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36 Poverty and Deprivation Metric: SEIFA Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (Murray Bridge ranks in lower deciles) See section 9.3. Context / Action: Focus on access to affordable housing as a council priority and additional support for low-income groups. Investigate activities offered at local Community Centres for implementing to fill the gap. Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Metric: Participation in multicultural events (e.g., All Culture Fest, Yuntu Walun Festival) and migrant employment rates. Context / Action: Murray Bridge is a Refugee Welcome Zone with 56 nationalities; 16% of residents are born overseas. Track success of council-funded programs such as the Murraylands Migrant Resource Centre https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/rural-city-of-murray-bridge/ https://welcomingcities.org.au/network/the-rural-city-of-murray-bridge/ Aboriginal Wellbeing Metric: Closing the Gap indicators (e.g., employment, health outcomes) for Ngarrindjeri communities. Context / Action: Measure outcomes of Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority partnerships, such as the Bunyip/Mulyawonk 50th anniversary event. Social Cohesion Metric: Volunteering rates (25% in SA) and community group participation. Context / Action: Evaluate engagement in council-supported groups like Ngopun Together Reconciliation Group and the Community Action Group. Ngopun Together Reconciliation Group measures outcomes through a combination of community engagement, event success, partnerships, and alignment with reconciliation frameworks. Achievements include the award- winning Sorry Day Song, community events fostering cultural unity, and contributions to local and national reconciliation efforts. Environmental Sustainability Water Security and River Health Metric: Murray River water quality (e.g. salinity levels) and household water usage. Context / Action: The Murray River is critical for agriculture and 55% of Adelaide’s water supply; monitor impacts of drought and irrigation, using SA Water and Murray-Darling Basin Authority data. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_Bridge%2C_South_Australia Economic Development and Growth Strategy 2026-2030 71

37 Carbon Emissions Metric: Per capita CO2 emissions and renewable energy adoption (e.g., solar installations). Context / Action: Align with SA’s net-zero by 2050 goal, tracking local initiatives like council-led energy efficiency programs. Focus business and investment attraction efforts on aligned businesses to become a regional leader, hub in this area. Biodiversity Metric: Conservation area coverage (e.g., Kinchina, Monarto Conservation Parks) and native species health. Context / Action: Protect Ngarrindjeri lands and Lake Alexandrina ecosystems, using Department for Environment and Water data. Waste Management Metric: Recycling rates (80% in SA) and landfill diversion. Context / Action: Build on council waste education programs, using EPA SA data. Use technology (RFD etc…) to track and measure improvements. Economic Resilience and Quality Employment Quality Metric: Unemployment rate (5% in Murraylands) and proportion of living-wage jobs. Context / Action: Focus on agriculture ($252M output in 2020/21), manufacturing, and retail; track job creation in new developments like Gifford Hill. https://economy.id.com.au/rda-murraylands-riverland/value-of-agriculture?WebID=150 Economic Diversification Metric: Contribution of non-agricultural sectors to Gross Regional Product ($1.4B, 1.2% of SA’s GSP) Context / Action: Monitor growth in tourism (e.g., Monarto Zoo, river cruises, bed nights) and emerging industries like logistics, using RDA Murraylands data. Innovation Metric: Business startups and R&D investment. Context / Action: Evaluate council support for small businesses and innovation hubs and measure using ABS Business Register data changes. Financial Inclusion Metric: Access to banking and digital services in rural areas. Context / Action: Address digital divides in townships like Mypolonga and Wellington, using Australian Digital Inclusion Index data and comparisons 72 The Rural City of Murray Bridge

