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Deputy mayors Brett Benbow (Portt Augusta), Leon Stephens (Port Pirie) and Jenny Barnes (Whyalla) with chief executive officers John Banks (Port Augusta) and Andrew Johnson (Port Pirie) during the launch of the ‘Transforming the Upper Spencer Gulf’ report in Whyalla.
The City of Whyalla has committed to working with Port Augusta and Port Pirie to transition the region’s economy and communities.
Deputising for Mayor Lyn Breuer, Deputy Mayor Jenny Barnes attended the launch of the ‘Transforming the Upper Spencer Gulf’ report with other Upper Spencer Gulf leaders this week in Whyalla.
The report, revealed on Tuesday in the City of Whyalla chambers, detailed the priorities for the Upper Spencer Gulf and identifies 30 strategic initiatives to help pave the way for transition of the region’s economy and communities.
Some of the key initiatives of particular interest to Whyalla include a focus on renewable energy; defence; event, cultural and marine tourism; and mining.
Deputy Mayor Barnes said that to secure the future of the whole region, the three cities must keep working together.
“For example, we know the three cities all have potential to grow in areas such as renewable energy, defence industries; event and marine tourism,” Deputy Mayor Barnes said.
“We need to keep working together to make sure we generate more benefit across our whole region than we ever could by working on our own or by competing against each other.”
Port Pirie Deputy Mayor Leon Stephens said the opportunities for the three cities are huge, with many starting to gain traction.
“As the future of our three Upper Spencer Gulf Cities gains more certainty, we can’t afford to be complacent,” he said.
“We must continue to actively promote the region’s potential to grow and diversify across a range of sectors.
“Our priorities focus on transformation of the Upper Spencer Gulf to cleaner, more innovative, liveable and economically diverse regional cities.”
Mr Stephens explained that while securing the future of the smelter, steelworks and a new solar thermal powerstation are major boosts for the region, all three cities need to look at other opportunities that will leverage further investment and economic growth.
Port Augusta’s Deputy Mayor Brett Benbow also highlighted the importance of skills and infrastructure in transitioning and diversifying the regional economy.
“We need to improve access to higher education and training in our region to support these emerging sectors and make sure we have the strategic infrastructure to secure our role as a transport intermodal hub,” he said.
“That includes expanding existing, under-utilised port facilities in Port Pirie and Whyalla and an alternative national highway crossing of the gulf at Port Augusta.
“Ultimately this is about strengthening the role of Pt Pirie, Whyalla and Pt Augusta as regional centres, improving business and community confidence and making sure our three cities are places people want to come and live, work and visit.”
Download and read the full report here:
