Briefcase: Business Snippets from around South Australia
In this week’s Briefcase, construction begins on Port Adelaide townhouses and Uniqlo to refurbish its Rundle Mall site. Plus, the latest business events.
- Construction begins on Port Adelaide townhouses
- SA economy best in nation says ANZ
- Cooper’s expands DIY range
- Tasting Australia Spirit Awards entries open
- Adelaide Motorsport Festival announces accommodation partner
- South Australian gamers to showcase at international conference
- Matthews Architects celebrates 50 years in business
- UNIQLO announces refurbishment of Rundle Mall store
- Affordable housing site officially opened
- Sparc Hydrogen awarded government grant
Construction begins on Port Adelaide townhouses
Construction of the $286 million Dock One North development at a former Port Adelaide industrial area has commenced, with the first 22 townhouses presold before dirt was turned.
The development will eventually grow to 128 townhouses and 272 apartments, with views south and west over the Port River.
Developer Kite Projects is handling the development with builder Metricon.
“Dock One North, with its architecturally designed homes, waterfront promenade and landscaped open spaces and boulevard has really struck a chord with buyers,” Kite Projects managing director Damon Nagel said.
SA economy best in nation says ANZ
South Australia’s economy was a ‘standout performer’ in ANZ’s Stateometer Report for this year’s first quarter.
The report is based on a set of indicators that measure economic performance, showing annual growth relative to each state or territory’s trend growth rate.
The report considers a range of indicators including in the consumer, business, housing, labour, and trade sectors. South Australia registered far above the trends with an “accelerating” economy.
ANZ attributed South Australia’s success to its “tight labour market conditions”, noting increased consumption and investment in South Australia as a reason for its economic growth.
The report also highlighted that there are a record 975,000 South Australians employed, which is 11,200 more than last month.
South Australia also registered the strongest rise in hours worked nationwide, while inflation fell below the national average.
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“In this term of Government, thousands more jobs have been created for South Australians with a record number now employed,” said acting Premier Susan Close.
Cooper’s expands DIY range
Budget conscious homebrewers can now enjoy two alternatives to beer with Cooper’s new range, which includes a ginger beer and an apple cider.
“You can now brew a great tasting Coopers Ginger Beer and Apple Cider at home for less than $1 a stubbie,” Cooper’s Brewing Products marketing manager Scott Harris said.
The Australian six generation family company expanded its offerings after the success of its DIY ales, lager, and stout.
The Ginger Beer can be made non-alcoholic or 3.5 per cent ABV, with notes of zesty ginger and spices. The cider is a light, sparkling apple flavour with a 3.5 per cent ABV.
The new range is available at DIYBeer.com or in store at Big W and select Dan Murphy’s stores.
Tasting Australia Spirit Awards entries open
Entries for the renowned Tasting Australia Spirit Awards are currently open until Monday, August 11.
The awards, which started in 2018, give distillers the chance to submit their products into 11 award categories and to receive feedback on their products and tasting notes from a range of industry experts, led by the head judge Tim Boast from South Australia’s Never Never Distilling Co.
“It’s an opportunity for distillers to not only gain deserved recognition for their products, but to connect and learn from other distillers. It truly is a celebration of the industry and the amazing producers in our country”, Boast said.
The winners will be announced in August with the awards ceremony in September, which will take place in Adelaide.
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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. Wine Tech Meetup: The French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI), alongside SA AgriTech Meetup, is bringing the Wine Tech Meetup to Adelaide on July 22, 2025. Digital Adelaide 2025: Digital Adelaide is returning to the Adelaide Oval for a two-day event, running from July 30 to July 31. 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. EuroMix 2025: The French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with nine other European Chambers, is bringing together key European players in Australia for this unique event on 28 August. 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. |
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Adelaide Motorsport Festival announces accommodation partner
After being the naming-rights sponsor of the Adelaide Marriott Grand Marquee last year, the Adelaide Marriott Hotel has officiated its partnership with the Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival and Shannons Adelaide Rally in 2025 and 2026 after signing on as the official accommodation partner.
The Marriott, which opened in 2024 on King William Road, provides a central location for the increasing amount of interstate and international entrants and attendees of the events.
