Population. Here's a fun fact, we're the 5th smallest capital city...but we only have 7% of the population. 93% of the top 5 cities population is not here. That's a staggering disparity...and aside from the occasional summer binge, there's not much keeping us here. Red tape and skyrocketing rents mean you just aren't seeing much "hip" shit happening in the city...yes it's been better in recent years, but still nowhere near the density you see in other cities. There has also has been a very, very deliberate effort to "Gentrify" various strips by a few property developers, along with negative gearing meaning landlords are quite happy to keep their Adelaide properties empty while investments elsewhere pull in the big bucks. The AHA campaigns against every new liquor licenced initiative to the point that the new "Small venue" laws neutered the chance for small/mid size live music operations, but we did see a tonne of new drinking holes pop up. The Australian Building Code means anyone want to do something involving the general public in a basement, or, god forbid, level 1, has very few loopholes that'll let them...you know...actually do it. I've given it a good crack. But frankly, looking back, the time/effort/money I put into building a community, fundraising, sponsorships, etc....that effort would have paid back 5x harder in any of the other top 5 cities...even with the same "Engagement", purely by virtue of the population numbers, and younger demographics. A fact all to many of my younger colleagues realised before putting down roots. Adelaide needs to play to it's strengths, and that is, to attract families and retirees. We don't have a candle to hold to culture elsewhere and the political buzz I was feeling from 2 years ago to push and revive it has pretty much died under newer leadership. I raised $150k to open a music-minded, all-ages inclusive hub in the city. Launched by a lord mayor. 13,000 fans, 52 shows a week on our radio station, 2-5 gigs a week around youth culture/music. Despite this, in the last 2 years I've had a grand total of 0 phone calls asking for my opinion / view on youth, how to retain talent, how to grow culture, you name it. Yes, I have been invited to various events, even won an award...but the fact remains that the resource I offer (and I the same goes for 90% of other entrepreneurs I know working in such spaces) are largely unengaged. So the mind wonders....where is advice on future youth policy coming from...or is it really that much of a concern? Who's asking people that are actually DOING these things, in the younger demographic, what the main difficulties they faced were. What legislative changes can be made. What assistance was useful and what was a time waste? The simple fact is with an ageing demographic, politicians need only pander to the ageing vote. Witness the lockout, p plate curfews, various measure that have minimal effectiveness, but make old people feel like the children are safer (or, indeed, their city). Easy to sell. Easy to swallow. Same deal nationally with TEWWORWISTS and boat people.