Program.

Target Teams The Target Teams are the primary mechanism for consulting with industry across the region. Five industry-based Target Teams have been established for Tourism, Agriculture, Fishing and Aquaculture, Eyre Peninsula Business, and Whyalla. The Tourism Target Team was established in 2009 to support the development of the Eyre Regional Development Board (ERDB) Tourism Plan. The Agriculture Target Team was formed in 2011 to replace the ERDB Drought Target Team which had fulfilled its role during the regional drought crisis of 2009-10. The Fishing and Aquaculture Target Team was formalised in 2012 and largely comprises the membership of a Marine Parks Advisory Committee that was formed in 2010 to voice industry concerns about the South Australian Government plan to establish Marine Parks around the coast of Eyre Peninsula.


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The Eyre Peninsula Business Target Team was established in 2011, and the Whyalla Target Team (the most recently formed consultative group) was established in July 2012 to provide business and community advice about economic development in the City of Whyalla. The Target Teams members represent a breadth of interests within their specific industry sectors. The Target Teams are therefore able to provide the best possible information about the issues and needs of industry – especially on matters concerning skills shortages and gaps, training, employment and workforce development. The Target Teams are also able to provide the best possible advice about the infrastructure needs of their sector and assist with the determination of development initiatives and delivery strategies. With the exception of the Whyalla Target Team (which has a City of Whyalla focus), the Target Teams have a whole-of-region focus with membership drawn from many townships across the region. RDAWEP Board members are represented on most of the Target Teams, which are facilitated by RDAWEP staff. The Target Teams provide their advice through minutes and reports tabled at RDAWEP Board meetings.

Tourism Target Team – Sub-regional Groups As part of the implementation of the RDAWEP Eyre Peninsula Tourism Destination Management

Plan the Tourism Target Team was enhanced through the creation of sub-regional groups in June 2013. Five sub-regional groups have been formed for the West Coast, Lower Eyre, Eastern Eyre, Central and Gawler, and Far West and Nullarbor regions. The purpose of the sub-regional groups is to encourage greater levels of industry and community input into the tourism planning and decision making process. The sub-regional groups include representation from existing Target Team members, RDAWEP Board members, tourism operators, Business and Tourism Associations, Local Government, Visitor Information Centres, Aboriginal organisations and government agencies, comprising approximately 60 members.

Regional Consultation Network RDAWEP Board members and staff participate on various groups and committees to ensure that the organisation is informed about the changing circumstances, needs and planning initiatives of different agencies and government departments. The stakeholder consultation network maintains cross-sectoral partnerships and provides RDAWEP with ongoing intelligence from an intra and cross agency perspective. (see Figure 2: RDAWEP Regional Consultation Network diagram). The stakeholder network has the advantage of government agency participation, thereby providing regional organisations with direct lines of communication to government departments and policy makers. Key groups in the consultation network include:

NETWORK GROUP PRIMARY PURPOSE

Regional Employment Network

Government and non-government

agencies in the Eyre Peninsula and

Whyalla.

Meet formally and informally to plan and implement employment skills

and workforce development initiatives,including project partnerships

and the joint funding of training and skills development programs.

Upper Spencer Gulf Common

Purpose Group (USGCPG)

RDA Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula, Yorke

and Mid North and the Far North, and the

provincial cities of Whyalla, Port Augusta

and Port Pirie.

Provide leadership and a common front for initiatives to address key

economic and social issues in the Upper Spencer Gulf region and

improve the quality of life of USG communities.

Table 42: Regional Consultation Network and Primary Purpose.


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NETWORK GROUP PRIMARY PURPOSE

Eyre Peninsula Regional

Facilitation Group

A State Government initiative in 2002 to

facilitate regional improvements through

inter-agency communication,

coordination and cooperation at a senior

management level.

To achieve targeted service delivery, optimise resource allocation,

reduce service duplication and address the regional priorities identified

in the South Australian Stategic Plan.

Eyre Peninsula Water Security

Reference Group

Comprising SA Water, DEWNR, EPNRM

Board, RDAWEP, local governments and

EPLGA. Meets annually (or as required).

Formed in 2007 as a reporting mechanism to the community about

matters related to water security and usage and the condition of

prescribed groundwater resources.

Marine Parks Advisory Group

Formed in 2010 by representatives from

all sectors of the regional fishing

industry.

Provide industry-based advice about the South Australian Government

plan to establish Marine Parks around the coast of Eyre Peninsula and

the potential economic impact on the industries and coastal

communities that rely on fishing for their economic sustainability.

Eyre Peninsula Integrated Climate

Change Agreement (EPICCA)

Formed in 2010 by an agreement

between the Government of South

Australia, EPNRM Board, RDAWEP and

the EPLGA.

Developing a cooperative approach to initiatives to address climate

change in the region. EPICCA is currently working on a major climate

change adaption plan for the region.

Whyalla Development Focus

Group (WDFG)

Representatives from State

Government: DPTI, PIRSA, DMITRE

and the Urban Renewal Authority;

Private Sector: Santos, BHP Billiton,

Port Bonython Fuels and Flinders Ports;

and Community Governance Sector:

Mayor of the City of Whyalla and

RDAWEP Board.

