Mayor Glenn Docherty with Mark Oliphant College deputy principal Michael Mattei, Member for Light Tony Piccolo MP, Mark Oliphant principal Kerry Williams and buisness leader John Paronis. At the site of the Mark Oliphant College Kiss and Drop construction.
Playford is growing – in people, purpose, and potential. As our city continues to expand, it’s clear that we’re not only growing faster, we’re growing smarter which means shaping our future with intent and building on the strengths that have long defined our community.
Defence has always been part of that story, with northern Adelaide’s connection to the sector stretching back over 70 years. Today, that legacy is stronger than ever, with RAAF Base Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Defence Precinct and a surrounding industry cluster home to some of the most important defence activity in the state.
While defence hasn’t always been the largest industry in our region, it is one of the fastestgrowing and it’s putting Playford on the national map. That’s why Council has taken a proactive step by initiating the planning work for a new Defence and Aerospace Precinct. This dedicated precinct would sit alongside RAAF Base Edinburgh, providing more space
for defence-related activity, future jobs, and new investment in an area of national strategic importance.
This isn’t just about land use, it’s about shaping a future that reflects our region’s strengths and creates opportunities for the next generation. Playford has the location, the people, and the capability to support Australia’s defence future, and we are proud to be playing our part.
In this edition, you’ll read more about the growth of our local defence sector, including the history that shaped it and the projects that are driving it forward. You’ll also learn about the important work of Dr Margaret Arstall – a passionate health advocate who grew up in Playford and is now helping deliver worldclass care to our growing community.
Playford’s future is bold, strategic and full of opportunity – and we’re just getting started.
Mayor Glenn Docherty
In 1997 the Department of Defence sold off over 70% of defence owned crown land to form the Edinburgh Parks Industrial Estate.
The 7 RAR relocates to RAAF Base Edinburgh in 2010/11 to consolidate its operations following a strategic realignment of Australia’s defence assets.
The Edinburgh Industry Alliance was formed to address supply chain challenges and strengthen onshore sovereign industrial solutions.
Construction began on the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF), creating hundreds of jobs in Adelaide’s north. The project is expected to employ around 50 highly skilled defence industry roles in aircraft maintenance, engineering, avionics, and logistics.
Greater Edinburgh Parks (GEP) has been identified in South Australia’s State Planning Strategy as a key future employment precinct. If fully developed, the 1,600-hectare site could support over 37,000 jobs, representing 90% of Adelaide’s future employment lands. Long-term planning recognises GEP as critical to expanding the state’s defence capability.
Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility
RAAF Based Edinburgh
A proposed Defence and Aerospace
Precinct next to RAAF Base Edinburgh is set to unlock major benefits for the Playford community, creating local jobs, attracting private investment, and supporting long-term economic growth.
Council has identified the opportunity to establish this dedicated precinct and initiated the formal land rezoning process, known as a Code Amendment.
The Code Amendment seeks to rezone more than 400 hectares of land in Penfield to allow for defence-related and industrial development, including logistics, research, warehousing, training and advanced manufacturing. The new zoning would support overflow from the existing Edinburgh Defence
Site 1 – Strategic Employment Zone
Site 3 – Strategic Employment Zone with Defence and Aerospace Subzone
Site 2 – Employment Zone
Precinct and create space for future expansion.
Mayor Glenn Docherty said Playford was proud to lead the proposal for rezoning.
“This is a rare opportunity to deliver meaningful jobs and attract investment in an area with strategic national importance,” he said. “It supports our rapidly growing community and positions Playford as a key player in Australia’s defence future.”
By planning for the right land use now, Council is taking proactive steps to attract future investment to the area, which will bring new businesses, opportunities, and importantly, new jobs for our rapidly growing population.
The proposal forms part of the wider Greater Edinburgh Parks area, which is already a major industrial and employment hub, and will help strengthen the region’s role in high-tech defence and aerospace operations.
Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Nick Champion MP, said the location was ideal for growth.
