• SA startups take on London Tech Week
• West Beach Parks announces multi-million dollar upgrade
• Fairland’s Kidman Park development cleared for launch after re-zoning approval granted
• Colliers, Leedwell appointed to find tenant for Inner North Distribution Centre
• New name for peak community housing group reflects “national alliance”
• Minda builds new opportunities for teenagers

SA startups take on London Tech Week

A group of nine startups last week represented South Australia at London Tech Week to better understand the demand for their products and services in the UK market.

The likes of fintech Apxium, medtech Fusetec and AI firm Converlens descended on London for the week-long event which concluded on 16 June, giving them the chance to engage with other founders and attend a curated series of workshops, meetings and events.

The event serves as a “significant stepping stone for early-stage businesses” according to healthtech Add-Life Ventures CEO Daish Malani.

“Participating in London Tech Week was nothing short of extraordinary! We had the unique opportunity to engage with innovative startups, top-tier investors, and industry thought leaders from around the world,” Malani told InDaily.

“It’s a chance to observe current trends, engage with industry peers, and understand the expectations of potential investors. Furthermore, it can offer visibility and a platform to present one’s ideas to a larger audience.

“As the UK has a global health system, I was particularly focused on meeting NHS and associated rehabilitation specialists, and see the differences between how Australia approaches health care through NDIS and how a more evolved system like the NHS tackles similar problems.”

The delegation of South Australian startups at London Tech Week 2023 included: Apxium (Founder: Jeremy Coombe); Fusetec (CEO: Mark Roe); eBottli (Co-founder and CEO: Nathalie Taquet; GiveBack (Founder and CEO: Jimmy Smart); XFrame (Founder: Ged Finch); Converlens (Co-founder: Thomas Workman); LAAMP (Founder and managing director: Tim Angel); Add-Life Technologies (Founder and CEO: Daish Malani); ValAi (Co-founder: Tom Reed) and Southern Angels.

– David Simmons

Artist’s impression of the upcoming Central Park playground. Photo: West Beach Parks.

West Beach Parks announces multi-million dollar upgrade

West Beach Parks is investing $7.5 million to upgrade facilities, build new accommodations and build a new playspace.

The biggest investment of $4 million is going towards constructing 15 new environmentally sustainable holiday shacks in a partnership with local builder Centina.

The additional investment funds will go towards updating facilities such as the reception office and developing an inclusive adventure playground in the BIG4 Holiday Park that will include a flying fox, climbing and slide equipment and accessible play equipment.

West Beach Parks CEO, Kate Anderson said last summer the precinct posted record accommodation numbers and this year’s investment aims to attract new visitors.

“We are excited to deliver by the end of the year on key investment projects to cater to the growing domestic tourism market,” said Anderson.

Anderson believes the investment will contribute towards the state’s growing tourism industry which contributed $8.3 billion to the economy in 2022.

“Adelaide is fast becoming a nationally preferred holiday destination with an enviable events program that so far this year included the AFL Gather Round and LIV Golf.

“We are also allocating resources to our environmental sustainability plan as we take very seriously our role as custodians of the West Beach Recreation Reserve responsible for managing an area with significant natural assets including the coastal park, the boat ramp, the Patawalonga Creek line, and leisure and sporting facilities for today and for future generations.”

– Elisabeth Marie

Potential design for a St. James home interior. Photo: Fairland.

Fairland’s Kidman Park development cleared for launch after re-zoning approval granted

A master-planned community of approximately 400 homes in Kidman Park is set to launch following the receipt of re-zoning approval from the State Government.

The project – dubbed ‘St. James’ by developer Fairland – sits on an 11-hectare parcel of land directly adjacent to the River Torrens west of the city.

Having received re-zoning approval, Fairland will transform the site – one of Adelaide’s largest remaining infill sites – into a high-end community that will feature a network of parks and reserves integrated with existing walking and cycling paths along the Torrens.

