Briefcase: Business Snippets from around South Australia
In this week’s Briefcase, construction starts at Pelican Point, Fuller wins big for work with Australian Wine and the Adelaide Crows plus a new Adelaide Airport lounge opens.
Specialist dementia care unit opens in northern Adelaide
Fuller lands seven awards at Transform Awards ANZ
ENGIE begins construction on Pelican Point battery
Australia’s first independent domestic lounge to open in Adelaide
Consumer confidence hits four-year high
Charity home sells to support SA children
Eldercare acquires Findon retirement resort
Specialist dementia care unit opens in northern Adelaide
Bene Aged Care has opened Adelaide’s first Specialist Dementia Care Unit (SDCU) in St Agnes, with nine beds and a “person-centred approach” for individuals living with severe dementia.
Funded by the Albanese Government, the unit is staffed by a specially trained team to work with local health services, Dementia Support Australia, and the Department of Health to provide “tailored, evidence-based care”.
The first residents are expected to check into the SDCU this week, the service could potentially stabilise symptoms and reduce the need for intensive care or hospitalisation in the future.
“This new unit will offer a fresh approach to dementia care, setting a new benchmark for excellence in compassionate, evidence-based support,” Bene CEO Andrew McFarlane said.
You might like
Fuller lands top honours at Transform Awards ANZ
Independent marketing agency Fuller has claimed seven honours at the Transform Awards ANZ 2025 in Sydney, including a Gold for its visual identity work with Australian Wine.
The agency was praised for its work across brand identity, experience, internal communications and brand evolution, taking home one gold, three silver and three bronze awards.
Judges described the Australian Wine rebrand as “clever, effortless and timeless” and praised its clarity and memorability.
Fuller’s collaborative work with the Adelaide Crows Football Club received silver for Best Visual Identity in the Sports and Leisure Sector, silver for Best Brand Evolution (Consumer), and bronze for Best Brand Experience.
Additional bronzes went to Fuller for Best Visual Identity in the Energy and Utilities Sector for ElectraNet, and Best Corporate Rebrand Following a Merger or Acquisition for Esencia Wealth.
Managing director Will Fuller said the results reflect “the depth of creativity, strategy and craft” across the team and the power of “thoughtful, purpose-led branding.”
ENGIE begins construction on Pelican Point battery
ENGIE has started building a 200 MW / 400 MWh battery next to its Pelican Point gas-fired power station, aiming to boost grid flexibility and support South Australia’s transition to renewables.
The Pelican Point Battery Energy Storage System would be co-located with the 489 MW plant, which recently upgraded one of its units to an ‘open-cycle turbine for faster start-up and ramping’.
ENGIE said pairing storage with existing assets would speed the shift to clean energy while reducing environmental impacts.
The battery is projected to be operational in the back end of 2027 and would have the capacity to power more than 29,400 South Australian homes.
Approximately 250 jobs are forecast during construction, with ENGIE to commit up to $30,000 annually to a Community Benefit Fund for the life of the asset.
ENGIE ANZ Managing Director of Renewables and Batteries Laura Caspari said co-location projects “deliver reliable, flexible energy solutions at speed” and help create “future-ready energy hubs.”
Australia’s first independent domestic lounge to open in Adelaide
Plaza Premium Group (PPG) has officially opened the country’s only independent domestic airport lounge located in Adelaide Airport’s domestic terminal.
The lounge is open to all travellers regardless of airline or class, and would accompany PPG’s existing international lounge at Adelaide Airport.
Stay informed, daily
Guests would be greeted with South Australian-inspired design, local cuisine, barista-made coffee, wines from McLaren Vale, and a range of flexible work and relaxation spaces.
Founder and CEO Song Hoi-See said the new lounge reflected the company’s commitment to expand premium, accessible lounge experiences and enhance the journey for passengers travelling for work, leisure or home.
Adelaide Airport Managing Director Brenton Cox said the lounge provided a quiet and comfortable sanctuary moments from the vibrancy of the busy airport and supported the airport’s growth and expansion of domestic and international offerings.
PPG operates six lounges in Australia and will mark 10 years in the country in 2026.
Consumer confidence hits four-year high
Consumer confidence in South Australia has surged, with the latest BankSA State Monitor Survey reporting a jump of 6.9 points to 113.2, the highest result in four years.
The survey flagged recent interest rate cuts and the continued rise in residential property price in contributing to the lift in consumer confidence.
Business confidence remained steady at 116.3, above the long-term average and the 100-point threshold.
Confidence also rose across metro and rural areas, all genders, most age groups and all occupations, with local issues such as infrastructure investment, small business performance and the state economy, driving optimism.
Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis said the results reflected the state’s strong economic direction and record employment, adding that South Australia was again recognised as the best place in the nation to do business.
Charity home sells to support SA children
The Emerald Way Charity Home, The Amelie, has sold at auction for $975,000, with all proceeds going to Variety SA – The Children’s Charity that supports children who are sick, disadvantaged, or living with disability.
The Mount Barker double-storey home was created in memory of owner and director of Emerald Way Mount Barker Joe Belperio’s daughter, Amelie, who died at three years of age.
More than 30 South Australian businesses contributed to the project, including Urban Edge SA, which fully funded and built the home.
The auction was managed by Century 21 SA, who also led the marketing and fundraising efforts across SA.
“The funds raised will have a profound impact on SA families in need, from essential equipment to vital support services. This generosity truly changes lives,” Variety SA CEO Mark McGill said.
Eldercare acquires Findon retirement resort
Local aged care providers Eldercare have acquired the Livewell Communities’ luxury retirement village Aura in Findon, adding 131 apartments to its portfolio and lifting its total retirement living properties to 555.
Built in 2022 for $68 million, Aura consists of four four-storey buildings with one, two, and three-bedroom apartments that feature high-end finishes, modern appliances and spacious layouts.
The village has a heated pool and spa, golf simulator, fine-dining restaurant Allison’s Kitchen, a library, gold-class cinema, community garden, 24-hour concierge, GP and allied health services and two chauffeur-driven cars.
Chief executive Jane Pickering said the acquisition supported Eldercare’s strategic growth plan and commitment to deliver peace of mind to older South Australians.
She said the addition of Aura would strengthen the organisation’s retirement living offering in Adelaide’s western suburbs and provide residents with amenities designed to make retirement “as comfortable and convenient as possible.”