Acts as a conduit for communications between the Whyalla community,

the private sector and the State Government about development and

other matters in Whyalla and surrounding areas. Input from the general

community is provided via the Whyalla Community Consultation Group.

Eyre Peninsula Local Government

Association (EPLGA)

Comprised of the 11 member Councils in

the region. (The EPLGA is based in the

RDAWEP Port Lincoln office ensuring

ongoing cooperation and consultation

between the organisations).

Provide a cohesiveviewpoint, strong voice and forum for cooperation to

assist in the delivery of local government services across the region.

This includes engagement with and the development of partnerships

with State Government, industry, the community and RDA to promote

the economic and social prosperity the region.

AgriFood National Regional

Initiative

A Regional Advisory Group comrpised of

representation from PIRSA, the EPLGA,

RDAWEP and the seafood, mining and

agricultural industries.

An18 month Australian Government funded program (established in

2013) to drive sustainable skills development and employment in the

primary industry sector (agriculture and mining).

Tumby Bay District Community

Consultative Group (TBDCCG)

A community-based consultative group

formed in January 2013 comprising

residents of Tumby Bay district, DC

Tumby Bay, mining companies with an

independent Chair from RDAWEP.

Provide a community forum for the discussion of major development and

other projects in the Tumby Bay district and providing community

comment and feedback on planning, development and other issues to

government agencies, private sector developers, RDAWEP and the

District Council of Tumby Bay.

Table 42: Regional Consultation Network and Primary Purpose (Cont’d).


Figure 2: RDAWEP Regional Consultation Network.

Upper Spencer

Gulf Common

Purpose Group

RDAFN

RDAYMN

RDAWEP

City of Port Pirie

City of Whyalla

City of Port Augusta Marine

Parks

Advisory

Committee

Recreation

Abalone

Sardines

Tuna

RDAWEP

Rock

Lobster

Marine

Scale

EP Regional

Facilitation Group

RDAWEP Housing

Regional

Employment

Network

Health

Eyre Peninsula

Integrated

Climate Change

Agreement

(EPICCA)

RDAWEP SAPOL

EPNRM

Education SA Water

Whyalla Skills for All

in the Regions

Network

EP Skills for All in

the Regions Network

EPLGA

PIRSA EPNRM

State

Government

(Department of

Premier and

Cabinet)

EPLGA

JSA’S RTO’S RDAWEP

Youth

Services EP Water

Security

Reference Group

RDAWEP

Whyalla

Development

Focus Group

DPTI PIRSA

Indigenous Health DMITRE Urban

Renewal

Authority

GTO

Industry

Government

Agencies SA Water

ACE

Providers

BHP Billiton SANTOS

DEWNR Disability Support Centrelink

EPNRM

Whyalla

Community

Consultation

Group

RDAWEP Flinders

Ports

Port Bonython

Fuels

City of

Whyalla

EPLGA RDAWEP

11 Member

Councils 11 Member

Councils

RDAWEP Tumby Bay

District

Community

Consultative

Group DC Tumby Bay

AgriFood

National

Regional

Initiative

RDAWEP

EPLGA

Eyre

Peninsula

Regional

Advisory

Group PIRSA

Seafood

Mining

Agriculture

Community Reps


83 83

Business Development Program RDAWEP Business Advisory Services conduct an extensive needs-based business development program across the region. The program provides training and skills development workshops to address business needs. The business needs are identified through verbal, written and web-based electonic surveys to ensure that the workshops meet the expectations of business owners and managers. This process provides another information source to RDAWEP regarding issues and needs impacting the small business and retail sectors. The workshop program is additional to the Eyre Peninsula Business Target Team which was formed to provide business owners with a collaborative voice to ensure that their needs are addressed in RDAWEP business development and regional planning.

Stakeholder Engagement and Development of the Regional Plan Information derived from the consultative structure provides the primary source of local intelligence about regional issues, needs and opportunities, which is incorporated into RDAWEP planning. Stakeholder engagement during 2012-13 was extensive and is summarised in Table 43: The data is largely for the period 1 July 2012 to 31 May 2013, but is not exhaustive. During this period RDAWEP either conducted or participated in approximately 250 key consultations with community and government stakeholders via different methods including meetings, focus groups, presentations and large scale expos. In addition, numerous ongoing consultative meetings were held as required with government and non-government agencies and the private sector. The ongoing consultations have not been numerated and are indicated with the hash key (#) in the table.

STAKEHOLDER No METHOD KEY OUTCOMES

MANUFACTURING:

E and A Contractors # Project Consultation

• Industry engagement in Heavy Industry Training Program through interviews, assessment and work experience.

Skilled Engineering # Project Consultation

• Industry engagement in Heavy Industry Training Program through interviews, workshops and presentations.

Harvey Developments # Project

Consultation

• Consultation for Indigenous training and labour hire groups.

• Coordination of training and employment programs in alignment with SFAIR programs and NRM/DEEWR initiatives

Harsco # Project

Consultation

• Industry engagement in Heavy Industry Training Program

through interviews, assessment and work experience • Development of training plan for diesel mechanic training

pathways.

Industry Skills Council - Manufacturing Skills Australia

4 Project Consultation

• Coordination of National Workforce Development Funding project proposition for Whyalla industry in manufacturing

Patrick # Project Consultation

• Industry engagement in Heavy Industry Training Program through interviews, assessment and work experience.

