Smarter, cleaner state by 2015

Adelaide Advertiser
Thursday 19/3/2009 Page: 5

IF the Economic Development Board's recommendations are acted on quickly, South Australians are likely to be living in a smarter, cleaner and more prosperous state in 2015.

Such household expenses as water and electricity could cost more. That would be offset by higher overall incomes as the state shook off its manufacturing linked past and replaced it with hi-tech, mining and clean energy industries. The recommendation to keep infrastructure spending strong, despite the financial crisis, was important.

Most South Australians would not care if the state lost its AAA credit rating temporarily but would care if their infrastructure was crumbling and planned major projects failed to materialise. In 2015, SA would be more multicultural than today if its share of skilled migration was increased as recommended.

Becoming a renewable energy sector leader would tap into our rich endowment of those resources, help battle climate change and increase the number of smart jobs in the state. While focusing on renewable energy might lead to more expensive electricity as generation costs more, that should only be short term as dirtier fossil fuel plants were taxed more heavily.