The Opportunity Network was officially launched on the 21st August 2018 at the Whyalla RDA office, with over 45 business leaders in attendance.

It marks a new era in supporting local businesses to secure work with major new projects in the region.

Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula are continuing to see an influx of major projects, including the estimated $350 million SIMEC ZEN Energy Cultana Solar Farm project, which in itself is estimated to include 780,000 solar panels and enough electricity generation to power 96,000 homes.

Unfortunately, in the past, many small and medium local businesses have missed out on major new contracts and work opportunities due to a lack of both awareness and understanding of how to go about securing the business.

RDAWEP, Whyalla City Council and Whyalla Chamber of Commerce collaborated to establish a new way to ‘support local’ and create new jobs for the region and hence the Opportunity Network and associated Capability Directory was established and launched.

Sturt Daley, project manager for the SIMEC ZEN Energy project, presented at the launch providing details of the project to a room full of business owners on how to go about securing the work.

Feedback was exceptional, with local business owners grateful for the support to access these major opportunities.

Ongoing bi-monthly events are planned to bring the network back together to strengthen business relationships, collaboration, and also present new major contract opportunities to the local business owners.

For further information contact Sandy Jones in the RDA Whyalla office on 08 8645 7811.