38 Community and Cultural Vitality Cultural Participation Metric: Attendance at events like the Murray Bridge Fringe Festival and All Culture Fest. Context / Action: Leverage council’s support for cultural venues (e.g., Murray Bridge Regional Gallery, Town Hall) and Ngarrindjeri heritage projects. Community Connectedness Metric: Participation in community programs (e.g., Heart Foundation Walking Group, Community Garden). Context / Action: Measure engagement via the Murray Bridge Community Centre and Wellbeing Hub activities. https://www.murraybridge.sa.gov.au/MurrayBridgeCommunityCentre Safety Metric: Crime rates and perceptions of safety. Context / Action: Focus on urban areas and riverfront precincts like Sturt Reserve, using SAPOL data. Implementation Ideas Data Sources Use ABS Census (2021), Wellbeing SA, RDA Murraylands and Riverland, profile.id, and council reports (e.g., Annual Business Plan). Community surveys from Let’s Talk Murray Bridge, to provide local insights https://letstalk.murraybridge.sa.gov.au/wellbeinghub?tool=survey_tool https://profile.id.com.au/murray-bridge Disaggregation Consider analyse by suburb (e.g., Murray Bridge Central, North, South) and demographics (Ngarrindjeri, migrants, low-income households) to address inequities. Composite Index Develop a “Murray Bridge Wellbeing Index”, integrating council’s Community Plan priorities (Thriving Communities, Dynamic Economy) with OECD and SDG frameworks. Weight metrics based on survey results (e.g., mental health, social connection). https://letstalk.murraybridge.sa.gov.au/wellbeinghub?tool=survey_tool Stakeholder Engagement Partner with Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority, Murraylands Migrant Resource Centre, local businesses, and community groups via platforms like the Community Action Group. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/rural-city-of-murray-bridge/ Monitoring Publish annual economic development focused wellbeing reports tied to the council’s Strategic Plan, using dashboards to track progress across agreed metrics and indicators. Economic Development and Growth Strategy 2026-2030 73

39 Example Application Wellbeing Hub - Monitor participation in mental health and physical activity programs (99.3% community support in 2022 survey). https://letstalk.murraybridge.sa.gov.au/wellbeinghub?tool=survey_tool Economic Diversification - Track job growth in tourism and logistics, leveraging Gifford Hill development and Monarto Zoo expansion. Cultural Inclusion - Measure attendance at All Culture Fest and Ngarrindjeri-led events to assess social cohesion. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/rural-city-of-murray-bridge/ Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) A detailed analysis of the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) 2021 data for the Rural City of Murray Bridge reveals significant intra-regional socio-economic variations. This assessment utilises data at the Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1) and Level 2 (SA2) to provide granular insights into the socio-economic landscape of the area. SEIFA comprises four indexes currently derived from 2021 Census data. 1. Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (IRSD) - Focuses on variables indicating disadvantage, such as low income, low educational attainment, high unemployment, and jobs in relatively unskilled occupations. 2. Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD) - Summarises variables relating to both advantage and disadvantage, providing a continuum of socio- economic conditions. 3. Index of Economic Resources (IER) - Considers variables related to the financial aspects of socio-economic advantage, including income, housing expenditure, and wealth indicators. 4. Index of Education and Occupation (IEO) - Examines educational attainment and occupational status, reflecting access to skills and employment opportunities. Each index assigns areas a score, rank, and decile (1 to 10), with lower deciles indicating higher levels of disadvantage. Key Findings by Sub-Region (SA2 Level) The Rural City of Murray Bridge encompasses several SA2 regions, each exhibiting distinct socio-economic characteristics: Murray Bridge SA2 IRSD Decile: 5, IRSAD Decile: 5, IER Decile: 6, IEO Decile: 5 This area reflects average socio-economic conditions, with balanced indicators across all indexes. 74 The Rural City of Murray Bridge

