• Wages grow at fastest rate in more than a decade
• Terramin lands $10m investment
• Detpak to produce single size bag for Uber Eats
• Annual Aussie lamb ad released
• 1414 Degrees scores University of Adelaide tech licence
• 360-degree audio-visual upgrade at the Arkaba
• New program to train budding urban planners
• Parafield Airport releases draft master plan for consultation
• Acusensus secures mobile phone detection contract in South Australia

Wages grow at fastest rate in more than a decade

Wages have increased at their fastest rate since 2009 following a decade of unusually slow growth.

Aggregate wages grew 4.0 per cent in the year to September 2023, according to government data released on Monday.

Wages in the lowest paid and second lowest paid categories increased by 6.7 per cent and 5.0 per cent respectively during the same period.

All pay groups except the highest bracket recorded their largest quarterly growth since 2009, with a 4.6 per cent quarterly jump for the lowest earners.

Still challenging real wage growth is inflation, with the consumer price index currently more than five per cent – compared with the RBA’s target range of between 2 and 3 per cent.

A mid-year federal budget update released in December forecast wage growth to move ahead of inflation by early this year.

The government said the federally funded pay rise for aged care workers – who received a 15 per cent boost from June 2023 – had contributed to wages growth.

In 2022, the government introduced amendments to the Fair Work Act intended to improve pay and job security, including prohibiting pay secrecy.

– AAP

Terramin lands $10m investment

Strathalbyn-based miner Terramin has secured an investment of US$6.68 million (A$10 million) from an overseas company.

Conest Resources Limited – headquartered in Hong Kong – has been issued a convertible note in exchange for the funds which will be used for general administration, working capital costs, project funding and repayment of short-term debt facilities.

It comes as Terramin is involved in a Supreme Court bid to overturn a decision made by the state government to block the company’s plans to restart gold mining activities at a site near the Bird in Hand winery.

Terramin announced in August 2023 it had filed legal proceedings in the SA Supreme Court seeking a judicial review of Energy and Mining Minister Tom Koutsantonis’s February refusal to let it revive the historic Bird in Hand gold mine near Woodside.

– David Simmons

Detpak to produce single size bag for Uber Eats

Food delivery platform Uber Eats has teamed up with Detpak to produce smaller-sized paper delivery bags to cater for small and single orders in Australia and New Zealand.

Detpak, a subsidiary of the South Australian third-generation family-owned Detmold Group, has created a “singles bag”, designed for single or small meals, snacks and individual drinks.

While the original standard-sized bag size will remain, the new option allows businesses to save storage space and reduce delivery costs for small orders.

Sales manager Romano Bolzon said Detpak’s production and shipping of the 100 per cent recycled paper bag would emit 47 per cent less carbon than the larger carry bag.

“These smaller bags mean less material consumption, processing and transportation which will help to reduce Uber Eats’ carbon emissions impact in comparison to the standard-sized bag,” Bolzon said.

–Jim Plouffe

Annual Aussie lamb ad released

The summer lamb campaign developed by Australian Lamb and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has targeted the generation gap this year, steering clear of more contentious issues it has tackled in the past, such as Australia Day.

Graeme Yardy, domestic market manager at MLA said while generational stereotypes are fun, “there is much more that unites than separates us, and that’s what this year’s summer lamb campaign is all about”.

He said that data from NielsenIQ HomeScan shows a 17.5 per cent reduction in the price consumers are paying for lamb compared to a year ago, which is supporting a 23 per cent increase in volume of lamb purchased.

Photo: Big Screen Video.

360-degree audio-visual upgrade at the Arkaba

A new wraparound LED screen at the Arkaba Hotel is the centrepiece of the venue’s audio-visual upgrade, delivered by digital screen technology company Big Screen Video.

The screen has a circumference of 12.8 metres and can show up to six events at once, with Adelaide-based Big Screen Video claiming the screen as the “first in Australia to feature high-definition screens tapering at an angle creating a funnel effect ensuring viewers never miss a beat of the action”.

The screen sits above the main bar of the recently renovated Sportys bar at the Arkaba, and BSV chief executive Paul Ellery said it was a demonstration of the company’s focus on innovation.

