Briefcase: Business snippets from a landmark gas agreement to prime development site hitting market
In this week’s Briefcase, a Mount Barker development breaks ground and a 24/7 golf facility opens in the Barossa.
- Work starts on Mount Barker residential development
- State government secures gas agreement
- 24/7 golf facility opens in Barossa
- SA Women nominated for agricultural awards
- Development site hits the market
Work starts on Mount Barker residential development
Construction on the $180 million Mount Barker residential development Senses has started, with 254 new homes planned.
Initial civil construction on roads, services and earthworks for the development’s reserves is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
Housing construction is expected to commence in late 2026 by home builders Fairmont, Simonds, Henley, Weeks and Metricon.
“We are attracting a wide range of buyers including first homebuyers, growing families and downsizers, which will create a diverse and cohesive community,” Senses project director Anthony Andolfatto said.
State government secures gas agreement
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The state government has secured a deal that would see Santos gas currently sold overseas to instead remain in SA for industrial use to secure the Whyalla Steelworks’ future.
A state government announcement said the SA Strategic Gas Reserve would see Santos supply 20 petajoules of gas annually for 10 years from 2030, taking the state’s annual gas supply to more than 80 petajoules.
It claimed the agreement would assist the transition of the Whyalla Steelworks into a low-emission facility and would be “pivotal” for potential steelworks buyers.
It also allows for the transition to gas-driven Direct Reduced Iron and steelmaking, with expectations this would reduce emissions by an estimated 50 per cent annually.
“We have secured the steelworks, we are seeing the first work towards a vital magnetite mine expansion and now we have secured the gas that will underpin the whole operation well into the future,” Premier Peter Malinauskas said.
24/7 golf facility opens in Barossa
The Barossa Valley has unveiled its only 24/7 indoor golf training facility, with The Nest Golf Studio officially opening.
The facility utilises Trackman iO simulator technology which combines radar, infrared and high-speed imaging to deliver real ball and club data.
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Nest Golf Studio co-founder Rashelle Eastwood claimed the technology would provide a “serious” training space as opposed to an entertainment venue.
“There’s a lot of shift workers and new dads and retirees who just can’t walk 18 holes a day, especially in the heat or the cold winter,” Eastwood said.
SA Women nominated for agricultural awards
Three South Australian women have been named finalists in the 2026 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, which celebrates exceptional leadership and innovation from women across rural and regional industries.
Narelle Zanker and Kelly Kuhn from Mannum and Hayley Hancock from McLaren Vale have won a spot in the running to receive a $15,000 Westpac grant to support their initiatives.
Zanker is a dairy farmer and educator who co-founded Dairy Adventures, Kuhn has built two environmental tourism ventures Juggle House Experiences and River Murray Dark Sky Tours.
Hancock has co-founded Insurable which provides insurance protecting farmers from unpredictable natural events.
The SA winner will be announced on May 5, and the national winner, which will be announced in September, will receive $20,000.
“I congratulate Narelle, Kelly, Hayley and Toni for their outstanding achievements and for the real difference they are making in our rural communities,” Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven said.
Development site hits the market
A Fleurieu Peninsula development site with approval for a wellness facility with residential suites is now up for sale.
The property at 5 Fringe-Lily Place in Chiton has substantial landholding at 15,341 square metres and would join the surrounding Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre and Fleurieu Health and Wellbeing Precinct.
It is positioned 80 kilometres south of Adelaide along the main coastal corridor linking Mount Compass, Port Elliot and Victor Harbor.
“The property benefits from development approval for a mixed-use health precinct incorporating residential accommodation, but with flexible zoning it provides versatility for alternative uses including health care, education, childcare, and community facilities,” Knight Frank agent Harrison Grice said.