Baulderstone 2 Project

Consultation

• Project implementation strategies for future installation and

access to training providers for Baulderstone sub-contractors in Whyalla.

Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)

3 Project

Consultation

• Project implementation strategies for future installation and

access to training providers of CITB members in Whyalla.

BIS Industries 3 Project Consultation

• Alignment of SFAIR project proposals to existing BIS industries national training plans through indigenous

mentoring programs.

Table 43: RDAWEP Key Stakeholder Meetings and Outcomes 2012-13.


84 84


MANUFACTURING (Cont’d):

DEEWR, DFEEST, TAFESA, The Training Duo, JCD Testing, Job Service Australia Providers - Heavy Industry Training Program

6 Steering committee meetings

• Monitoring of Heavy Industry Training Program accredited Skills for All training and non-accredited mentoring.

• Coordination of participant drug and alcohol testing and

analysis. • Management of accredited licenses and ticket programs. • Evaluation and best practice review.

• The Training Duo implementation of regionally adapted programs

DIISRTE - Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring program

6 Advisory meetings

• Coordination of Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Program to SFAIR/DEEWR Heavy industry Training Program and Arrium.

• Consultation in SFAIR project planning 2013/14 and participation in SFAIR Network

Job Services Australia (JSA) Providers

# Steering

committee meetings

• JSA consultation and stakeholder engagement in

SFAIR/DEEWR Heavy Industry Training program. • Development of client support mechanisms in alignment with

program objectives

MINING:

Arrium Mining, OneSteel

# Project

Consultation

• Industry engagement in Heavy Industry Training Program

through steering committee. • Workforce planning in alignment with training opportunities

through SFAIR programs

• Coordination of Safety Training Centre with Arrium. • Partnership in SA Training Awards for Industry Collaboration

Award

Industry Skills Council - Skills DMC


• Coordination of National Workforce Development Funding project for Whyalla industry in mining and civil construction.

DEEWR, UniSA, Arrium Mining, BHP Billiton, Muradel - Science and Engineering Challenge

2 Steering committee

meetings

• Facilitation of stakeholder engagement in partnership with DEEWR RESJ.

Eyre Peninsula Mining Training + Employment Group (EPMTEG)

9 Committee meetings

• Planning of 2013 Eyre Peninsula Mining Careers Expos, and other communication and engagement strategies.

2013 Eyre Peninsula Mining Careers Expos

6 Expos • Industry presentations, information booths, and career

information sessions to inform Eyre Peninsula residents about the scope of potential employment opportunities in the mining and resources industry and allied support service industries.

• One week expos attended by about 500 secondary school students, parents and jobseekers in four key regional centres.

AGRICULTURE:

Agriculture Target Team

2 Committee

meetings

• Site visit to Thevenard Port with GPSA representatives to

highlight the importance of the Port upgrade to EP grain growers.

• Agriculture Industry feedback to the Regional Infrastructure

Master Plan prepared on behalf of the State Government.

Sustainable Agriculture Working Group

1 Workshop • Review of sustainable agriculture projects on Eyre Peninsula and priorities for new projects. Representatives from EPNRM,

Local Government and industry present.

FISHING AND AQUACULTURE:

Oyster Basket Recycling Feasibility Project Steering Group

2 Project meetings

• Initiation of a project to minimise oyster industry waste through cost effective recycling options.

District Council of Ceduna

2 Project planning meeting

• Development of a Marine Offloading Facility at Thevenard to service the Great Australian Bight fishing industry.

Australian Maritime and Fisheries Academy

2 Project planning

meeting

• Business case investigating the feasibility of extending AMFA training courses to include HUET and fire fighting training.

Port Lincoln Fishing Industry

4 Site visits and consultation

meetings

• Investigation in partnership with SA Water, EPA, DMITRE, City of Port Lincoln and Port Lincoln based fish processors

into options for the disposal of fish industry waste.

Table 43: RDAWEP Key Stakeholder Meetings and Outcomes 2012-13 (Cont’d).


85 85


FOOD PRODUCT:

Individual seafood producers in the region

# Site visits and consultation meetings

• Direction for marketing materials and branding position. • Support for point of sale initiatives. • Support for export initiatives.

• Online seafood sales and logistics. • Development of seafood Flavour Wheel initiative. • Development of Master Classes educational programs.

Food SA # Consultation meetings

• Eyre Peninsula Food Producers Operational Plan.

Local seafood producers and interstate companies

# Interstate product sales meetings

• Market support for interstate purchase of local seafood product.

Regional seafood industry and Australian Gastronomy Conference

# Conference meetings

• Keynote speaker on Eyre Peninsula Seafood Industry secured for Australian conference.

Regional seafood industry and Tasting Australia Program

# Consultation meetings

• 3 signature Eyre Peninsula events featured in the Tasting Australia program.

Seafood Export Companies

# Export promotion meetings

• Major promotion of the Eyre Peninsula seafood industry undertaken in China.

Local seafood producers, media companies and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

# Marketing meetings

• Major promotional articles secured in print media. • Film segments produced for seafood consumer website

promotion.

TOURISM:

Regional Tourism Community Planning Workshops

5 Community and Industry

Workshops

• Determination of community priorities to be included in the Eyre Peninsula Destination Management Plan.

