Feature
Issue No. 13 - October/November 2003
The New North
How the Northern Region is Becoming the Economic Heartland of the South Australian Economy
“…the northern region, centred on Salisbury, is one of the State’s key economic pulses.”
Salisbury is changing. Everywhere you look, there are signs of growth and development and the blossoming economic strength of the northern region. The north is no longer emerging; it is consolidating its position as a key player in the South Australian economy.
If the City of Adelaide is the State’s administrative heart, then the northern region, centred on Salisbury must be one of the State’s key economic pulses. The Salisbury council area is experiencing significant growth, in both development and economic importance.
Salisbury has become a recognised national leader in the defence, electronics and technology industries as well as a centre for manufacturing plants, factories, distribution outlets and warehousing. It is increasingly acknowledged as a good place to do business and employment opportunities are now available in everything from production line, retail, information technology and defence sciences.
The area’s growing economic potential is not going unnoticed by the State’s political leaders. Premier Mike Rann said he had seen massive changes in Salisbury.
“We have seen the development of Technology Park, Mawson Lakes, and the new Edinburgh Park industrial development in which a cluster of high tech defence companies are being established," he said.
“With these key developments has come thousands more jobs, many in high—skilled areas and more community facilities.
“Salisbury has become one of the State’s fastest growing industrial and commercial hubs and its importance as an economic force cannot be underestimated.
“In the past few years, Salisbury has become a more vibrant community with increased levels of pride, more local job opportunities and economic benefits.”
Professor Dick Blandy, who was commissioned by South Australia Business Vision 2010 to propose an economic blueprint fo...