40 Murray Bridge Region SA2 IRSD Decile: 4, IRSAD Decile: 4, IER Decile: 5, IEO Decile: 4 Slightly below average socio-economic status, indicating areas that may benefit from targeted economic and educational initiatives. Murray Bridge Surrounds SA2 IRSD Decile: 3, IRSAD Decile: 3, IER Decile: 4, IEO Decile: 3 These areas exhibit higher levels of socio-economic disadvantage, suggesting a need for focused community and economic development programs. Implications for Economic Development and Growth Strategy Consideration Targeted Interventions in areas with lower deciles, particularly in the Murray Bridge Surrounds SA2, should be prioritised for economic development programs, educational support, and employment opportunities. Understanding the varying socio-economic conditions across sub- regions allows for more effective allocation of resources and services to areas most in need. Data-driven policies can be formulated to address specific challenges identified in each sub- region, enhancing overall community well-being. Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), Australia, 2021. Retrieved from ABS SEIFA 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021). 2021 Murray Bridge, Census Community Profiles. Retrieved from https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/community- profiles/2021/LGA45040 https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/socio-economic-indexes- areas-seifa-australia/latest-release Economic Development and Growth Strategy 2026-2030 75

RURAL CITY OF MURRAY BRIDGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY REVIEW 2026 – 2030 Economic Opportunities & Challenges Discussion Paper August 2025 76 The Rural City of Murray Bridge

RCMB Economic Opportuni-es & Challenges Discussion Paper 2 CONTENTS Background ........................................................................................................................................... 3 1. Execu6ve Summary & Areas of Focus .............................................................................................. 4 2. Economic Profile Overview & Trends ............................................................................................... 7 3.1 External Environment Trends & Emerging Sectors ...................................................................... 8 3.2 Employment Specialisa6on & Workforce Trends ........................................................................ 9 3.3 Supply Chain & Industry Dependencies .................................................................................... 10 3.4 Infrastructure & Investment ..................................................................................................... 11 3.5 Policy & Regulatory Environment ............................................................................................. 11 3.6 Alignment with Broader Trends ................................................................................................ 12 4. Economic Development Opportuni6es ........................................................................................... 14 4.1 Council Projects Underway & Private Sector Investment ......................................................... 15 4.1.1 Golden North Investment Announcement ........................................................................... 15 4.1.1 Pallamana/Mypolonga ......................................................................................................... 16 4.1.2 Flagstaff Park ........................................................................................................................ 18 4.1.3 Monarto South Strategic Employment Zone ........................................................................ 19 4.1.4 Tourism and Hospitality Infrastructure ................................................................................. 21 4.2 Housing and Residen6al Development .................................................................................... 22 4.3 Investment Alignment with Strategic Growth Areas ................................................................. 25 4.4 Council’s Role In Economic Growth ........................................................................................... 26 4.4.1 Council Defined Growth aspirations ..................................................................................... 27 5. Focus Areas – Key Moves ............................................................................................................... 28 5.1 Sustainable Wellbeing – Focus Area 1 ...................................................................................... 29 5.1.1 Health & Housing .................................................................................................................. 29 5.1.2 Education & Training ............................................................................................................ 29 5.1.3 Climate Resilience ................................................................................................................. 30 5.2 Investment & Infrastructure – Focus Area 2 ............................................................................. 31 5.2.1 Residential & Employment Lands ......................................................................................... 31 5.2.2 Strategic Infrastructure ......................................................................................................... 31 5.2.3 Investment Attraction ........................................................................................................... 32 5.3 Inclusive Growth – Focus Area 3 ............................................................................................... 33 5.3.1 Tourism & Events .................................................................................................................. 33 5.3.2 Business Support .................................................................................................................. 34 5.3.3 Business Attraction ............................................................................................................... 34 6. Stakeholder Input .......................................................................................................................... 35 7. Contemporary Economic Development Models ............................................................................ 36 8. Measures – What does Success Look like? .................................................................................... 37 9. Next Steps ...................................................................................................................................... 38 10. References ..................................................................................................................................... 38 Economic Development and Growth Strategy 2026-2030 77