“This is a unique opportunity to take advantage of the area’s strategic location
“In our first three months here, we gained 1,000 square metres which was crucial. Lionsgate offers space to grow unlike other facilities where expansion means costly relocation.”
The location and flexibility of Lionsgate have become a major drawcard for businesses making the site home.
According to Keith, opportunities to expand are within arm’s reach in the park and customers know the site location well.
“It is a very well-known site and we even have customers within the site,” he said.
In the short time Lasermech has been involved in the defence sector, future growth opportunities are already clear to Keith.
“We are involved in an industry capability network – a business-to-business network – which means we have access to upcoming contracts particularly in defence,” he said.
New era for the Holden site:
Final Chapter: General Motors Holden ceases operations in 2017.
A new leaf: Leading Australian developer, Pelligra Group, purchases the site in December 2017.
Lionsgate Business Park: Pelligra transforms the 123-hectare site into a high-tech business and manufacturing hub.
Bustling site: Over 2,500 people work at the site each day, with over 35 businesses calling Lionsgate home.
Industry development: The site is home to businesses working across manufacturing, construction and logistics.
Sectors such as defence utilise the network to help fill contracts and Keith expects the company’s focus on the sector to triple or quadruple in the next two to three years.
“Based on the Lionsgate location and the increase in work returning to Australia from overseas, we are in the hot seat to take on as much defence work as we can,” he said.
Dr Margaret Arstall, Director of Cardiology at Lyell McEwin Hospital, was born there and has watched northern Adelaide’s biggest hospital grow from the inside out.
Born at Lyell McEwin, her parents were among the first 1,000 families to settle in Elizabeth South in 1956, a year after the city was established.
On a working holiday in Birmingham at the General Electric Company, they seized the opportunity for a free passage to South Australia, with her father, Bob, securing an engineering job at the company’s new location.
“This is my place. The north is my home,” she
says from her office, in the Cardiology Unit, not far from her childhood home on Manningford Road.
Today, the hospital is a lifeline to nearly 400,000 people, extending beyond its immediate surroundings to Gawler, the Barossa, Clare and the mid-north.
Pumping every second, an emergency cardiac unit is far from relaxing. Only one in ten people survive a cardiac arrest outside a hospital.
“Every minute counts,” explains Dr Arstall. “The key to treating heart attacks, especially big ones, is early intervention because heart muscle is dying.”
She saw the first of now two cath labs (examination rooms for diagnostic imaging) open at Lyell McEwin in November 2006. This 24/7 specialised area allows cardiologists – without surgeons – to deliver the gold standard in early heart attack intervention.
Small expandable tubes, known as stents, are inserted through an artery and deployed like a spring, swiftly restoring blood flow.
“You have about four hours to do that. We have a huge population in the north, and transferring patients to the Royal Adelaide Hospital is just wasted time,” Margaret said.
With ongoing population growth, Dr Arstall is thrilled to see the Playford Health and Wellbeing Precinct expanding, with a new private Calvary Hospital co-locating next to Lyell McEwin, creating a high-performing public and private medical precinct.
“People ask why we need a private hospital next to a public one, but there’s a lot of synergy – many doctors work across both.
“If you can park between the two, it’s great from a doctor’s point of view – less time wasted driving.”
As an Elizabeth South Primary School and Elizabeth High School alumna, Dr Arstall reflects on a happy childhood in the north, crediting her parents as key to her success in medicine.
While she doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of becoming a doctor, her advice is to believe in yourself and seek support from those around you.
“If you aspire to it, you can do it. You just need to work hard.
“I didn’t think I was any different. I just thought, well, I’ve studied, I have the marks, I can do that.”
Above all, she values connecting with patients, ensuring they understand their treatment without too much medical jargon.
Dog lovers might even get a visit from her Kelpie Labrador X, Black Betty, and Westie Terrier, Wally, during clinic visits.
“I’ve never been bored here. I love the challenges – that’s what’s kept me here.”
Anytime is the best time to start making healthy change to your life. Find out more by visiting Preventative Health SA.