Eyre Peninsula Tourism Target Team

6 Committee Meetings

• Provide high level, strategic advice on issues affecting the economic performance of the tourism sector.

• Development of an annual Tourism Marketing Plan, Regional Tourism Infrastructure Plan and a long term Destination Management Plan.

• Preparation of a Regional Tourism, Business Development & Workforce Skills Strategy.

• Facilitation of tourism business development initiatives.

• Tourism training identification and implementation. • Funding and investment attraction.

Indigenous Tourism Operators

6 Consultation

meetings

• Further development of Indigenous Tourism Trail by inclusion

of coastal walking trails with links to Indigenous culture. • Inclusion of Maralinga Village Nuclear History. • Further development of existing tourism ventures to improve

economy plus employment of Aboriginal people.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT:

Port Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Inc

14 Committee meetings and

sub groups

• Establishment of Roles and Responsibilities. • Preparation of strategic plan.

• Development of a collaborative business model.

Ceduna Business and Tourism Assoc

4 Committee meetings and Chair

consultations

• Re-establish local economy spend. • Investigate freight logistics costs to Western Eyre.

Eyre Peninsula Business Target Team

1 Committee meeting

• Skills shortages in the region. • Payroll tax ceilings.

Business Advisors Regional Association SA


• Updates on RDA regional economic issues and business development issues.

• Presentations and discussions with federal, state and local

government about programs and changes.



86 86


BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (Cont’d):

Small Business Commissioner

1 Round Table • Payroll tax ceilings. • WHS and policy restrictions. • Carbon tax pricing for small business.

Whyalla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI)

9

Executive committee

meetings

• Focus on governance, leadership, transparency and being inclusive.

• Increasing awareness of WCCI brand and promotion of Whyalla through electronic social media sources.


7

Subcommittee

planning workshops

• Review out dated rules of association.

• Commence rebranding initiative and develop marketing plan. • Develop policies and procedures manual. • Develop planning structures for business networking and

business award events.


8

Stakeholder

engagement

• Discussions with stakeholders on current issues for

businesses in the region and potential projects for the region.

Whyalla 1st 1 Business Forum

• Meeting with Senator Anne Ruston about current business issues and the Cultana Defence expansion.

DMITRE Whyalla Community Consultation Committee

2 Stakeholder engagement

• Liaison with DMITRE about industrial organisations to sit on the Whyalla Community Consultative Committee

Whyalla Retail Business Marketing

2 Workshop and

stakeholder engagement

• Whyalla business and media roundtable for a ‘spend in your

region’ promotion. • SWOT analysis of existing retail issues. • Identification of business clusters having separate

promotional needs.

Whyalla Retail Business Group

1 Stakeholder

engagement

• Review of Retail Gap analysis at Whyalla.

Whyalla Target Team (WTT)

7 Committee meetings and

workshops

• Identification and prioritisation of key projects and funding opportunities.

• Identification of project-based sub groups to implementation action plans.

Whyalla City Council – Visitor Information Centre and Tourism

5 Project

consultation

• Scoping analysis for Tourism funding opportunities and

preparation of funding submissions.

Whyalla Volunteer Managers Network

6

Committee

meetings and workshops

• Formation of a body to support NFP and volunteer

organisations in the Whyalla region.

UniSA – Centre for Regional Engagement: Higher Education Investment Funding (HEIF)

1 Stakeholder meeting

• Delivery of project outcomes from (HEIF) allocation for Whyalla business and industry.

• Determination sought for establishment of a future alternate research industry.

Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)

# Stakeholder meetings

• Changes to employer sanction reforms. • Regional Employer workshops.

Cleve Tourism and Community Development

# Local Government stakeholder

consultation

• Determination of concept for interactive business event in Cleve.

• Discussion of RDAWEP role and services.

Business SA 3 Project

consultation

• Facilitation of Coaching and Mentoring program and

identification of process for Business SA to improve interaction with businesses in the region.

EPA Whyalla regional meeting

1 Stakeholders

meeting

• Exchange of local environmental matters and relevant

information.

DPTI Regional Mining Infrastructure Plan (RMIP)

2 Stakeholder consultation meetings

• Establishment of regional team to encourage stakeholder participation in the RMIP study.

Attorney Generals Department

# Ongoing liaison, as

needs basis

• Consultation about business legal issues and regulatory requirements.



87 87


BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (Cont’d):

Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICS)

# Ongoing liaison, as needs basis

• Regional engagement and program development in professional and NFP areas.

INDIGENOUS BUSINESS:

Port Lincoln and Eyre Region Employment and Training Program

8 Committee Meetings

• Business plan and strategy to obtain funds to build an accommodation and training room in Wanilla Forest, and use

the land for Indigenous work experience. • Link RTO’s and Group Employers to value add to training

provision and use of heavy plant and equipment.

• Liaise with the Remote Jobs and Community Projects provider to support programs for job seekers.

Eyre Peninsula Natural Resource Management Group – Western Sector


• Develop a project strategy to include Indigenous training and employment in project funding applications.

• Identify the persons and training skills required to obtain

funding. • Identify NRM projects related to tourism.

Eyre Peninsula Natural Resource Management Group – Eastern Sector

2 Consultation meetings

• Commenced strategy to duplicate the success of the Western sector on the East Coast/Central Eyre and Whyalla region.

