When asked over the last few days, “Why would the South Australian Business Chamber concern itself with a natural swimming pool in the River Torrens?”, my answer is straight forward. When more people visit the city, that is good for our state and good for business.
Everyone knows that the Adelaide CBD has paid a heavy price since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether from less tourists and business travellers, international students unable to return or various work-from-home directions keeping employees out of the office, the result is the same. The business community bears the burden.
Everyone can see that the State Government, City of Adelaide, Adelaide Economic Development Agency and others are making every effort to reignite city visitation for the retail and hospitality sectors, the arts, performance venues, conferences and more. As South Australia’s peak employer body, the South Australian Business Chamber does not pretend to have a monopoly on good ideas but recognises the need for lateral thinking to reignite economic growth post-COVID 19, particularly in locations such as the CBD which need a sustainable boost to visitation numbers.
A creative, bold idea, such as funding a feasibility study for a natural swimming pool in the heart of the Riverbank Precinct is just the type of policy a state government needs in their pre-election campaign armoury and is emblematic of the thinking that the South Australian Business Chamber has been putting front of mind during the development of our soon to be released 26-point Charter22 policy plan.
Every four years, the South Australian Business Chamber puts forward a suite of ideas in the interest of our members and the wider business community that are reflective of the most effective options to sustainably improve the State’s business environment.
In March 2021, the South Australian Business Chamber ran a comprehensive survey of member businesses to gauge their thoughts on key issues and test various policy positions. To ensure a comprehensive perspective has framed our policy thinking ahead of the 2022 State election, discussions have also taken place with a range of businesses though member reference groups, members more broadly, and the wider business community.
Each point that we will soon present in Charter22 is far more than an idea on a page. Points are a result of months, and in many cases years, of research to understand the needs of the business community. In the instance of proposing a natural pool integrated into the River Torrens, this project could act as a catalyst for restoring water quality in the entire river to swimming standard, which will have a far greater economic benefit than just magnificent 50-metre pool.
As important as they are, Charter22 is not all about tourist attractions that drive visitation and economic activity. Although the overwhelming support for the idea over the last few days has been noted, there are 25 additional recommendations that are front of mind for the business community, each represented in Charter22 due to be announced in the coming week.
Many of the South Australian Business Chamber’s recommendations will not be easy implement, but they are what is needed.
Originally published in The Advertiser’s South Australian Business Journal on 24 August, 2021
