- Latest News
Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer has welcomed the State Government's declaration of the Upper Spencer Gulf as an Economic Participation Region for the next four years.
South Australian Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis made the announcement today at the 13th GMUSG conference and trade expo being held in Whyalla. The GMUSC is South Australia’s premier resources and energy conference and trade expo.
The expansion of the Industry Participation Policy means all new capital work and maintenance contracts to be carried out in the region will require the State Government to consider local suppliers wherever possible. Local businesses will be assisted in the procurement process by a 20 per cent industry participation weighting, improving their chances of winning contracts.
Mayor Breuer said the announcement was another win for the Whyalla region as our region's economy bounces back from uncertain times.
"On the back of the successful sale of Arrium, the announcement of the solar thermal power plant for Pt Augusta and the redevelopment of the Nyrstar plant in Port Pirie, this is another big positive for the region," Mayor Breuer said.
"This move by the State Government will further boost confidence among our local suppliers that there is a bright future for businesses in the Whyalla region.
"It also reinforces Whyalla as a viable and vibrant economy capable of sustaining, growing and attracting new industries.
"If you were a supplier in Whyalla right now or someone looking for work, I'm confident with this announcement there will be some very good times ahead."
Across the next four years, the State Government says it has already committed to $145 million of capital works and maintenance in the Upper Spencer Gulf region and these projects are expected to create about 500 jobs.
Mr Koutsantonis said this new policy means a greater proportion of those jobs will go to workers in the Upper Spencer Gulf region, boosting the local economy.
"We have seen how successful this policy has been since it was implemented in Northern Adelaide and now we want to replicate those achievements in the Upper Spencer Gulf," Mr Koutsantonis said.
"There is a total of $145 million of large-scale projects being rolled out in the Upper Spencer Gulf in the next four years and we want as many local businesses as possible winning that work.
"There has been a lift in confidence in the Upper Spencer Gulf since the announcement that the Aurora solar thermal project will be constructed near Port Augusta, the purchase of Arrium by GFG Alliance, and Nyrstar’s redevelopment in Port Pirie.
"By having more local businesses involved in major projects we can build on those successes and support local jobs and economic growth in the region."