Pictured at the announcement with Premier Peter Malinauskas was Mayor Phill Stone, Minister Don Farrell, Member for Giles Eddie Hughes, Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club representatives, Council CEO Justin Commons and Council members.
Funding continues to flow for Whyalla
30 January 2025
The State Government has once again demonstrated its commitment to Whyalla’s success, announcing almost $7 million in funding for a new Whyalla Foreshore Centre and assistance for workers impacted by job losses at the mines and steelworks.
Premier Peter Malinauskas today announced $5 million for the new centre – fully funding the facility, which will incorporate the Surf Life Saving Club, café, kiosk and the possibility of other tenants – as well as a $1.5 million workforce package for redundant miners and steelworkers; plus $100,000 for design options for the cuttlefish dive site to improve safety and accessibility.
This comes on top of his earlier announcement of $13.8 million to contribute to the airport runway upgrade, plus almost $20 million from the Federal Government for foreshore and airport upgrades.
Mayor Phill Stone said he “simply could not ask for a better start to the year” than $40 million in state and federal government funding for major community projects and support.
“This is the third announcement of significant funding in two days, once again demonstrating the power of behind-the-scenes collaboration between local, state and federal government to achieve fantastic outcomes for our community,” Mayor Stone said.
“This will enable upgrades not seen in a generation, all while minimising any impact on ratepayers, which is a fantastic outcome.
“To also prioritise programs and training for those who have lost their jobs shows the Premier and his government truly care about the community and getting us back on our feet in the short-term, while also investing in our future.”
Premier Malinauskas said the government would continue to work closely with council, the Federal Government and the community to navigate the current challenging period, while planning for the major opportunities on the horizon.
“We are doing all we can to ensure Whyalla is in the best possible position to seize the opportunities of the future,” he said.
Mayor Stone said there was now more than $13 million dedicated to the development of the foreshore between the state and federal governments, council and Surf Life Saving SA.
“The community has been waiting for significant investment in the foreshore and they’re now in for developments the likes of which I don’t expect to see again in my lifetime!
“Residents will see extensive activity across the area for the next few years, and the final result will be well worth the wait.”
Similar to yesterday’s splash and play plaza funding announcement, Mayor Stone paid tribute to the hard work of council staff in demonstrating why this project should be funded ahead of hundreds of other worthy applicants across the state.
“There’s a huge behind-the-scenes effort to secure this funding, so I’d like to congratulate our employees on ensuring another amazing outcome for Whyalla,” he said.
“I’d also like to once again thank the community for giving this project clear direction, ensuring it reflects what they ultimately want their foreshore to look and feel like.”