Fellowship to identify Northern economic opportunities

Friday, 25 September 2015

A new research project will aim to identify new industries and employment opportunities for northern Adelaide.

Launching the Stretton Fellowship research project at the official opening of the $16m Stretton Centre, Premier Jay Weatherill paid tribute to Professor Hugh Stretton who had “made a significant contribution to our State”.

“With the challenges facing northern Adelaide due to the closure of Holden, we need to find sustainable, new industries that can deliver new jobs into the future,” Mr Weatherill said.

“This Fellowship will allow a researcher the opportunity to work with industry and Government to explore opportunities that can deliver new jobs.”

Mr Weatherill said the State Government was a proud supporter of the Stretton Centre, contributing $2.25 million to the establishment of the facility.

“With its focus on collaboration and innovation, this Centre is a fitting reminder of the work and legacy of Professor Stretton,” he said.

“It will bring together university researchers, government and industry to work collaboratively to support the social and economic development of the State.”

Social Housing Minister Zoe Bettison said Housing SA was investing $50,000 in the Fellowship, forming part of the Knowledge Exchange Program.

“This funding will enable a research fellow to spend up to four months working with Government and industry on the research project, with support from an intern from Adelaide University,” Ms Bettison said.

“I look forward to seeing the work developed through this fellowship and the positive impact it will have on the local community.”

Associate Professor John Spoehr, from the University of Adelaide and Research Program Director of the Stretton Centre said that the fellowship would help to provide much needed insight into the industries and jobs of the future in the region.

“We must now look to sectors with high growth prospects including food, wine, tourism, health and aged care,” he said.

“There are exciting prospects for the application of new technologies, particularly photonics, robotics, additive manufacturing and nano-tech. But this needs to be backed up by solid research and policy.

“We are also collaborating with the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion to explore how we might maximise local employment and training programs through their maintenance program.

“In addition, we are supporting the development of a healthy cities precinct in the City of Playford, which will see services providers, researchers and businesses working together to develop a new generation of products and services.”

Mayor of the City of Playford, Glenn Docherty said the new Stretton Centre would bring together leaders from across business, industry, research and government sectors with cutting-edge and innovative entrepreneurs.

“It will identify new workforce, industry and urban development opportunities to service the City of Playford’s fast growing population,” he said.

“Local businesses from the City of Playford will be able to access training, mentoring and specialist advice in this multi-use community facility, and provide the foundations and future employment opportunities in the North.”

University of Adelaide Chancellor, Rear Admiral the Honourable Kevin Scarce AC CSC RAN-Rtd said the Stretton Centre builds on the foundations that Hugh Stretton established, promising new opportunities for the City of Playford, and its people.

“At this time of great change in the north of Adelaide, it’s critical that we forge solid partnerships between the different levels of government, industry, not-for-profit groups and the knowledge and research expertise of our great university sector.”

 

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