As the South Australian Business Chamber has long argued, the NAIS has the potential to be a game changing infrastructure project on the northern flank of Adelaide where the Northern Connector is under construction and recent changes to planning laws embed environment and food production areas.
The State Government’s announcement today of $110 million in funding to support the infrastructure enabling 12 gigalitres of additional treated waste water from Bolivar to be used for horticulture is expected to create 3,700 jobs and add $500 million per annum to South Australia’s economy.
The South Australian Business Chamber first flagged our support for the NAIS in our 2014 Charter for More Prosperous South Australia and we have consistently advocated for the project’s progression, including through our last three pre-budget submissions.
The South Australian Business Chamber Executive Director, Industry and Government Engagement, Anthony Penney said, “The South Australian Business Chamber has long advocated for the NAIS for its ability to leverage South Australia’s competitive advantage in horticulture and to create jobs in the north of Adelaide where they are going to be most in need following Holden’s exit.”
“The South Australian Business Chamber was also a strong supporter of the Northern Connector project, under construction, for its ability to enable projects such as the NAIS to be export competitive.
“It will now be important that potential users of the extra water can optimise the benefits it presents through the use of leading water efficient irrigation practices, including in high-tech greenhouses.
“We need to see these types of infrastructure projects for what they are, opportunities to transform our economy to deliver more opportunities for all businesses, including SMEs.
“The South Australian Business Chamber reiterates our recent request to the Federal Government to play its part by contributing one third of the enabling infrastructure of the NAIS through the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.
“The NAIS represents a significant opportunity for the growth of South Australian industry at a time we face the most significant economic transition in decades following the closure of local auto-production.
“The State and Federal Governments should also be looking to ensure that the NAIS is developed in a manner which can accommodate the full 20 gigalitres of excess bolivar treated waste water as the market demand presents opportunities.”
