Tonsley Innovation District
A 61-hectare site located 10km south of Adelaide, Tonsley is recognised as the global benchmark for reimagining and redeveloping traditional manufacturing facilities. South Australia’s premier high-value manufacturing location is ready to welcome your business into its thriving innovation community.
TAKE A VIDEO TOUR
Tonsley Innovation District brings together leading-edge research and education institutions, established businesses and start-ups, business incubators and accelerators, as well as government and the wider community.
Tonsley is driving world class innovation and future industries as an advanced manufacturing hub across four focus sectors:
- Automation, software and simulation
- Mining and energy services
- Health, medical devices, and assistive technologies
- Cleantech and renewable energy
Watch the video walking tour, hosted by Renewal SA Senior Development Manager, Vince Rigter, to learn more about this vibrant and growing innovation district.
CELEBRATING THE FIRST TEN YEARS OF SUCCESS
Tonsley Innovation District has surged into its second decade of operation, continuing its laser-focused commitment to driving innovation and energising the state’s economy. The government-led District, located 12km from the city, has made dramatic strides since opening in 2012.
To mark Tonsley’s first decade of success, Renewal SA sat down with some of the District’s greatest champions, those who have actively contributed to its collaborative ecosystem and influenced the exemplar incubator it has become.
Global Network of Excellence
Located in Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, Tonsley was an inaugural member of the Global Institute on Innovation Districts and is the most awarded innovation district in Australia. This membership gave Tonsley access to a framework that helped strengthen its unique value proposition and provided opportunities for it to leapfrog ahead in core areas of sustainability, economic resilience and attraction of industry and investment.
According to Ms Julie Wagner, president and founder of The Global Institute on Innovation Districts (GIID), after her site research visit in April 2023, “Tonsley is a powerful example of an innovation district rooted in advanced manufacturing, highly technical sophistication and robotics, additive manufacturing and a diversity of disciplines converging together to create a true innovative economy, and you see it within footsteps of each other. There’s a really beautiful combination of both innovation, placemaking and a really inviting set of spaces to pull together people in different ways.”
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge that Tonsley Innovation District is situated on the Traditional Lands of the Kaurna people. We respect and support their spiritual connection with Country and connection to their land, waters and community.
Tonsley is home to
150
Businesses
2000
Working Individuals
150
Co-working businesses
8500
Students throughout the year
13k
Solar panels
6*
Green Star
Tonsley Innovation District
Ten Years of Tonsley champion JOHN AZZOLLINI
Ten Years of Tonsley champion JULIANNE PARKINSON
Ten Years of Tonsley champion ANDREW DOWNS
Ten Years of Tonsley champion VERITY KINGSMILL
Ten Years of Tonsley champion KAREN REYNOLDS
Ten Years of Tonsley champion LESLEY MARCHIORO
Ten Years of Tonsley champion LEN PIRO
Julie Wagner,
President and Founder, Global Institute on Innovation Districts (GIID)
Nick Champion MP,
Minister for Housing and Urban Development; Minister for Trade and Investment; and Minister for Planning