• Identified and obtain funding to engage business agent to

develop a document that can be used as a tool for management and funding application

• Discuss connection of natural resource management to

projects related to tourism

Breaking the Cycle of Alcohol and Drug Abuse

6 Workshops • Develop a management and Action Plan to engage service

providers to address anti-social issues affecting the lifestyle of the clients and the economy of the far West region.

• Implement a transport service to move clients back to their

communities. • Engage project staff for education programs and diversion

activities.

INFRASTRUCTURE:

Elliston Coastal Facilities Committee


• Determination of a community concept for an Elliston Coastal Trail to enhance business and tourism development and

iidentification of the funding application requirements.

Cowell Boardwalk 1 Project

meeting

• Initial consultation with the Franklin Harbour Development

Group and District Council for the development of major coastal boardwalk at Cowell.

EPLGA, DPTI, Local Councils and Consultant

1 Consultation

workshop

• EPLGA road strategy and related road infrastructure issues.

Whyalla Target Team Visitor Centre Development Planning Group

1 Planning

meeting

• Meeting between WTT, RDAWEP and City of Whyalla about

strategies for the development of the Whyalla Tourism Precinct.

Whyalla Target Team Northern Coastline Development Planning Group

1 Planning

meeting

• Meeting between WTT, RDAWEP and City of Whyalla about

the provision of community and tourism infrastructure at Point Lowly.

City of Whyalla, CIC Project Steering Group and community.

2 Presentations • Community and Council presentations of the design concept for the Cuttlefish Interpretive Centre.

DC Tumby Bay and Ungarra Sports Association

1 Project meeting

• RDAF Round 3 application requirements for kitchen extension project at the Ungarra Sports Club facility.

WORKFORCE SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT:

Skills for All in Regions Network – Eyre (SFAIR)


• Discussion and exploration of training, employment and enterprise opportunities for the Eyre region.

Skills for All in Regions Network – Whyalla (SFAIR)

3 Committee

meetings

• Discussion and exploration of training, employment and

enterprise opportunities for the Whyalla community.



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WORKFORCE SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT (Cont’d):

Employment + Enterprise Strategic Planning Group (EESP)


• Discussion and exploration of training, employment and enterprise opportunities for residents of the Ceduna/Far West Coast region, including several Indigenous communities.

AgriFood Australian National Regional Initiative (ANRI) Steering Committee


• Provide broad direction to the Advisory Group in fulfilling the terms of reference, purpose and roles of the program objectives. This Regional Initiative includes all the

communities of Eyre Peninsula except Whyalla.

AgriFood Australian National Regional Initiative (ANRI) Advisory Group


• Focus group planning for the development and implementation of programs to meet the Regional objectives.

Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST) - Skills for All in Region Network

# Network meetings

• Coordination of Skills for All in Regions (SFAIR) program through stakeholder engagement.

• Planning of project directions and proposals for 2013/14. • Feedback of target cohort requirements addressed through

Skills for All in Regions programs.

Uniting Care Wesley Country SA, DEEWR, DFEEST - Connecting Families

6 Steering

committee meetings

• Advisory role on case management/employment project.

• Cross-regional and multi-funding partner coordination. • Project tendered to UCWCSA for implementation of

regionally adapted programs.

TAFESA # Project Consultation

• Alignment of Skills for All in Regions programs with TAFE as accredited training provider.

• Coordination of Skills for All in Regions network chair.

• Consultative role in TAFE/Australian Industry Group apprenticeship training reform pilot program.

DEEWR, Local Employment Coordinator (LEC), DFEEST Regional Coordinators

12 Advisory

committee meetings

• Cross-regional coordination of projects to align with Priority

Employment Area objectives through the DEEWR LEC role.

Department of Education and Childhood Development (DECD)

# Project consultation

• Industry coordination partnership with DECD Industry Liaison Officer.

• Further education pathways options in consultation with

DECD/UniSA and the Career Development Centre.

UniSA # Workshops • Participation in workshops to facilitate Engineering and Foundation Study pathways options for SFAIR participants to

access tertiary study.

Eyre Futures # Project Consultation

• Strategic planning for Wheels in Motion pilot project in partnership with DFEEST and the City of Salisbury.

• Project consultation on broadening of implementation plan for DEEWR/DFEEST project Youth Exploring Potential.

• Planning and implementation of project Work Exposure in

coordination with British Telecom pilot program run through DEEWR Partnership Brokers Network and RDA Limestone Coast.

• Project tendered to Eyre Futures for implementation of regionally adapted pilot programs.

Department of Human Services, DEEWR

2 Steering committee meetings

• Implementation of Jobs and Skills Expo. • Facilitation of Whyalla industry breakfast with

RDA/DEEWR/DFEEST and BGC Mining.

Whyalla First # Board meetings

• Advisory role to Whyalla First to regional training initiatives and opportunities.

• Participation in forums, workshops and events.

Adult Community Education Providers

# Committee meetings

• Coordination of Whyalla ACE providers and alignment to SFAIR programs.

• Consultation of ACE providers and re-alignment of WhyACE Network into the wider SFAIR Network meetings.

• Planning for proposed Community Enterprise and Learning

Centre.



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WORKFORCE SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT (Cont’d):

Career Employment Group

# Project Consultation

• Project propositions in alignment with Upper Spencer Gulf Placed Based Strategy.

