City of Playford will host the third Defence Industry Day at the Playford Civic Centre on Wednesday 22 November 2023. The event will bring together some of the world’s largest defence firms and organisations responsible for developing the defence supply industry.

Local businesses will have an opportunity to connect with global defence primes to identify new opportunities and possibilities for collaboration to maximise their participation in the defence sector. This includes the vast opportunities already present for defence companies to establish themselves within Playford’s existing industrial precincts and be a part of Australia’s defence capability.

More than 200 attendees will have the opportunity to hear from and network with a number of agencies including ASC, Boeing, BAE Systems, Hanwha, Defence SA, South Australia Space Industry Centre, Department for Education, TAFE SA, Edinburgh Industry Alliance, Bluerydge, Aimpoint RPL, Levett Engineering and Century Engineering.

Guest speakers will include Deputy Premier and Minister for Defence and Space Industries, the Hon Susan Close MP, Kara Prichard, State Manager at Mas National and Andrew Eziz, Defence Bid/Project Manager at REDARC Defence & Space.

Mayor Glenn Docherty said that City of Playford is proud to lead the facilitation of the Defence Industry Day event with no better time than now for local businesses to grow their defence capability and for others in the sector to base themselves in Playford.

“One of the largest ever Federal Government investments in Australia’s defence capability is centred right here in Adelaide’s northern suburbs. The annual Defence Industry Day provides a great opportunity for defence industry professionals to come together to identify where opportunities are both available now and emerging in Playford to enable local companies to take advantage of this significant investment,” said Mayor Docherty.

“City of Playford is already home to a significant number of companies working in the defence sector. We are ready to partner with companies considering making Playford their home to grow the defence capability of the region to support Australia’s defence efforts, create local jobs and bolster the economy.

Defence Industry Day 2023 will feature an opening address by Federal Member for Spence, Matt Burnell MP who will provide a federal overview of the defence landscape and the government’s response through key projects and policies.

“I am proud to work alongside the City of Playford supporting local defence manufacturing at the Defence Industry Day,” Mr Burnell said.

“In its third year of operation, the Defence Industry Day brings together knowledgeable industry experts opening pathways for future growth in this important employment sector for the north.”

“Investing in the northern suburbs is important, with many local defence companies supporting and supplying to primes across the nation and the world.”

Defence Industry Day is one of the many ways that City of Playford is contributing to South Australia’s plan to be recognised as an international leader in the defence industry. Other key projects and opportunities being progressed by Council include:

• Facilitating long-term development opportunities within Greater Edinburgh Parks and working with the state government to re-zone the land which has been identified in the 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide as future employment lands.
• Advocating for the development of the Edinburgh Defence and Aerospace Precinct – development of this precinct would facilitate the growth of initiatives that support the air and land services located at the RAAF base.

• Establishment of the Edinburgh Industry Alliance representing over 1,500 staff with the aim of maximising collaboration within the defence sector.

To find out more about City of Playford's investment and participation in the defence sector please visit Defence · City of Playford