The Shannons Adelaide Rally is one of the largest tarmac rallies in the world with over 450 cars and 900 entrants set to drive closed-road stages in and around Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills across November 21 to 23. The Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival is held at the Victoria Park section of the Adelaide Street Circuit, set for late February next year.
South Australian gamers to showcase at international conference
South Australia will have its own stand at the Australian pavilion of Gamescom, the world’s largest video game trade fair. The annual event, which takes place in Cologne, Germany and attracts over 300,000 attendees, will give South Australian game developers a high-profile space to showcase their work.
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The South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) will select eight game developers to be given a travel grant, conference passes, and a stage to showcase their work to a range of publishers, distributors, gamers, and media from all around the world.
The stand will also provide an international showcase for the SAFC’s SA Game Exhibition event, which had 3000 attendees experience the best of South Australian video games at Adelaide studios this year.
Applications are now open via the SAFC website.
Matthews Architects celebrates 50 years in business
Award winning architecture and interior design studio Matthews Architects is celebrating their 50th year in business. What started in 1975 by architect Barry Matthews in a modest room within the current building, is now a highly respected North Adelaide firm.
Gerald Matthews, who is the son of the founder as well as Managing Director and Senior Architect, oversees the team of 16 employees who have led a diverse range of projects including CMI Toyota, 170 Frome Street, St Peter’s College Big Quad Redevelopment, Ngutu College, Walford Anglican School for Girls, Sutherland Apartments and Tynte Street Apartments.
Matthews’ attributes the firm’s long-term success to its ability to adapt to the ever-changing business environment. The firm has undergone a range of transformations over the past five decades, both in changing technologies, and in their management.
“Architecture has undergone a profound transformation. The tools of our trade are different and there are more tools available. We’ve seen an explosion in technological capabilities which are fundamentally changing how we conceive, design, and even construct buildings. Buildings are more complex, and attention to detail is even more important,” Matthews said.
“Reaching our 50th anniversary is a testament to the dedication, talent, and passion of our team”.
UNIQLO announces refurbishment of Rundle Mall store
The Japanese retailer’s Rundle Mall refurbishment will feature an additional floor to make room for their expanded LifeWear range.
“Thanks to the amazing support from our beloved customers in Adelaide, we are delighted to announce the expansion of our Rundle Mall store,” said CEO Fuminori Adachi.
“Since the recent opening of our third store in South Australia at Burnside village in May…we are excited to continue expanding our retail footprint and bring LifeWear to even more customers in Adelaide.”
Construction is set to begin on Tuesday, July 1, with the existing store remaining open.
Affordable housing site officially opened
A former public housing site on Henley Beach Road has been transformed into 70 modern, sustainable apartments and townhouses by Unity Housing. Construction of the site, which is a part of the Henley Beach South ‘Coast’ Project, was completed in May.
The mixed housing development replaced the 52 public housing flats which were built in 1957. They will provide much needed affordable rental accommodation to the Henley Beach community.
The housing site, which is part of Unity Housing’s partnership with the South Australian Housing Trust, meets supported Disability Accommodation “Improved Liveability” standards. The sustainable site also features 700 solar panels, car chargers, open green community space and street landscaping.
“Our $48 million development is not just housing – it is also about strengthening the fabric of the community, reflecting the character and needs of the neighbourhood and delivering high quality, affordable homes that foster connection, dignity, and opportunity,” said Unity Housing CEO Matthew Woodward.
Sparc Hydrogen awarded government grant
Sparc Hydrogen has been awarded its second successful grant application under Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) grant program.
Sparc Hydrogen, which is a partnership between Sparc Technologies and the University of Adelaide, has been developing a novel green hydrogen production technology since 2022. The technology removes the reliance on solar and wind farms and expensive electrolysers, to produce green hydrogen from water.
The funding will go towards the construction of Sparc Hydrogen’s pilot plant at the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy Campus, as well as the commercialisation of their hydrogen production process.
Commercialisation of the technology could help Australia drive the emerging green hydrogen industry.
The funding “builds on Sparc’s track record of success under the AEA program and highlights our commitment to working with Australian universities to develop and commercialise novel technologies,” said Sparc Managing Director, Nick O’Loughlin.