• Accredited training provider input to SFAIR project planning.

City of Whyalla, DEEWR, DFEEST, Harvey Developments, DFaHCSIA, Housing SA


• Consultation group to collaborate on employment and training potential through the remediation and subsequent

development of the Bevan Crescent Primary School site.

LEC Advisory Committee

# Advisory committee

meetings

• Advisory role in Priority Employment Area workforce development strategies.

• Strategic planning and cross-regional project development in coordination with DFEEST and DEEWR.

Whyalla Chamber of Commerce

# Business forums

• Participation in forums and presentations to coordinate business sectors to training and employment opportunities through the SFAIR programs and the SFAIR network.

2013 Eyre Peninsula Career and Further Education Expo

1 Expo • Career, transition and further education information was delivered by a variety of display/demonstration booth holders, including employers and representatives from higher

education institutions and supporting organisations to an estimated 500 students, staff and parents from across the region.

Speakers in Schools 14 Workshops • Presentations delivered to approximately 850 students, staff and parents on topics concerning the regional labour market,

aspirational education and career development.

COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY:

Tumby Bay District Community Consultative Group (TBDCCG)

4 Steering group

and committee meetings

• Establishment of TBDCCG to provide a community voice on

mining, land development and other planning issues in DC Tumby Bay.

Eyre Peninsula Aged and Social Care Sector

1 Focus group meeting

• Identify issues, needs and priorities for the Regional Plan.

Eyre Peninsula Integrated Climate Change Agreement

2 Committee

meetings

• Appointment of a consultant to undertake stage 2 of the

climate change adaption plan inclusive of an integrated vulnerability assessment and adaption plan options analysis.

Eyre Peninsula Water Security Reference Group

1 Inter-agency meeting

• Update report on the status of groundwater resources, water allocations for 2013-14, and the annual review of the EP

demand and supply statement.

Franklin Harbour District Development Group

1 Focus group project

consultation

• Analysis of the preparation and funding application process for the development of a board walk at Cowell.

Adelaide University Environmental Institute, EPNRM, DEWNR

1 Consultation workshop

• Spencer Gulf Eco System and Development initiative.

PIRSA 1 Consultation meeting

• Rural Solutions Community Engagement Strategy for multiple land use.

Eyre Peninsula Community Foundation

2 Planning development meetings

• Update of the EPCF Strategic Plan for encouraging philanthropy in the region.


Local Government Strategic Planning Along with consultant research reports, additional information for the regional planning process is derived from Local Government strategic plans. The EPLGA and 11 local government Councils participated in the review of the RDAWEP regional vision and regional priorities for the 2013-14 Regional Plan. The organisations were asked to provide information about the alignment of the RDAWEP and Council vision and priorities, and the identification of additional Council priorities from their strategic plans that might be considered for inclusion in the RDAWEP Regional Plan. The local government review outcomes were included as appropriate in the update of the RDAWEP regional vision and priorities in this Regional Plan.


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New Partnerships Established The following new partnerships were created during 2012-13:

PROJECT/INITIATIVE PARTNERS PROJECT SUMMARY Feasibility Study into recycling Waste Oyster Baskets in the South Australian Oyster Industry

EPA, DMITRE, SAOGA and RDAWEP • Feasibility study into options to minimise oyster industry plastic waste with preference for cost

effective recycling outcomes.

Elliston Coastal Trail District Council of Elliston, Elliston Coastal Facilities Committee, EPNRM and RDAWEP

• Elliston Coastal Trail project development.

Cowell Boardwalk District Council of Franklin Harbour, Franklin Harbour District Development

Group and RDAWEP.

• Development of a major boardwalk at Cowell.

Tumby Bay District Development Projects

Tumby Bay District Community Consultative Group, Iron Road Ltd, Eyre

Iron Pty Ltd, District Council of Tumby Bay, RDAWEP.

• Consultative forum for development in Tumby Bay with a

focus on mining developments.

AgriFood PIRSA, EPLGA, seafood, mining and agricultural industries, and RDAWEP

• Advisory group to drive sustainable employment initiatives in the food sector.

Tourism Target Team – Sub-Regional Groups

Tourism operators, Progress and Tourism Associations, Visitor Information Centres, Local Government

and Government agencies – approximately 60 representatives in total.

• Creation of 5 sub-regional Tourism Target Team Groups for West Coast, Lower Eyre, Eastern Eyre,

Central and Gawler and Far West and Nullarbor to drive sub-regional tourism development initiatives.

Port Lincoln Fishing Industry, Disposal of Waste

SA Water, EPA, DMITRE, City of Port Lincoln and Port Lincoln based fish

processors

• Investigation into options for the sustainable disposal of fish industry

waste.

Table 44: RDAWEP New Stakeholder Partnerships 2012-13.

PART 2: Proposed Future Consultation and Partnership Strategies During 2013-16 RDAWEP will maintain existing partnerships and the consultative structure, and will implement initiatives to engage the broader community in the regional planning process. The broader community was encouraged to participate in the development of the Regional Plan in a radio interview (ABC Regional Radio, Tuesday 25 June 2013), by invitation placed on the RDAWEP website, and articles in the Whyalla E-News May 2013 and Regional Newsletter June 2013. The newsletter and E-News are distributed to over 800 individuals and organisations across the region. Even though these opportunities are provided to participate in the Regional Planning process, very little or no feedback is usually received via these means.

