Briefcase: Business Snippets from around South Australia
In this week’s Briefcase, the TDU smashes records and meat producers win big internationally. Plus, the latest business events.
- Record economic impact from Tour Down Under
- Barton Gold secures $3m for drilling project
- First grads from UniSA defence and space MBA
- Nominations open for SA Premier’s Business and Export Awards
- SA meat producers win big on the global stage
- SA exports to EU grow to $1bn
- Horticulture sector leaders honoured
- Krix launches ‘most powerful home cinema subwoofer to date’
- Childcare centre sells for nearly $7 million
- ACCC flags Elders acquisition
Record economic impact from Tour Down Under
The 2025 Santos Tour Down Under generated record-breaking revenue, adding $62.5 million to South Australia’s economy.
The event, which ran from January 17-26, also created the equivalent of 488 full-time jobs.
With the race drawing 807,000 spectators, it boasts the biggest fan turnout since 2018.
“It’s clear this celebration continues to deliver for our state: boosting the visitor economy, filling hotel rooms and sharing South Australian stories with a huge international audience,” Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said.
The Santos Tour Down Under women’s race is also gaining traction, seeing a 12 per cent increase in fan attendance since 2024.
Routes for the 2026 event are set to be shared within the coming months.
Barton Gold secures $3m for drilling project
Adelaide’s Barton Gold has received firm commitment to raise $3 million to accelerate its Tunkilla drilling program in South Australia.
Precious metals-focused investment groups, family offices and sophisticated investors led the raise.
“With $9 million cash on hand after this placement, and a $12 million track record of continuing asset monetisation initiatives, Barton is very well capitalised to deliver key high-value project milestones during the coming year,” Barton managing director Alexander Scanlon said.
First grads from UniSA defence and space MBA
The first cohort of a specialist defence and space sector program has graduated from the University of South Australia.
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Students from the institution’s Global Executive MBA in Defence and Space completed the customised 18-month program which is aiming to address skills gaps in cyber security, space systems, geopolitics and defence procurement.
The University partnered with the University of Exeter (UK) and Carnegie Mellon University (US) to deliver the program.
The next cohort will commence at Adelaide University in 2026.
Nominations open for SA Premier’s Business and Export Awards
South Australian businesses can now enter the SA Business Chamber and State Government’s Premier’s Business and Export Awards.
The Awards – now in their third year – recognise the contribution of local businesses to the state’s social, environmental and economic success.
This year, two new categories have been introduced: the First Nations Exporter award and the Workplace Culture and Wellbeing Award.
“The feedback from the finalists has been that the night was a celebration beyond their expectations and that they have benefitted from this acknowledgement in their marketing and communications,” SA Business Chamber CEO Andrew Kay said.
SA meat producers win big on the global stage
South Australian smallgoods producers have won big at the DVF Quality International Competition for Sausages and Ham 2025, hosted as part of IFFA – the world’s largest trade fair for the meat industry.
There were 19 Platinum Awards for Australian producers, with plenty secured by SA-based companies including Barossa Fine Foods which one three Platinum Awards.
The full list of SA Platinum Award winners:
- Wintulichs Smallgoods (for its Streaky Bacon)
- Tendawrap Butchers (for its Dry Cured Maple Bacon)
- Rollbusch Quality Meats Barmera (for its Maple Cured Mallee Smoked Boneless Ham)
- Skara Smallgoods (for its Proscuitto)
- Mike’s Beef Jerky and Specialty Meats (for its Black Pepper Flavoured Beef Jerky)
- Barossa Fine Foods (for its Gourpet Presswurtst, Roasted Meatloaf and Smoked Wagyu)
Australian Meat Industry Council general manager for smallgoods Oliver Stankovski said the results speak volumes about the quality of products made by independent butchers and smallgoods makers.
“These awards not only reflect the exceptional standards of our local industry but also demonstrate the global competitiveness of Australian-made meat products. We’re incredibly proud to support and promote these businesses and have them recognised for their hard work on the world stage,” he said.
Along with 19 Platinum Award winners, Australian producers received 119 Gold Medals, 135 Silver Medals and 72 Bronze Medals.
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| SA: State Budget Lunch: The Property Council’s State Budget Lunch, a highlight on the organisation’s events calendar, will be held on June 11 at Adelaide Oval.
