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Prime Minister Scott Morrison and SA Premier Steven Marshall have announced that South Australia will play home to the Australian Space Agency, which will increase the opportunities for defence companies based in Adelaide.
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The Australian Space Agency will be located at Lot Fourteen at the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site. Lot Fourteen will serve as a one-stop shop supporting international defence and space companies to establish themselves in SA.
Prime Minister Morrison said South Australia was a key hub for innovation and the technology industry, making it the ideal home for the new Space Agency.
"This agency is going to open doors for local businesses and Australian access to the US$345 billion global space industry," the PM said.
Developed on the site of the former Royal Adelaide Hospital, Lot Fourteen is being transformed into one of the nation's premier technology innovation hubs playing home to defence, cyber security, artificial intelligence and space companies.
The announcement is also key to the new Adelaide City Deal, with a memorandum of understanding signed today by Prime Minister Morrison and Premier Marshall aimed at turbo-charging Adelaide’s economy and driving long-term investment in the city.
Premier Marshall welcomed the announcement, saying, "Establishing the headquarters of the Australian Space Agency in South Australia will launch our space and defence sectors to the next level."
Lot Fourteen will also serve as a Defence Landing Pad and will be overseen by Defence SA, providing immediate access to affordable, short-term office facilities co-located with other like-minded companies and industry associations.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said, "We are committed to growing Australia’s space sector, and our government is also investing $260 million to develop world-leading satellite capabilities, and to significantly increase GPS accuracy in our cities and regional areas."
"Australia’s science, research and technology sectors are key in improving the competitiveness of Australian businesses – and only under our government’s strategic and strong economic management can these flourishing sectors continue to expand."
The combination of the Defence Landing Pad and the new Australian Space Agency headquarters will support companies, providing access to government and industry support services in a single location, providing assistance with local regulations, migration, business establishment and real estate, as well as information on workforce availability and skilling opportunities.
The seven-hectare redevelopment site aims to drive jobs growth in these fast growing industries as well as blockchain, robotics and related technologies, with around 1,000 people expected to be working at Lot Fourteen by late 2019. More than 40 businesses, including aerospace, technology and innovation giant Lockheed Martin, recently announced tenancy at the site.
More to come.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
