INVEST NORTHERN ADELAIDE

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:02): Can the minister advise how the launch of Invest Northern Adelaide will benefit the communities in northern Adelaide and South Australia?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:02): I would like to thank the honourable member for his very important question. Invest Northern Adelaide is a website that will promote the major economic advantages of doing business in the northern region of Adelaide. The project is a collaboration between the cities of Playford, Tea Tree Gully and Salisbury, and it is supported by the state government's Northern Connections, which has contributed $20,000 to the project.

The website will be an important tool for potential investors, developers and commercial property agents to access and share information about this very important and growing region of our state. By visiting the site, visitors can explore, investigate and learn about the $23 billion worth of major projects either underway or planned in the area. An interactive map highlights existing infrastructure, industry clusters and major projects, and showcases potential opportunities for advanced manufacturing and urban developments which provide affordable living options, commercial development and new infrastructure projects.

The map is designed to be (oh dear!) iPad-friendly, allowing the website maximum portability. It is designed to embed into other businesses' websites to provide a resource to their own clients. Someone is going to make me have a look at it soon, I imagine! Users can also subscribe to receive updates about new investment projects and opportunities. At the launch of Invest Northern Adelaide at Mawson Lakes earlier this month, the Premier and I welcomed this innovation as a great opportunity to raise the profile of the area as a primary attraction for investment, as did the City of Playford Mayor, Glenn Docherty, who said:

This collaborative project between councils gives local industries the tools to promote and encourage investment in our region.

It makes sense to combine our resources, and I strongly support a regional approach to investment attraction to the northern Adelaide region. Invest Northern Adelaide is another example of how the Weatherill Labor government is working collaboratively with the community to benefit South Australia as we prepare for the mining boom and ensure that prosperity is shared across the entire community. I congratulate the cities of Playford and Salisbury for driving this very important innovative project.