Briefcase: Business Snippets from around South Australia
In this week’s briefcase, another win for Sidewood Estate, GFG’s Whyalla Steelworks news, and a US defence company lands in Adelaide.
Sidewood Estate’s recognition
Eastern suburb named lowest-risk for business
Kelsian’s major renewal win
GFG’s Whyalla Steelworks news
Wallaroo port opens
US defence company heads down under
Aurizn announces another acquisition
Pipeline companies contracted by government
AR3’s access agreement news
Adelaide Airport country’s best
Post-prison program’s impact
Inclusive cricket with Rotary Club
Sidewood Estate’s industry win
Sidewood Estate was awarded the Wine Tourism Award at the Wine Industry IMPACT Awards, established by the Wine Industry Suppliers Association.
The awards recognise initiatives having a positive impact on the Australian grape and wine sector, with Sidewood owner and vigneron Owen Inglis saying the win was “incredibly gratifying”.
“We strive to create authentic, immersive experiences that connect visitors with the land, the craft, and our team,” Inglis said.
“This win acknowledges our ongoing investment in sustainable wine tourism, our innovative gastronomy offerings, and our focus on delivering exceptional customer service.”
Eastern suburb named lowest risk region to do business, again
Businesses in the Norwood, Payneham and St Peters area have the lowest average failure rate in the nation at 4.57 per cent.
It is the second month in a row that CreditorWatch named the eastern suburbs area the “lowest risk region” in Australia.
Adelaide has the lowest forecast failure rate among the capital city CBDs at 5.10 per cent, followed by Perth (5.19 per cent), Melbourne (5.77 per cent), Brisbane (5.91 per cent) and Sydney (6.24 per cent).
CreditorWatch Chief Economist, Ivan Colhoun said businesses were experiencing many of the same cost pressures as consumers such as higher electricity, insurance and rental costs, as well as the impacts of minimum wage increases.
Kelsian secured a 10-year contract renewal in WA. Photo: KelsianKelsian secures approximately $100 million revenue in contract
Kelsian, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Swan Transit, has entered a binding 10-year contract with the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia for bus operations in the Bunbury and Busselton regions.
The contract begins on January 1, 2025, securing around $100 million of revenue over the term, with Kelsian to operate and maintain approximately 72 buses and two depots, with around 100 staff. Swan Transit has already been operating in the area since 2015.
“This contract renewal is a testament to our service delivery model, providing exceptional public transport services and reflects the excellent work of our team,” managing director and group CEO Clint Feuerherdt said.
“Renewing these contracts reinforces our market position and improves the predictability of our revenue.”
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GFG secures $150m debt facility to support Whyalla Steelworks
Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance has negotiated a term sheet for US$100 million (AUD$150 million) in debt from a global credit fund to “bolster cash flow and…provide critical capital into the Whyalla steel & mining operations”.
The funds will also support suppliers, employees, operations and ongoing maintenance works at the steelworks’ blast furnace.
“My commitment to Whyalla and our transition to green iron and steel remains resolute,” GFG executive chairman Sanjeev Gupta said.
“Our new round of funding reaffirms my faith in Whyalla and our Back to Black plan, which aims to restore sustainable profitability and support the future of steel and mining operations in the region.
“We thank the community and our vendors for their patience and look forward to providing an update on these efforts shortly.”
T-Ports has opened its newest port. photo: supplied$100 million Wallaroo port opens
T-Ports and the Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation (NNAC) have celebrated the new Port of Narungga opening, with a $100 million investment by T-Ports to provide and alternative export pathway for grain growers across the Yorke Peninsula.
The port can ship up to 500,000 tonnes of grain annually, supporting up to 100 direct and indirect jobs, and is the first Australian port named in honour of Traditional Owners.
“By bringing ports closer to growers, T-Ports’ assets are increasing competition, giving growers better access to global markets, and putting more money into their pockets through improved grain prices, supply chain efficiencies and reduced transport costs,” T-Ports CEO Nathan Kent said.
“The NNAC is focussed on developing strong and healthy families, growing Aboriginal culture, maintaining cultural connections and empowering the economic wellbeing of our community and the wider region,” NNAC CEO Doug Milera.
“Tha naming of the Port of Narungga is a landmark recognition of the Narungga people, our connection to land and culture and our commitment to supporting the economic prosperity of the region.”
US defence company to set up in SA
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), an American company specialising in aircraft modernisation, electronic warfare technologies, and software solutions, has opened its Australian headquarters at Lot Fourteen.
The company employs around 4000 people globally, and its Australian subsidiary is set to focus on electronic warfare architecture, digital radio frequency technologies, and unmanned platforms and sensors.
“This strategic addition to our portfolio of companies is a critical and natural step as we focus on providing innovative, life-saving technology to AUKUS partners via Australia-built solutions,” SNC senior vice president of business development Stu Wildman said.
“The seamless partnership and synergy between SNC AUS, SNC UK and SNC US will unlock previously untapped opportunities and foster the development of new, innovative products in support of the Australian Defence Force and across borders.”
Hydrogen Summit, a French-Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry event with a panel discussion including Mike Rann, Deloitte’s Maxence Cateau and SMART ENERGY COUNCIL’s Joanna Kay, at Festival Tower on November 26.
