Austin

Sister City Relationship

In 1986 Texas and South Australia marked the 150th anniversaries of their foundation as separate States of their respective countries. From this it followed naturally, that the two capital cities should be linked through the common bond which a Sister City relationship creates.

The Adelaide City Council unanimously resolved on the 20th December 1982, that the arrangements for the establishment of the bonds of friendship between our two communities be completed, thereby initiating the development of an association between us.

On the resolution of the City of Austin, an agreement was signed in Austin on 11 July 1983 by the then Mayor, Ron Muller and the then Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Dr. John Watson. It was attested by then Acting City Clerk, James Aldridge and then Town Clerk, Michael Llewellyn-Smith, joining both capitals as Sister Cities.

The resolution envisages a series of exchanges for the deepening of cultural ties, the encouragement of exhibitions for the marketing of products and services increasing the public awareness of tourist attractions and promoting visits between the people of the two cities.

About Austin

Austin was founded in 1838, and has a current population of 567,000 in the Austin city limits, with 1,057,000 in the metropolitan Austin area. It is the capital of Texas, located 225 miles from the Mexican border and home of the University of Texas. As well as its large manufacturing base, Austin is an emerging research and development centre for high technology.

Austin has a diverse culture with many influences. From South American, African-American and European, amongst others, each brings a distinctive style to Austin, with many cultural festivals and events being held throughout the year.

This interesting culture is set against a back drop of a beautiful landscape with desert blooms and amazing sunsets. Like Adelaide, Austin also has a green belt of park lands for recreational and community use.

Austin is the second fastest growing city and is the most computer literate city in the United States of America with around 61% of people using the Internet at home.

For more information on Austin Texas, please visit the sites listed below.

Achievements of the Sister City Relationship

  

The relationship between Austin and Adelaide has allowed for the positive promotion and marketing of the unique features each City has to offer. Some of the achievements obtained through this affiliation include:

● A visit to Adelaide in 1996 by 25 delegates from Austin which injected over $50,000 into the City's economy.
● An Adelaide-based medical equipment supplier are now agents in Austin. Estimated value of this venture is over $250,00 per annum.
● Adelaide's Channel 9 and Austin's KXAN - 36 news presenter exchange was a highly successful event.
● Keith Conlon's "Postcards From Austin" was an excellent promotional opportunity for the Adelaide and Austin Sister City relationship.
● A visit to Adelaide by the Director of the Austin Technology Incubator and the Centre for Commercialisation and Enterprise, established valuable links between Austin's education and technology industries and enabled the establishment of incubators and similar initiatives in South Australia.
● The manufacture of the South Australian designed product "Super Hooks" in Austin, with an estimated value in excess of $500,000 per annum.
● Austin Business Mission 2001.
● A 22 member study team from Austin visited Adelaide from 9-13 July 2001 and analysed 11 knowledge economy sectors in metropolitan Adelaide. Over 26 round table discussions were held including one on developing Adelaide as a "Smart City".

Links

● City of Austin Home Page
● Austin Convention and Visitors' Bureau