Fairland acquired the former warehouse and logistics facility in 2021 intending to regenerate the lot, previously home to a Metcash distribution centre. Demolition and site clearing has recently been completed.

Bounded by Findon Road, Valetta Road and the River Torrens Linear Park, the site will offer access to schools, shopping centres, medical facilities, dining options and public transport.

“St. James is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to regenerate this industrial property as part of a coordinated and considered approach and is an example of Fairland’s unwavering commitment to building better communities that live on for generations to come,” said Fairland’s general manager Scott Searle.

“We welcome the re-zoning approval and we’re excited by the opportunities this rare and premium site will offer.

“Fairland will partner exclusively with some of Adelaide’s most prestigious builders to create what we expect will be a balanced mix of detached double-storey homes, townhomes and apartment living. Our masterplan will provide diverse living options perfect for all lifestyles.”

– David Simmons

The Inner North Distribution Centre is looking for a new tenant. Photo: supplied.

Colliers, Leedwell appointed to find tenant for Inner North Distribution Centre

Property investment firm Centennial has appointed both Colliers and Leedwell to lease the $20 million Inner North Distribution Centre.

Located about 20 minutes north of the CBD in Green Fields, the space is a modern industrial and logistics warehouse with an available building area of approximately 12,152 sqm, including office accommodation split across two levels.

Colliers national director Paul Tierney has been tasked with finding a tenant for the space that he has been involved with for several years, starting with an initial advisory role when the land was first developed in 2002.

Tierney has sold the premises twice since 2017, including to Centennial, and believes the “well-located premium offering will attract strong interest from a wide range of industrial and logistics occupiers”.

“It has been a pleasure to follow the transformation of this site, seeing how it has been updated to meet the needs of the market and changed hands to become the valuable asset Centennial today has to offer,” Tierney said.

The property comes with a high clearance of up to 7.5 metres, multiple on-grade roller shutters, full drive-around access for trucks, a breezeway and canopy for protected undercover storage and loading, plus a concrete-sealed heavy-duty hardstand over approximately 5,000 sqm.

– David Simmons

CHIA SA’s CEO Luke Westenberg. Photo: CHIA SA.

New name for peak community housing group reflects “national alliance”

The peak body representing community housing providers in South Australia has picked a new name to better reflect the “national alliance”.

The Community Housing Council of South Australia will now be known as the Community Housing Industry Association of SA (CHIA SA), and has a new logo to boot which CEO Luke Westenberg said would align SA with the national peak body and peak bodies in other states.

“The time is right for SA CHPs to be part of a national alliance,” Westenberg said.

“The change will help us better advocate for SA CHPs at the national level to create a stronger national voice for community housing, in turn supporting better national policy outcomes in housing for South Australians living on low incomes.”

CEO of the national peak body – Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) – Wendy Hayhurst said SA joined a growing network of providers amid rising demand for affordable housing across all jurisdictions.

“There is a big job to do to build and manage the many new social and affordable rental homes we need, and community housing organisations are well placed to partner with all levels of government to do this,” Hayhurst said.

Alongside the name change, CHIA SA has launched a new website at www.chiasa.org.au.

– David Simmons

Minda is helping high school age people living with a disability transition into adulthood. Photo: Minda.

Minda builds new opportunities for teenagers

Minda Inc., the largest intellectual disability service provider and employer in South Australia, has announced a new transition program to help teenagers adapt from high school to young adulthood.

MyPathway to Day Options, which will begin in August, is designed to help 16 to 18-year-olds build life skills in two ten-week activity cycles providing a range of learning opportunities.

Program coordinator Daniel Smith said MyPathway to Day Options aims to expose younger participants to a vast range of life skills that will help build their confidence as they enter the next stage of their lives.

“From building safe and hygienic practices in the cooking classes to developing skills in information and technology, our clients will get to explore and utilise knowledge learned throughout the program so they can build self-confidence, work on those skills practically at home and feel empowered for the next stage of life.”

– Elisabeth Marie