Community Consultation Strategy With the exception of the Whyalla Target Team and the newly formed Tumby Bay District Community Consultative Group (TBDCCG), RDAWEP presently does not have a community-based stakeholder network in place for consultation and planning purposes. A community consultative group is in the process of being formed in Wudinna District Council and RDAWEP intends to consult with this group on formation. However similar community groups have yet to be formed in other District Councils across the region. During 2013-14, RDAWEP intends to initiate community-based consultation across the region to engage the community in the review of the regional priorities and seek broad support for the regional vision.


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The RDAWEP region is not only vast in geographic size but comprises 11 LGA’s, two regional cities (Whyalla and Port Lincoln) and 9 other townships of reasonable size (Ceduna, Cleve, Cowell, Cummins, Elliston, Kimba, Streaky Bay, Tumby Bay and Wudinna). For equity in the different townships, the minimal consultation strategy would involve community workshops in each of the 11 Council areas. In order to be manageable the consultation strategy will consist of targeted focus group workshops, rather than open community meetings, with participants from each town selected for their skills and experience. With advice from local Councils a small cross section of each township community (i.e. a maximum of 10-15 people) will be invited to participate in the focus groups. RDAWEP staff experience indicates that such focus groups tend to be comprised of the ‘movers and shakers’ in township communities. This has the advantage of attracting the passionate achievers and delivering more positive planning outcomes. It needs to be noted however, that focus groups of this nature are not truly representative of their broader communities, so statements about ‘community representation’ need to be avoided. The issue of community representation will not detract from the efficacy of the consultation process because experience indicates that the ‘movers and shakers’ are usually the visionaries who drive rural communities forward. The focus group methodology will consequently value-add to the consultation process and achieve a degree of community ownership of the RDAWEP Regional Plan. The community consultation strategy will be maintained annually during 2014-16, thereby providing an opportunity for RDAWEP to foster and strengthen a partnership with the broader regional community.

Cost of the Community Consultation In order to minimise the cost of the community consultation, the strategy will comprise one focus group per local Council per annum. This methodology will nevertheless require a significant commitment of RDAWEP staff time and resources, along with meeting, travel and accommodation expenses. An indicative estimate to conduct this consultation (using one RDAWEP staff member only) is $4,200 per workshop, totalling $46,200 per annum for the region. The need to undertake wider community consultation is a new RDA requirement and a compulsory performance expectation of RDA Committees. This requirement will substantially increase the scope of work involved in the regional planning process and is additional to existing RDA Committee operations. RDAWEP will consequently be seeking to cover the cost of the community consultation through a variation to the 2013-16 Operational Funding Agreement.

Role of Stakeholders in the Regional Plan Review The RDAWEP Board presently reviews the Regional Plan, regional vision and regional priorities annually. The Board also conducts annual reviews of the activities, projects and initiatives in the Strategic Plan and determines a list of priority projects for RDAWEP staff to target. The review of the regional vision and priorities was expanded during 2012-13 with input from local government. As the new Regional Plan format has a three-year life cycle, this will provide more time to further expand the review process and seek the active involvement of other stakeholders. In addition to the proposed community consultation focus group workshops, RDAWEP will encourage government and non-government agencies from the across the region to propose amendments to the regional vision and priorities to bring key agency planning documents into better alignment. This process will be conducted annually, commencing in 2013-14.


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Use of Data to Measure Outcomes and Achievements

RDA Outcomes and Key Performance Indicators RDA has determined outcomes and key performance indicators in the 2013-2016 Operational Funding Agreement. The KPI’s require RDA Committees to provide evidence, information and reports to demonstrate that the desired outcomes have been achieved. The KPI’s as detailed by RDA (i.e. evidence, information and reports) are relatively vague and do not include measures. RDAWEP has therefore determined the following measures for reporting purposes.

OUTCOME RDA KPI PROPOSED RDAWEP MEASURES

Consultation and engagement with the

regional community on issues,

solutions and priorities to identify the

aspirations and potential of the region,

help to develop a long term vision for

the future and connect the regional

community with the vision.

Provide RDA with reports

demonstrating the maintenance and

nurturing of a constructive relationship

with the regional community in a

manner that has assisted the

development of a widely-supported

vision and strategy for the region.

• Number of community focus groups

conducted by RDAWEP.

• Number of stakeholder meetings

attended.

• Key planning outcomes identified and

documented.

Informed regional planning that

identifies solutions which turn regional

strengths and comparative advantages

into sustainable, innovative and

competitive regional strategy for

implementing the vision for the region.

Provide RDA with reports

demonstrating the implementation of

the RDA template Regional Plan

informed by a diversity of sources

including wide regional stakeholder

consultation, regional evidence and

information, and strategic planning

documents from RDA and

State/Territory governments.

• Annual review of Regional Plan.

• Annual review of regional priorities.

• Updated Regional Plan provided to

RDA annually.

• All source documents identified and

cited.

An enhanced whole-of-government

approach to regional issues based on

strong and creative partnerships

across and between all three levels of

government – national, State/Territory

and local – which link governments to

the regional community to better

realise the opportunities created by

regionalism and encourage regionally

informed policy development.

