Members of the Spencer Gulf Cities (SGC) Group include Port Pirie Mayor and SGC Chair Leon Stephens (left); Port Augusta Mayor Linley Shine; and Whyalla Mayor Phill Stone.

Spencer Gulf Cities - updates

Whyalla City Council and Mayor Phill Stone are key members of the Spencer Gulf Cities (SGC) group, which advocates on behalf of the region by providing a united voice to government, industry and other stakeholders in the interest of improving the long-term sustainability of the region.

The SGC group has issued several updates recently, including pitching the region’s election priorities to the Federal candidates for Grey; as well as providing an update on its work with the intergovernmental group chaired by Minister for Energy and Mining Tom Koutsantonis.

In relation to the intergovernmental group, Mayor Stone welcomed the partnership approach being adopted between all levels of government.

“The ongoing presence of various government agencies in Whyalla is providing tremendous confidence to our community, confirming that we are all in this recovery together and we all recognise that it will be a long process with lots of small wins along the way.”

You can read the updates – as well as the SGC Federal Election Statement – below.

SGC Federal Election - Grey candidates' session - 26 April 2025

The Spencer Gulf Cities (SGC) Mayors comprising Whyalla, Port Pirie and Port Augusta Councils have adopted a Federal Election Statement that was the subject of discussions with the Candidates of our Seat of Grey at a recent session.

In adopting the Statement, the SGC’s recognised the importance of partnering with the Federal Government and the newly elected Member for Grey.

The SGC Federal Election Statement summarises key information about our communities and calls on funding support for specific projects or initiatives in each Council area. Key asks from the SGC Mayors of the next Member for Grey and the Federal Government are:

Establishing stronger intergovernmental partnerships through forming an SGC/Federal Government Intergovernmental Group chaired by a key Federal Minister and meeting at least twice a year. This Group will keep under review strategic issues for our Councils and region and monitor progress;

• Supporting housing developments across the region, including offsetting development costs, including augmentation;
• Maintaining current Federal Government programs in region and our Uni Hub and ensuring future grant offerings are region specific;
• Co-designing of social services to meet the region’s needs that are culturally appropriate;
• Addressing the childcare needs described as the worse in the nation in our Seat of Grey;
• Reverting to the 80% Federal Government and 20% State Government funding contributions for major highways that previously existed;
• Continuing to support RDAs, First Nation enterprises, tourism operators and ensuring infrastructure supports growth in our region;
• Addressing environmental management, including progress towards net zero, strong community engagement in any discussions around nuclear energy and addressing waste management issues relevant to our region’s industrial developments

The document also includes key projects and initiatives proposed by the Port Pirie, Whyalla and Port Augusta Councils covering areas such as infrastructure, tourism, aged care, precinct developments, childcare centres, liveability and railway infrastructure.

Access the Statement here!

Candidates Tom Venning (Liberal), Karin Bolton (Labor), Anita Kuss (Independent), Laurie Bais (Trumpet of Patriots), Brandon Turton (One Nation), Peter Borda (Nationals) were present with apologies given by Kathryn Hardwick-Franco (Greens) who provided a written statement after the event. Attempts were made to contact the Family First candidate Kylie Evans through her Party’s general contact email.

Mayor Stephens as Chair of the SGC said:

“We recognise that we need to partner with our Federal Government to deliver the proposals, projects and initiatives in our Council areas and region. We prepared our Federal Election Statement to make sure they were aware of what’s important to our region and communities. The Session gave the Candidates ample time to respond to the issues and projects raised in the Statement. It was interesting to see them as a group responding to our Statement and reflecting their views, concerns and knowledge of our issues. We thank them for taking the time to address us.”

USG Intergovernmental Group Meeting - 22 April 2025

The Upper Spencer Gulf Intergovernmental Group (USGIG) chaired by Minister Koutsantonis (representing the Premier) with members including the Mayors/CEOs of the Whyalla, Port Pire and Port Augusta Councils and Local regional MPs met in Port Augusta recently to progress key strategic growth and recovery issues in the region.

The meeting included an update from John Chapman who is Co-ordinating the implementation of the Federal/State Government Support Package with a particular focus on grants for contractors impacted by the administration of the Steel Works. The take up of grants and supports were pleasing and the Mayors agreed to get the message out about the support package for those businesses in Port Pirie and Port Augusta who may not realise that if they were contracting to GFG they may well qualify for support.

The two advisory groups formed by the USGIG also provided updates on:

Workforce & Skills

• the uptake of counselling, advisory, training and skills development for displaced workers
• progress with the formation of the Jobs and Skills Hub with the decision shortly of the Regional Manager as a result of recent interviews of potential in-region candidates
• support being provided to displaced apprentices and trainees to transfer to new employers and/or complete their current training
• update on the increasing student numbers in TAFE training, particularly influenced by the reduction in class sizes and new initiatives to target specific skills needs in the region
• the conduct of a recent Workforce Summit targeted at the Health Care Sectors and the up coming Heavy Industry Workforce Summit in June (being held for the third year)

Housing

• the work being undertaken to support projects targeted as “short term” due to the progress with their developments
• the demand profile which was potentially impacted by the take-up of local housing and the use of tourism accommodation by projects and developers
• government support through the Office of Regional Housing to support projects with committed long term leasing and financial offsets
• the need to address key water infrastructure, particularly in light of the preparation of the next regulatory funding bid by SA Water to ESCOSA
• the cost of builds in the region out-pacing valuations and potential sale values and the impact this is having on some projects gaining financial support
• student accommodation and short-term needs for professionals working in the region required further work to quantify the actual needs

Port Pirie Mayor Leon Stephens said that “the meeting was a great opportunity to gain an update on the implementation of the Whyalla Support Package and the tremendous collaboration that is occurring between governments, including specific support from our Councils as they continue to support their communities. The Minister provided useful insights into government decision making processes and the importance of early engagement in key projects, particularly where funding support is being sought”.

“These meetings give us a chance to reinforce the impact on what’s happening with the Steelworks on the region as a whole. I was pleased that the Minister and the government are keeping a line of sight on these broader impacts and welcome the insights of all the Mayors. Having these frank and open discussions are critical in getting the balance right between the economic and social impacts on our communities”, said Port Augusta Mayor Linley Shine.

Whyalla Mayor Phil Stone said “we welcome the partnership approach being adopted by the State and Federal governments. We are playing our part in spreading the message of support available to everyone impacted by the Steelworks whether they be employers, contractors, workers or prospective workers. The ongoing presence of various government agencies in Whyalla is providing tremendous confidence to our community confirming that we are all in this recovery together and we all recognise that it will be a long process with lots of small wins along the way”.

Minister for Energy and Mining Tom Koutsantonis said, “The Malinauskas Labor Government remains steadfast in our commitment to the Upper Spencer Gulf and supporting the region’s workers and businesses. This group enables those on the ground to receive vital updates on the $2.4 billion package being rolled out to save Whyalla Steelworks, delivered in partnership with the Albanese Labor Government.”