“The design is unique and the custom curve is the only one of its type in an Australian venue,” he claimed.

“We are thrilled with the outcome which we believe will provide a memorable experience for patrons seeking the best live action on the highest-quality screens available.”

– David Simmons

1414 Degrees scores University of Adelaide tech licence

South Australian clean energy firm 1414 Degrees has obtained an exclusive licence for a new fluid reactor technology developed and patented by the University of Adelaide. 

According to ASX-listed 1414 Degrees, which specialises in thermal energy storage solutions, the reactor design features innovative dual bubble column technology with liquid metal catalysts for high-temperature reactions. 

The company told shareholders it intended to integrate its SiBrick silicon thermal storage solution with the reactor design, primarily for emissions-free hydrogen production through methane pyrolysis.

“Integrating SiBrick with the reactor will allow the use of intermittent renewable energy in the process, which requires constant very high temperatures to maintain continuous hydrogen production,” 1414 Degrees said.

“The University of Adelaide will continue to develop its reactor design under a sub-licence for teaching and research purposes.”

1414 Degrees will pay royalties to the University under the agreement which includes an option for the Adelaide firm to buy the intellectual property in the future.

– David Simmons

New program to train budding urban planners

The state government has established a new program to help address skill shortages in the built environment professions.

The Para Planner Cadet Program (PPCP) was designed to attract young people to become urban planners and is open to all people aged under 21 years old, including high school leavers regardless of ATAR results.

The government said the program – led by the Planning and Land Use Services (PLUS) – offered a “hands-on, practical approach to workforce development”.

While undertaking the PPCP, cadets will gain work experience while completing a Diploma in Local Government (Planning) through TAFE SA. The program commences this year and will run for 2.5 years, concluding in June 2027.

“Urban and regional planners play an important role in actively shaping our state to help create liveable and sustainable communities,” Planning Minister Nick Champion said.

“The Para Planner Cadet program provides a significant opportunity for agencies, councils and consulting firms to increase their resources and improve their services at a time when the industry is crying out for more planners.

“This hands-on, practical initiative has been designed to relieve the current pressures on planning teams and provides a path for participating employers to support young talent.”

– David Simmons

Parafield Airport releases draft master plan for consultation

The plan outlines the development of the Parafield Airport for the next 20 years with a detailed focus on the next eight years.

Parafield Airport Executive General Manager Tom Ganley said aircraft movement forecasting has been undertaken for a range of scenarios which recognise the need for adaptability in planning to meet the changing environment.

The Master Plan indicates the forecast for aircraft movements in 20 years (2043) has not changed significantly from the forecasts outlined in the 2017 Master Plan.

“Parafield Airport’s proximity to the surrounding suburbs means that careful planning and consultation is required to ensure that the aviation considerations of the airport are protected, while also ensuring that operational requirements are balanced with the community’s needs,” Ganley said.

“We will continue to look at ways to minimise the impact of aircraft noise on local communities by working with the training schools, Airservices Australia and local councils, while always having regard to the safety of flying operations.”

The 2024 Parafield Airport Preliminary Draft Master Plan is now on public display for a period of 60 business days.

Written submissions can be made by the closing date of Thursday, April 4.

– Jim Plouffe

Acusensus secures mobile phone detection contract in South Australia

New mobile phone detection cameras will be rolled out in South Australia after the signing of a five-plus year contract by the state government with Melbourne based artificial intelligence company Acusensus.

Under the $5m contract, Acusensus will supply, install and operate fixed-site cameras that detect drivers who are using mobile phones while driving.

The agreement sees half of Australia’s states and territories using Acusensus technology for mobile phone enforcement, including New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.

“We are pleased to be bringing life-saving enforcement technology to South Australian roads and to be working with the South Australian Government,” said Acusensus founder and managing director Alexander Jannink.

“This is Acusensus’ seventh multi-year enforcement contract and builds upon the success that Acusensus has had in rolling out programs in Australia in furtherance of our road safety growth strategy.”

–Charlie Gilchrist