The City of Adelaide plays a distinct role as the social, commercial, cultural and civic capital and the economic heart of South Australia. For this Strategy, we define economic development as:

Initiatives that attract talent and stimulate business and investment activity in the city; support a more diversified and productive economy; and improve community well-being.

The development of an Economic Development Strategy will clarify Council’s role in economic development and set strategic directions for City of Adelaide and its subsidiaries including Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA), Adelaide Central Market Authority ACMA) and Kadaltilla / Adelaide Park Lands Authority.

The City of Adelaide will focus on where we can meaningfully influence and impact the economy at the local, state, national and global scale.

We will use our subsidiaries and partnerships with other levels of government, research institutions, businesses and funding bodies to expand our influence.

We will work with our State and Federal counterparts to promote what the City of Adelaide and South Australia has to offer.

The last City of Adelaide economic development strategy was the Economically Prosperous City Strategy 2012-2016.

This draft Economic Development Strategy has a ten-year planning horizon and a four-year delivery focus from 2024-2028.

Research and targeted external consultation with specialists has occurred to inform the development of the draft Strategy. Further targeted consultation with key stakeholders is planned, including through AEDA’s networks.