RCMB Economic Opportuni-es & Challenges Discussion Paper 3 BACKGROUND The Rural City of Murray Bridge (RCMB) is undertaking a comprehensive review of its Economic Development Strategy and is seeking to develop an inclusive plan for Economic Development and Growth, building on work done to date. The Economic Development & Growth Strategy will ensure alignment with community aspira6ons, emerging opportuni6es, and contemporary policy direc6ons for the period 2026 to 2030. This review draws upon key council documents, including the Community Plan 2016–2032, the current Economic Development Strategy for 2024–2028, and the Strategic Plan for 2024–2028. The primary objec6ve is to consolidate previous achievements and integrate new ini6a6ves that address the needs of a dynamic and diverse local economy while posi6oning RCMB to thrive amidst changing regional, na6onal, and global contexts. 78 The Rural City of Murray Bridge

RCMB Economic Opportuni-es & Challenges Discussion Paper 4 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY & AREAS OF FOCUS This paper outlines preliminary iden6fied opportuni6es and challenges based on the current economy, external environmental factors and trends for the Rural City of Murray Bridge to focus its efforts to accelerate local economic growth and prosperity. The work is a review and update to exis6ng Economic Development Strategy and will be referred to as the Economic Development and Growth Strategy ‘Growth Direc6ons’ 2026 – 2030. The RCMB region demonstrates robust economic performance, driven by notable strengths in agriculture, construc6on, and tourism. While the area has shown resilience and grown its Gross Regional Product by 10 percent over the past four years, it remains exposed to global economic shocks, environmental fluctua6ons, and demographic changes. To ensure future prosperity, the council is focused on capitalising on new opportuni6es, inves6ng strategically, ensuring diverse industry sectors, and fostering a wellbeing-driven economy that enhances both economic ac6vity and community wellbeing. The global impact of emerging technologies and ar6ficial intelligence (ai) has been considered and the poten6al impact on the Rural City of Murray Bridge economy, in par6cular employment and industry sectors. By posi6oning RCMB as Adelaide’s ‘playground’ with a mix of major events, eco-tourism, and local experiences, the region is well placed to ahract visitors, investment, and new residents. Integra6ng wellbeing economic indicators across strategy delivery will ensure social inclusion, community health, and community resilience are central to RCMB’s success. This paper provides the founda6on for further stakeholder engagement and will be further refined to evolve as the strategy to guide future strategic decision-making, investment and efforts. Economic Development and Growth Strategy 2026-2030 79

RCMB Economic Opportuni-es & Challenges Discussion Paper 5 Looking Forward Considering the economic profile , research undertaken in the Opportuni6es & Challenges paper and endorsed 2025 -26 RCMB Annual Business Plan , a framework for delivering on the Council’s growth aspira6ons has been developed including 9 ‘key moves’ under 3 themes in this paper. 1.1 Health & Housing • Development of a Regional Public Health Plan, Community Wellbeing Plan, Ac6ve Aging Strategy and a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan. • Progressing Residen6al Areas code amendment • Enabling the Gifford Hill precinct. • Developing an Open Space Strategy to ensure future community needs are met. 1.2 Educa5on & Skills • Con6nue facilita6ng place-based programs that enhance local skill capabili6es. Maximise the Murray River Study Hub and Murraylands Skills Centre to deliver future requirements. • Maintain contemporary co-working facili6es to support entrepreneurship and small business growth. • Develop a concierge service framework for businesses. 1.3 Climate Resilience • Develop a Climate Audit Ac6on Plan. • Develop the Open Space Strategy to maximise environmental benefits of open space and the role they play in climate resilience. • Targeted climate related business ahrac6on such as renewable energy and related technology sectors. Focus Area 1 SUSTAINABLE WELLBEING 1.1 Health & Housing 1.2 Education & Skills 1.3 Climate Resilience Focus Area 2 INVESTMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE 2.1 Residential & Employment Lands 2.2 Strategic Infrastructure 2.3 Investment Attraction Focus Area 3 INCLUSIVE GROWTH 3.1 Tourism & Events 3.2 Business Support 3.3 Business Attraction 80 The Rural City of Murray Bridge