The 3rd Australian Space Cyber Forum: The third Australian Space Cyber Forum comes to the Adelaide Convention Centre on June 23 and June 24, 2025. The 19th Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference: AWITC is heading to Adelaide from July 20 to 23, 2025. Held every three years since 1970, this event is a key technical forum for the Australian wine industry. Australia-ASEAN Business Forum 2025: Adelaide is set to host the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum on August 26 and 27, 2025, welcoming over 750 senior delegates, including diplomatic officials, investors, and commercial leaders from the Southeast Asian region. Foresight Community of Practice Gathering: Join the Foresight Community of Practice Gathering at MOD. on June 12, 2025. This event welcomes the new SA Water Visiting Futurist, Vaughn Tan, during his four-week residency. Gala Dinner – South Australian Premier’s Business and Export Awards: The South Australian Business Chamber and the Government of South Australia are hosting the Gala Dinner for the South Australian Premier’s Business and Export Awards at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday, August 29, 2025. |
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SA exports to EU grow to $1bn
The European Union is South Australia’s latest billion-dollar export market, after exports to the market grew by 22 per cent over the past year.
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ABS data showed SA exports to the EU jumped by $183 million to March 2025, with the region joining China, the US and India as export markets worth more than $1 billion to the state.
“It’s incredibly encouraging to see our state’s exports to the EU continue to grow, and to now top the $1 billion mark – the diversification efforts of our government are paying dividends,” Trade and Investment minister Joe Szakacs said.
Horticulture sector leaders honoured
The Winners of the 2025 Premier’s Horticulture Awards for Excellence have been announced at a gala dinner held at the National Wine Centre.
The winners of the 2025 Premier’s Awards for Excellence were:
- Darren Rathjen, Delta Produce, Grower of the Year (proudly sponsored by Peats Soil)
- Paul Cafcakis, Cafcakis Nominees Pty Ltd, Young Grower of the Year (proudly sponsored by the SA Produce Market)
- Peter Wadewitz, Peats Soil and Garden, Lifetime Achievement Award (proudly awarded by AUSVEG SA)
- LawrieCo Next Generation Fertiliser, Industry Impact Award (proudly sponsored by William Buck)
- Austin Reid, Rural Business Support, Researcher or Advisor of the Year (proudly sponsored by Corteva Agriscience)
- Lam Phan, H & L Hydroponics, Women in Horticulture Award (proudly sponsored by the Department of Primary Industry and Regions SA)
- Domenic Cavallaro, Cavallaro Horticultural Services Pty Ltd Biosecurity Award (proudly sponsored by the Department of Primary Industry and Regions SA)
AUSVEG SA CEO Jordan Brooke-Barnett said the 10th anniversary of the Awards was a significant milestone.
“Our industry continues to adapt and lead with passion, and this year’s award recipients exemplify the strength and determination that drives South Australia’s $3 billion vegetable industry,” Brooke-Barnett said.
Krix launches ‘most powerful home cinema subwoofer to date’
South Australian loudspeaker manufacturer Krix has launched its newest home cinema subwoofer: the UCX-218.
The company claims the sub is its “most powerful… to date”, and has been designed with a bass experience that’s visceral and loud.
“The UCX-218 is more than just a subwoofer,” managing director Gary Krix said.
“It’s a statement of our commitment to deliver precision engineering and exceptional sound experiences for home theatres and cinemas alike.”
For more information, head here.
Childcare centre sells for nearly $7 million
A childcare centre at Seaford Heights has sold off-market for $6.92 million.
The building – leased to Early Edge Learning – is 30km south of the Adelaide CBD in the midst of a growing residential centre where more than 1100 new homes are planned.
“This transaction underscores the depth of buyer demand for quality early learning assets with secure lease covenants,” Cushman & Wakefield’s Sam Alexander said.
“Investors are actively seeking opportunities with long leases, fixed rental growth, and nationally recognised tenants – and this property ticked all of those boxes.”
ACCC flags Elders acquisition
Elders’ proposed acquisition of Delta Agribusiness has captured the attention of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which said it had preliminary concerns the deal could “lead to higher prices or reduced quality in the supply of rural merchandise”.
Delta Agribusiness offers advisory services to regional Australian businesses, and ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said both companies were “significant retail suppliers of rural merchandise in Australia”.
“The ACCC’s preliminary view is that the proposed acquisition is likely to substantially lessen competition in the retail supply of rural merchandise in certain local markets in the North- West Victoria, Northern Wheatbelt (WA), Central Wheatbelt (WA), Great Southern (WA) and Murray-Mallee (SA) regions,” the ACCC said.
Elders said it would engage constructively with the ACCC to address the issues expressed.
“Elders remains confident that the transaction will bring benefits to local agricultural markets through the expansion of price-competitive private label options, increased technical expertise and greater product and service offerings for farmers,” Elders said.