Provide RDA with information

demonstrating the encouragement of

strong partnerships across and

between all three levels of government

and the incorporation of a regional

perspective into their agendas.

• Number of inter-agency meetings

attended annually.

• Names of all agencies attending

meetings.

• Joint initiatives and partnership

projects identified.

Enhanced awareness of government

programs that supports their use by

the regional community to complement

and build on regional strategies and

aspirations, including leveraging

funding between governments and the

private sector.

Provide RDA with evidence

demonstrating the efforts made to

raise regional awareness of

government programs and the

encouragement of applications for

funding support.

• Number of presentations delivered to

stakeholder groups annually.

• Number of grant applications assisted

annually.

Improved community and economic

development to encourage economic

growth, environmental sustainability

and social inclusion in the region by

facilitating partnerships across all

sectors – including the private sector

and non-government organisations –

such as by promoting business,

contributing to environmental studies

and supporting services that

encourage social inclusion.

Provide RDA with evidence

demonstrating the contribution toward

improved economic, environmental

and social outcomes in the region.

• Annual provision of the KPI’s from the

Local Government Resource

Agreement for:

• Industry and Business Capability

• Economic Growth and Sustainability

• Infrastructure Development

• Workforce and Skills Development

• Community Sustainability

• Regional Leadership

Table 45: RDA Outcomes and KPI’s from the 2013-16 Operational Funding Agreement.


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Local Government Key Performance Indicators RDAWEP has a range of KPI’s for reporting to Local Government Authorities as part of 2013-16 Resources Agreement. The KPI’s are structured by the six focus areas in the RDAWEP Strategic Plan and Business Plan. Most of the reports are provided quarterly.

FOCUS AREA KEY PERFORMANCE

INDICATOR

ANNUAL

TARGETS

REPORTING CONTENT

Industry and

Business Capability

Number of workshops and

participating businesses

• 10 business workshops

• 250 business participants

• Type of workshops

• Number of workshops

• Number of participants

Number of businesses

provided with specific

business advice

• 300 businesses assisted • Number of businesses

assisted

Number of Aboriginal

businesses assisted

• 2 businesses assisted

• Number of Aboriginal

businesses


assisted to participate in major

projects

• 6 businesses assisted in

major projects

• Number of businesses

Economic Growth

and Sustainability


assisted with investment, and

the value of investment by

businesses assisted

• 10 businesses

• $10 million of investment


• Value of investment/re-

investment


assisted to bring new

products to market

• 4 businesses with new

products


• Type of product


assisted to introduce

processes that boost

productivity and

competitiveness

• 10 businesses introducing

processes


• Type of process

Number of exporters assisted

and value of their export

• 8 exporters

• $1 million of export sales


• New/Existing exporter

• Value of the business

exports over a 12

month period

• Inbound and outbound

missions facilitated

and/or future planned

Infrastructure

Development

Number and value of

economic infrastructure

development projects

assisted

• 6 projects

• $10 million

• Number of projects

• Value of projects

• Name of government

agency involved

Workforce and Skills

Development

Number of

employment

outcomes achieved

(FTE’s)

• 245 employment outcomes,

new and/or retained

• Actual employment

outcomes


assisted

• 100 Businesses assisted • Actual Businesses

assisted

Identification of emerging

labour skills issues in the

region

• 5 labour skills issues • Number of emerging

labour skills issues

identified

Table 46: Local Government Outcomes and KPI’s from the 2013-16 Resource Agreement.


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FOCUS AREA KEY PERFORMANCE

INDICATOR

ANNUAL

TARGETS

REPORTING CONTENT

Workforce and Skills

Development

Programs developed with the

State Government, the

Commonwealth of Australia,

Councils and industry to meet

workforce demands, and to

increase the participation of

apprentices, trainees,

Aboriginal people and others

facing barriers to employment

• 4 programs • Number and type of

program established

Community

Sustainability

Regional percentage share of

the State population

• Increase the percentage share

of the State population

• Strategies/Activities

developed and

undertaken

• Percentage increase

achieved

Identification of barriers to

regional growth and mitigation

strategies

• 2 regional growth strategies • Number of regional

growth strategies

Number of projects assisted to

build community capacity.

• 5 projects assisted • Number of projects

assisted

Regional

Leadership

(Governance)

Demonstration of

leadership provided by

the Association and the

community in building the

capacity of the region

• Participation/ facilitation of 5

leadership initiatives

• Name of project collaborated with

Councils,

government

agencies and the

community

Effective working

relationships and

collaboration with DMITRE,

PIRSA, local Councils,

Government agencies,

industry and communities

• 5 strategic collaborative

projects

• Number of strategic

partnerships and

collaboration with

Councils and

government

agencies, industry

and communities

Provision of regional

intelligence to key Government

agencies, both Ministers for

Regional Development and the

Councils on significant

community economic

development issues and

opportunities in the Region

• Staff and Board Member

participation on collaborative

regional committees and Target

Teams

• 11 formal presentations to

member councils

• 5 Regional intelligence

presentations

• Number of staff and

Board Members

participating on

collaborative regional

committees.

• Report on cross-regional

issues and opportunities

identified

• Number of presentations

delivered

• Number of presentations

delivered

Table 46: Local Government Outcomes and KPI’s from the 2013-16 Resource Agreement.