SACOME Council
SACOME is governed by an elected Council that comprises many leaders from within the South Australian mining and energy industry.
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Carl Kavina
SACOME President Strategic advocacy and strong relationships have delivered silver linings for the South Australian resources sector. As the financial year closed, the State budget provided crucial support for the Northern Water Project, a development that promises to deliver far reaching, positive implications and benefits for our sector. However, predictions of an economic downturn have dominated the headlines, and some sectors are experiencing significant shifts in consumer behaviours, particularly with regards to discretionary spending. Despite these pressures, the resources sector continues to remain steadfast and resilient continuing to make significant contributions to state and federal budgets. That said, concerns have arisen. Governments are increasingly seeking to extract additional revenue from our industries to fund alternative programs, and the risks of doing business in Australia are on the rise. The landscape for approvals, stakeholder consultation, construction, industrial relations, and operations is becoming more complex, uncertain, and costly. The 2023 Fraser Institute Survey saw South Australia ranked 20th on the Policy Perception Index (PPI), a drop from 3rd in 2022; and 22nd on the Best Practices Mineral Potential Index, up from 24th spot in 2022. Despite this decline in overall ranking , South Australia remains a leading global mining jurisdiction with a stable regulatory framework and strong mineral development potential. The energy market continues to generate and at times dominate media attention, often rivalling the biggest news stories. While the energy transition is progressing, it lacks a clear plan or understanding of the available options and their impacts. Multiple pathways to achieve emissions reduction targets are being discussed, but no single solution stands out. Although public expectations for emissions reductions remain unchanged, the practical challenges and rising costs of living are becoming more apparent. While there is a strong desire for lower emissions, most people are not willing to bear the financial burden associated with achieving these targets. Globally, there has been a notable change in the approach from governments and the media. There is no clear path forward but there is growing consensus that all options must be carefully evaluated if we are to continue as a prosperous country. Transmission lines are now attracting negative press, with inconsistent estimates of the required length. Landowner opposition to transmission lines is growing, and the impact on landscapes is gaining attention. The approval process for major projects is becoming increasingly difficult, and the transmission line build-out is slower than expected. The 2024 APPEA Conference (20-23 May) was well attended by industry, but also saw a notable increase in the number of protests. Groups who disrupt key business areas and/or damage property have generated a rapid, bipartisan response from the South Australian Parliament. In the midst of these challenges, nuclear power and hydrogen continue to attract growing support, both offering potential benefits despite the hurdles to commercial viability. A silver lining for our sector is the rush to lower emissions should insulate any economic downturn. The SACOME 2030 Vision Strategic Planning Day was held in March with a view to establishing the direction of the organisation for the coming five years. The 2024 Vision has served us well since its introduction in 2019. Our first event of 2024 was a tremendous success. A special thank you to Jo Jones and the team at Cavpower for their hospitality. The event was well attended and provided an excellent networking opportunity for SACOME members to connect and launch our 2024 Policy Priorities, setting our advocacy agenda for the year ahead. In February, we also launched the ResourcefulSA campaign, which aims to increase public understanding of the value that resources mined or produced in South Australia bring to everyday life. Focusing on health and home, the campaign targets audiences that previous polling identified as having lower awareness and appreciation of the resources sector. While 2024 was predicted to deliver a softer economic landing, challenging times highlight the importance of strategic advocacy and strong relationships with government. The Premier’s announcements around Northern Water, Green Iron, Magnetite Ore, Skills Training, and Hydrogen all bode well for our sector into the future. |
Current SACOME Council
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Back Row L-R: Cr. Tracey Winters Santos , Cr. Joe De Gennaro Heathgate, Cr. Adam Sanderson BHP, Cr. Eric Bardy SEA Gas,
Cr. Joanne Jones (Vice President) Cavpower Front Row L-R: Cr. Carl Kavina (President) Flinders Port Holdings, Rebecca Knol SACOME, Cr. Greg Swain Fortescue Absent from photo: Cr. Andrew Dyda (Vice President) Finlaysons Lawyers, Cr. Nicola Buley Electranet, and Cr. Bill Ovenden Beach Energy. |