Upper Spencer Gulf expansion’s impact on social and community services to be discussed at Whyalla forum
A forum led by the South Australian Council of Social Service to discuss the social planning required as part of the State Prosperity Plan will be held in Whyalla today.
The Ensuring a Just Transition for the Upper Spencer Gulf Forum will be attended by approximately 50 representatives from federal, state and local governments, local community and social service organisations, and unions and industry.
The Upper Spencer Gulf will be a focal point for the Malinauskas government’s State Prosperity Plan (SPP). The plan includes major hydrogen, green steel, and water projects in and around Whyalla, Port Augusta and Port Pirie as the state progresses in its clean energy transition.
While SACOSS and those organisations delivering social and community services in the region welcome the large scale economic uplift the SPP should bring, the forum is an opportunity to ensure that all relevant stakeholders consider the impact the expansion could have for all residents across the region.
In its 2024-25 Budget submission (available via sacoss.org.au/publications), SACOSS called for appropriate social impact and human services planning as part of the overall expansion planning, including:
- The local economic impacts of booms and busts in the construction phases of the development plans;
- The impact of increased population on:
- Demand for childcare, schools and the qualified staff in those professions
- Demand for health services including GPs, community health services (including mental health supports) and hospital infrastructure;
- Demand for other community services such as disability supports, homelessness services, gambling help and family supports;
- The impact of increased demand and inflationary pressures on current residents on low and fixed incomes, and the support services for those residents;
- Additional social services demand likely to arise from an influx of people with limited connection to the area and fewer support networks.
Quotes attributable to Ross Womersley, SACOSS CEO
The State Prosperity Plan is the type of large-scale, big-picture investment that this state needs – but with it comes an imperative to ensure that it is just and fair for all South Australians, particularly those in the Upper Spencer Gulf.
So far most of the planning has centred around the economic, workforce and infrastructure implications. What we want to achieve from our forum today is to broaden out the conversation, so that all three levels of government and other stakeholders can better understand the social implications of the proposed expansion.
No-one should be left behind by the State Prosperity Plan, regardless of their circumstances. There is a risk that, without appropriate social planning, that rapid development could generate uneven outcomes and exacerbate disadvantage in communities that have already seen their fair share of challenging social issues.
There is risk, but also opportunity. SACOSS and the many service organisations on the ground in the Upper Spencer Gulf want to ensure this transition is just, and that benefits from regional development flow to and strengthen the whole community.
In areas like housing, employment, education and skills development, gender and the delivery of essential social and health services, we must be sure that community infrastructure develops at pace with economic and population growth, and supports social equity and cohesion.
Today’s forum is an opportunity to have an honest conversation about the planning required for a fair and just transition, and the investments that need to be made by all levels of government working together. Then we begin to act on that plan so that there is prosperity for all.
NOTE FOR MEDIA
The Ensuring a Just Transition for the Upper Spencer Gulf Forum, to be held at the Westland Hotel, will be closed to both the public and media. Media are welcome to arrive for vision opportunities from 9am, prior to the forum beginning at 9.30am.