With $156 million of combined funding from the South Australian and Federal governments for enabling infrastructure, the Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme (NAIS) has the potential to create up to 3700 jobs and attract $1.1 billion in private investment from export-orientated horticultural and agricultural industries.
The project’s aim is to use the water to develop a new agri-food precinct across 3000 hectares of the Northern Adelaide Plains, which will supply export markets, particularly in Asia.
The much-needed job creation associated with the project will come at a critical time, as the state faces increasing unemployment as the automotive industry winds down, particularly in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
The South Australian Business Chamber Executive Director Industry and Government Engagement Anthony Penney said the scheme will be a key economic driver for northern Adelaide, where the Northern Connector is under construction and recent changes to planning laws have embedded environment and food production areas.
“The South Australian Business Chamber has been advocating to further develop recycled water irrigation across northern Adelaide for many years, which was included in our 2014 pre-election charter,” Mr Penney said.
“The NAIS will leverage South Australia’s competitive advantage in horticulture and create much-needed jobs in Adelaide’s north where they are going to be in need following Holden’s exit.
“It will now be important that potential users of the extra water can optimise its benefits through the use of leading water-efficient irrigation practices, including in high-tech greenhouses.”
Mr Penney said the tender process must ensure the economic value-add from the scheme is maximised.
“We want to ensure the value of the project is optimised, which should also help to create downward pressure on water bills for SA Water customers,” he said.
While the enabling infrastructure is for 12 GL of water, the South Australian Business Chamber encourages both the government and private sector proponents to consider how the full 20 GL of excess Bolivar water can be used to maximise the value of this project.
