Go South – A focus on growth

Beach Road, Christies Beach, stands as a leading example of how the City of Onkaparinga is reimagining retail and coastal precincts to drive business confidence and community vibrancy.

Through the Christies Beach Tourism Action Plan and Beach Road Identity Project, council has worked closely with local businesses, landowners, and the community to develop a shared vision for the precinct, one that celebrates its coastal lifestyle, strengthens its identity, and supports long-term economic vitality.

The Christies Beach Tourism Action Plan identifies practical actions to enhance the visitor experience and attract new investment, including streetscape improvements, outdoor dining opportunities, public art, events, and branding initiatives that highlight Beach Road as a relaxed yet lively coastal destination.

Complementing this, the Beach Road Identity Project established a distinct brand identity for the precinct, positioning it as a place that embodies connection, creativity, and coastal character. This identity now informs wayfinding, signage, business collaboration, and future investment attraction activities.

Together, these initiatives have improved public amenity, strengthened local business confidence, and inspired a new wave of activation and private investment along the mainstreet.

The south is fast becoming South Australia’s next small-to-medium industrial frontier. With demand surging for small-to-medium warehousing, logistics, advanced manufacturing and light industry, Onkaparinga offers strong investment returns, skilled labour, and access to major transport corridors. Sectors like defence-adjacent manufacturing, renewables, and circular economy enterprises are increasingly choosing the south for their expansion and supply chain operations.

Construction remains one of Onkaparinga’s strongest-performing sectors with non-residential and residential building approvals at a record high, underpinning both population growth and local employment. From civil, commercial and industrial construction to residential and infrastructure development, the region’s sustained pipeline of projects reflects investor confidence and population demand. Future growth will continue to be supported by major transport and housing infrastructure investments and a skilled local workforce.

A rapidly growing population means a parallel rise in demand for population-serving businesses — from health and wellbeing to automotive, childcare, aged care, self-storage, and service retail. These are stable, high-demand industries that respond directly to community growth and provide consistent returns for local and external investors. This sector also benefits from adaptable planning zones and an entrepreneurial local business ecosystem.

Tourism remains a pillar of the local economy, fuelled by world-class wine, coastal and nature experiences, and a thriving visitor economy. New investment in boutique accommodation, eco and wellness tourism, and local food and beverage experiences is accelerating, as travellers seek authentic, place-based experiences close to Adelaide. With rising visitor numbers and new investment interest, the opportunity for premium and sustainable tourism ventures has never been stronger.

Onkaparinga is embracing the transition to a low-carbon economy, creating opportunities for investment in renewable energy, waste recovery, recycling, and sustainable product design. The region’s industrial precincts, including Lonsdale, are well positioned to support green industries through access to infrastructure, industrial land, and a growing network of circular economy enterprises.

Council’s commitment to sustainability, from energy efficiency programs and carbon reduction initiatives to waste and resource recovery partnerships provides a strong foundation for innovation in clean technology and circular manufacturing. With a skilled workforce and proximity to Adelaide’s logistics networks, Onkaparinga is ideally placed to attract and support businesses driving South Australia’s green industrial future.

As a coastal city with 31 kilometres of shoreline, estuaries, wetlands and river systems, Onkaparinga is a key player in South Australia’s emerging blue economy. The region is home to diverse and environmentally sustainable activities that leverage and protect coastal and marine environments, from aquaculture and tourism to conservation and research.

Recent initiatives such as the Aldinga Washpool restoration, wetland development in Onkaparinga River Recreation Park, and coastal adaptation and flood management projects highlight the city’s leadership in balancing environmental protection with economic opportunity. Local businesses are pioneering sustainable aquaculture ventures, while coastal-based tourism operators continue to attract visitors seeking authentic nature-based experiences.

Council’s proactive approach to coastal management, marine infrastructure renewal — including the Port Noarlunga Jetty upgrades and O’Sullivan Beach boat launching facilities — and partnerships with environmental research bodies, demonstrate its commitment to nurturing a thriving and sustainable blue economy.