The Stretton Centre celebrated its first anniversary on 29 November 2016. In anticipation of this occasion Local Member of Parliament, Tony Piccolo invited the Hon John Gazzola MLC to visit the Centre for a tour.
The Stretton Centre’s director, Mr Dermot Cussen hosted Mr Piccolo and Mr Gazzola and highlighted the important strategic goals of the Centre. Mr Cussen informed both that the Stretton Centre’s purpose is to explore and enable local job creation through working in collaboration with thinkers, government and industry. “Stretton’s co-working space for example is assisting small businesses to grow in a collaborative, collegial and knowledge sharing environment” said Mr Cussen.
Mr Gazzola was impressed with the objectives of the Centre to facilitate local jobs growth in the north and to contribute to improving the communities wellbeing that he spoke about it in State Parliament recently. Mr Gazzola said the closure of Holden presents new challenges for the northern suburbs, in the face of a rapidly changing economy and environment. “The northern region is also one of the most rapidly growing areas in SA, giving rise to the importance of the Stretton Centre.,’ said Mr Gazzola. “The Playford library service at Stretton has become an integral and strategic part of how Stretton engages with the community. “
“Facilities include free wi-fi, digital manufacturing, visual reality goggles, board games and curated games consoles. “ he added. Mr Cussen said small businesses based at the Stretton Centre will soon have access to ultra-fast internet through the Gig City project which will provide internet speeds 10 times faster than the NBN. Stretton already uses more than a terabit of data a month. “Stretton has promoted and participated in local and very successful Meet the Buyer events,’ Mr Cussen said.
Mr Gazzola told Parliament that the Stretton Centre helps local companies become aware of and apply for federal and state government funding initiatives, such as the $10 million Small Business Development Fund under the Northern Economic Plan.
“To date, Stretton has assisted five companies to successfully apply to the fund creating 21 new jobs,” said Mr Gazzola. “I am optimistic about the potential for more opportunities being created north of the city, with the Stretton Centre at the support helm,” he said.