Briefcase: Business snippets from a defence project to record airport numbers
In this week’s Briefcase, a South Australian seafood business wins a national award, and a gas giant’s profits have fallen.
- Defence and critical infrastructure project launches
- Record passengers at Adelaide Airport
- SA oil giant profits fall
- Real estate company acquires Hills location
- Groundbreaking on $50 million Outer Harbour precinct
- SA seafood business wins national award
- Motor Trade Association celebrates 100 years
Defence and critical infrastructure project launches
A new project to enhance protective security across defence and critical infrastructure has been launched in South Australia.
The Accelerating Protective Security Capability for Defence and Critical Infrastructure Industries project brings together Aus3C, Adelaide University, Flinders University, and other major defence organisations together to explore new approaches to protective security resilience.
The project has received $270,000 through the Defence Innovation Partnership’s Collaborative Research Fund, with partner contributions bringing the total project value to nearly $800,000.
“Protective security is becoming increasingly important as organisations navigate a more complex threat environment spanning cyber security, information security and workforce resilience,” Defence Innovation Partnership director Sumen Rai said.
Record passengers at Adelaide Airport
Adelaide Airport has broken its record for most travellers passing through its terminal with 9.15 million visitors in the 12 months to June 30.
International passenger numbers increased 20 per cent to 1.24 million, while domestic and regional travellers increased 2.8 per cent to 7.91 million.
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Countries with the highest number of international visitors include China, India, Singapore, New Zealand, Malaysia and the UK.
SA gas giant profits fall
Net profit after tax for South Australian gas giant Beach Energy was down 21 per cent in the 2026 financial year to $354 million.
This was despite a 7 per cent uplift in the average gas price to $11.5/GJ.
Beach Energy managing director Brett Woods said FY26 was a “year of execution for Beach”.
“Beach enters FY27 with strong momentum and an owner’s mindset. We have built a resilient base business and will remain disciplined in execution and capital deployment.”
Real estate company acquires Hills location
Real estate company TOOP+TOOP has acquired Belle Property Adelaide Hills to strengthen its presence in the Hills region.
The company has also established a new office in Stirling and welcomed property specialist Phil Crowder to the TOOP+TOOP team to strengthen community connection in the Adelaide Hills.
TOOP+TOOP owner Bronte Manuel said the Adelaide Hills region was an “important part” of the business.
“Our team has represented some remarkable homes and worked with generations of local families across the region, so establishing a permanent home in Stirling feels like the right next step,” Manuel said.
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Groundbreaking on $50m Flinders Ports precinct
Construction has commenced on the new $50 million Outer Harbor Intermodal Precinct as part of a major investment in SA’s logistics capability and trade infrastructure.
The investment builds on $300 million of recent investment by Flinders Port Holdings (FPH) to enhance containerised and bulk cargo handling at Outer Harbor.
The precinct is situated adjacent to the Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal and will bring storage, packing and rail interfaces together to support a more efficient containerised supply chain.
“The Outer Harbor Intermodal Precinct is an investment in the next generation of South Australia’s trade infrastructure, designed to make the movement of containerised freight more efficient, reliable and competitive,” FPH CEO Stewart Lammin said.
SA seafood business wins national award
South Australian premium tinned seafood producer Little Tin Co has been named the winner of the 2026 National Seafood Industry Small Business Award.
The award honours businesses that employ fewer than ten people for their excellence in business growth, product quality, innovation, marketing and contribution to Australia’s seafood industry.
Little Tin Co produces its tins in SA from Australian seafood including sardines, kingfish and mussels.
“If this award helps shine a spotlight on our industry, encourages more people to choose Australian seafood, or inspires other producers to explore value-added products, then that’s something we’re incredibly proud to be part of,” Little Tin Co. founder Dan Weeks said.
Motor Trade Association celebrates 100 years
The Motor Trade Association (MTA) of SA and the NT celebrated its 100th year of automotive excellence last month at SkyCity Adelaide.
The SA garage proprietors first opened the Garage Proprietors and Petrol Retailers Association of South Australia on Grenfell Street in 1926.
In 2026, MTA Training and Employment trains more than 1100 automotive apprentices across South Australia, as well as directly employing 450 automotive apprentices through its group training organisation.
“One hundred years ago, a small group of garage proprietors gathered on Grenfell Street with a shared, simple purpose: to protect their livelihoods and stand as a united front. Those founders could never have imagined where that decision would lead,” MTA SA/NT chair Mark McGuire said.
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