Mayor Glenn Docherty 0413 219 868
mayordocherty@playford.sa.gov.au
We are lucky to have so many great parks, playgrounds, and open spaces across our city. One favourite for my family and I is Jo Gapper Park in Hillbank. It’s somewhere we often find ourselves – a fantastic place to unwind and enjoy the views.
Cr Peter Rentoulis 0417 016 146
crarentoulis@playford.sa.gov.au
Councillor Rentoulis is available to Ward One residents, his contact details can be found above.
Cr Rebecca Vandepeear 0483 132 360
crrvandepeear@playford.sa.gov.au
Stebonheath Park is a favourite of mine. I love to go running starting at the park, then along the Smith Creek Trail to Smithfield. I love seeing local families spend their weekends at the park with a picnic or an outdoor game in the open space.
two covers the suburbs of Munno
Cr Clint Marsh 0478 283 874
crcmarsh@playford.sa.gov.au
Our investment towards upgrading and establishing new open spaces is vital for our community. We have a challenge in balancing investment and delivery for existing and growth areas.
Downs, Munno Para West, Munno Para, Smithfield and Blakeview; and part of the suburb of
Cr Jane Onuzans 0432 251 207
creonuzans@playford.sa.gov.au
Fremont Park is a loved spot for family recreation, offering trails, picnic areas, shaded spaces and inclusive equipment. And Playford Alive Town Park attracts friends with young families who enjoy fun before heading to the library to read just steps away.
Cr Gay Smallwood-Smith 0417 016 163
crgsmallwoodsmith@playford.sa.gov.au
Playford has many parks for residents to enjoy. Among them are Fremont Park, Douglas Drive wetlands and the water park at Playford Alive. I love Fremont Park as it is a very popular facility with great features.
Cr Chantelle Karlsen (Deputy Mayor) 0477 215 602
crckarlsen@playford.sa.gov.au
My family are regular visitors and enjoy the Blake’s Crossing playgrounds and lake but I am most proud of the fully fenced Peerless Reserve. Lots of equipment and fun for all ages.
Diesel – Bootleg Melancholy Album Tour 2025
7:30pm, Saturday 3 May,
The Shedley Theatre
Diesel, a legendary artist whose music has shaped our lives for over three decades, is bringing his signature sound to selected theatres nationwide for a bespoke listening experience.
This tour features a unique two-set performance, spanning 17 albums with re-imagined hits and tracks from his ARIA chart-topping album Bootleg Melancholy. With six ARIA Awards, over one million records sold, and more than 100 million streams, Diesel’s live performances prove why he remains a perennial favorite – grab your tickets now for an unforgettable night!
2pm, Sunday 31 August
The Shedley Theatre
Step back into rock ‘n’ roll’s golden era with A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Show! This high-energy tribute celebrates legends Jerry Lee Lewis, Ricky Nelson, and Buddy Holly with unforgettable performances and vintage flair.
Feel the fire of Jerry Lee Lewis, “The Killer,” with hits like Great Balls of Fire. Swoon to Ricky Nelson’s smooth rockabilly-pop classics like Hello Mary Lou, and relive the groundbreaking sounds of Buddy Holly with Peggy Sue and more.
Featuring top tribute artists Ezra Lee, Rick Hudson, and Tommy McEwan, this show brings the spirit of rock’s pioneers to life. Clap, stomp, and sing along, because rock ‘n’ roll is here to stay!
Non-profit groups, clubs, and organisations were recognised for their contributions at the Mayor’s Parlour on 29 January. Twenty grants, totalling over $65,000, were awarded to support new community projects in arts, culture, sport, the environment, and initiatives for young people, older people, and those facing challenges.
People from all walks of life are gathering at Chatty Café, a welcoming Wednesday catch-up at Smithfield Plains John McVeity Centre. With coffee, biscuits, and a quality chinwag. It’s a fantastic way to connect, make new friends, and enjoy one of our amazing community centres.
Scan the QR Code to find out more about Chatty Cafe or phone 8256 0333.
