Adelaide's Digital Future: What Happens Next and the Key Decisions Ahead

Adelaide is on the cusp of a digital revolution, with the Lot Fourteen tech and space precinct set to become a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. The precinct, located on the site of the former Royal Adelaide Hospital on North Terrace, is expected to create thousands of jobs and drive economic growth in the city.

The development of Lot Fourteen is a key part of the SA Labor government's plan to establish Adelaide as a defence industry hub, with the AUKUS submarine program and the Olympic Dam uranium expansion also driving investment in the city. The government's hydrogen jobs plan rollout is also expected to create new opportunities for businesses and workers in the renewable energy sector. As the city's population grows, driven in part by interstate migration, the need for a strong and resilient digital infrastructure has become increasingly important.

Local Investment and Development

The Lot Fourteen precinct is just one example of the significant investment being made in Adelaide's digital infrastructure. The University of Adelaide's Australian Institute for Machine Learning, located on North Terrace, is another key player in the city's tech scene, while the Defence and Space Landing Pad at Lot Fourteen is providing a base for start-ups and small businesses working in the defence and space industries. In the suburb of Mawson Lakes, the University of South Australia's Mawson Lakes campus is home to a range of tech and engineering programs, and the nearby Technology Park Adelaide is a hub for businesses working in the tech sector.

According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of people employed in the tech sector in Adelaide has grown by 15% in the past year, with the average salary for tech workers in the city now over $83,000. The ABS also reports that the number of businesses operating in the tech sector in Adelaide has increased by 20% in the past two years, with many of these businesses located in the city's inner suburbs, such as Kent Town and Norwood. As of June 2026, the City of Adelaide has reported that over 100 new businesses have set up operations in the Lot Fourteen precinct, with a total investment of over $150 million.

As the city's digital infrastructure continues to grow and develop, residents and businesses will be waiting to see how the plans will unfold. The key decisions ahead will include how to ensure that the benefits of the digital revolution are shared by all, and how to address the challenges that come with rapid growth and development. With the AUKUS submarine program expected to create over 2,000 jobs in the city, and the Olympic Dam uranium expansion set to drive significant investment in the region, the next 12 months will be crucial in shaping the future of Adelaide's digital economy.