Accelerating Hydrogen Mobility Workshop, an SA-H2H event delving into the future of hydrogen vehicles in the state, at Mantra Tonsley on November 28.
Future Energy and Agriculture, a meetup to focus on how agriculture can benefit from renewables, at the New Venture Institute on November 28.
GPA Group Ride and Networking Breakfast, a networking event with GPA including a 30km group bike ride and breakfast, at MAB Tonsley on November 29.
Future Energy Summit, a Future Energy Week event to meet energy experts, experience future energy in action, and tour Tonsley projects, at Tonsley Innovation District on November 29.
Celebrating 10 years of Awesomeness, a birthday celebration from the Awesome Foundation in celebration of $100,000 of grants over its 10 years, at Inparilla on November 29.
Never Waste a Good Crisis, an AmCham event about handling threats to business reputation and function, with Simon Hatcher of Hughes PR, Nikki Govan of AEDA and more, at SkyCity Adelaide on December 4.
Christmas Tchin Tchin, a French-Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry event to network, with the SA chapter head Florence Masters and YESmarketing CEO Darryl Durrant, at Club De Pétanque D’Adelaide on December 5.
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The no Breakfast, Breakfast, a KickStart for Kids fundraiser raising money for the school kids who regularly go without breakfast, at the Hilton on December 13.
International Women’s Day Breakfast, a Committee for Adelaide Event with Anna Meares, Grant Stevens, R M Williams COO Tara Moses, and Future Women founder Helen McCabe, at SkyCity on February 27.
Aurizn Group continues growth with acquisition
Defence technology company Aurizn has acquired Pacific Aerospace Consulting (PAC) Australia, which supplies specialist operationally focused services including systems integration, software engineering, technical services, tactical data link networks, and more.
Aurizn Group CEO Brett Sangster said the company was aiming to continue its growth in the defence sector, “filling the space between the primes and the smaller but often highly capable end of the market”.
“The acquisition of PAC Australia means Aurizn is now firmly established as a Tier 2 defence technology business, with market-leading expertise and 300+ capable people,” he said.
“There are currently targetable opportunities within the Defence and Critical Infrastructure sectors. We’re confident that our ‘build & grow’ approach is providing us with the requisite technology expertise, financial backing and the ability to capitalise on our cutting-edge capabilities and solutions.”
Government contracts three pipeline companies
BMD, Diona and Leed Engineering and Construction will share in up to $700 million of work over the next four years, supporting SA Water’s $3.3 billion capital program, a key initiative of the Housing Roadmap.
Projects the companies will work on primarily include those in Adelaide’s north, such as Angle Vale, Riverlea and Roseworthy, with capacity of the water and sewer network to be increased via pipe pump station and tank upgrades.
Outside of this project, the companies will also deliver projects around the state through the SA Water capital program, including upgrades to major trunk mains at Beetaloo and Port Pirie South.
Australian Rare Earth’s access agreement
Australian Rare Earths has entered a Farm-In-Agreement with Sheer Gold, a private minerals explorer, adding around 1000km2 of strategic ground prospective for uranium adjacent to its existing Overland Uranium Project.
Managing director and chief executive Travis Beinke said the “expanded tenure strengthens our strategic position in one of South Australia’s most prospective frontier uranium regions”.
“With our first drilling program at Overland now underway and already delivering encouraging results at our first target in this greenfield exploration venture, we are eager to advance exploration on high-priority targets across the expanded project area.”
Adelaide Airport. File photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily.Airport awarded best in Australia
Adelaide Airport won the Capital City Airport of the Year award at the Australian Airports Association National Airport Industry Awards in Brisbane last week, the second time it has received the award in the last three years.
Managing director Brenton Cox said the award was a “great result for everyone at Adelaide Airport”.
“It’s always nice to receive recognition from our peers that we’re moving in the right direction to achieve our vision of being everyone’s favourite airport,” he said.
“We have another big year ahead of us as we ramp up the next phase of infrastructure upgrades, which will include expansion of our check-in hall, adding gates and aerobridges at either end of the terminal and expanding our pick-up and drop-off facilities, as well as completing significant upgrades to our security screening and baggage handling systems.”
Post-prison program pays off
Workskil Australia’s ‘Work Ready, Release Ready PLUS’ program has attracted more than 1500 graduates since it was established in 2018, with more than half of graduates securing stable employment post-release.
The program supports participants with education and training while incarcerated and post-release, helping them to find a job after exiting custody.
The state government has committed an additional $6.3 million to increase access to the program, expanding it from 500 participants to 800 amid high demand.
This also includes expanding the program to more regional prisons and extra support for Aboriginal participants.
“Evaluation also shows the program is effective in reducing re-offending including among those at high risk of recidivism,” Workskil Australia CEO Nicole Dwyer said.
Rotary Club’s inclusive cricket partnership
The Rotary Club of Adelaide and DreamCricket have partnered to create an inclusive cricket program, delivering a modified cricket program encouraging participation for people of all abilities.
Students from Errington Special Education Centre took part in the inaugural DreamCricket Gala Day in November, getting involved in activities based on batting, bowling and fielding.
DreamCricket Australia SA director Ankit Agarwal said the group was “delighted to partner and support the launch of DreamCricket in South Australia”.
“The inclusive cricket program allows students of all abilities to try cricket for the first time and is part of our mission to create community impact.”
