When two places share not geography but vision, the foundations for a genuinely meaningful partnership become possible. This is the story of what Onkaparinga and the Gelephu Mindfulness City might build together.
It is easy to assume that places need to look similar to work well together, particularly when it comes to something like a sister city relationship; however, in practice, the most valuable partnerships are often those where the contexts are quite different, but the underlying challenges, ambitions and priorities are closely aligned.
This is exactly what emerges when looking at the potential connection between the City of Onkaparinga in South Australia and the Gelephu Mindfulness City(GMC) in Bhutan. One is a well-established local government area with diverse communities, legacy infrastructure and a strong base of small and medium enterprises, while the other is an ambitious new city being designed with a different lens, integrating economic development, wellbeing and environmental considerations from the outset. Despite these differences, both are working through many of the same questions, and it is in these shared challenges that the real opportunity sits.
Shared Economics, Different Starting Points
At the heart of both locations is the need to build economies that are resilient, inclusive and responsive to change, while still maintaining a strong sense of identity and place. In Onkaparinga, this plays out through the ongoing diversification of its economy across construction, health, tourism, education and manufacturing, alongside the realities of supporting existing businesses and communities through periods of transition. In GMC, the focus is on creating new opportunities that can retain and attract talent, support emerging industries and position Bhutan within a broader regional and global context. The starting points may be different, but the intent is remarkably similar.
This alignment reflects a broader global shift. As noted by the OECD’s Regional Development Policy framework, regions that succeed in the long term are those that balance economic growth with social inclusion and environmental sustainability. Both Onkaparinga and Bhutan are actively engaging with this balance, albeit through very different lenses
Tourism: Rethinking How Destinations Are Experienced
When you look more closely at the industry, the alignment becomes even more practical. Tourism, for example, is not just a shared sector but a shared opportunity to rethink how destinations are positioned and experienced. Onkaparinga brings with it a strong visitor economy grounded in its coastline, wine regions and local food systems, while GMC is shaping itself as a destination for wellness, culture and mindful travel as an extension of Bhutan’s globally recognised model of high-value, low-volume tourism. The opportunity is not simply to exchange ideas, but to explore how tourism can continue to evolve towards more immersive, place-based and sustainable experiences that benefit local communities as much as visitors.
Health and Wellbeing: Two Philosophies, One Outcome
Health and well-being are other areas where the connection is both obvious and nuanced. In
South Australia, this is reflected in healthcare systems, ageing populations and community
services, whereas in Bhutan it is embedded more holistically through Gross National
Happiness, influencing policy, planning and daily life. These are different approaches to a
similar outcome, and there is value in understanding how each can inform the other,
particularly as regions globally grapple with the increasing importance of well-being as an
economic and social priority.
Education, Skills and Workforce: The Most Immediate Opportunity
This connection is not theoretical. It is already happening, and has been formally acknowledged in the South Australian Parliament. In a debate in the House of Assembly on 5 March 2025, the Member for Davenport, Ms Nicolle Flint, speaking during the International Women’s Day motion, drew explicit attention to the work already underway between South Australia and Bhutan:
“Wendy Perry, author, educator, entrepreneur and Managing Director of Workforce BluePrint, mentors local and international businesses and professionals. Her work with Bhutan, the only net-zero city in the world, demonstrates her commitment to global sustainability and innovation.”
Ms Thompson (Davenport), House of Assembly
South Australia Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), Wednesday 5 March 2025
Motions — International Women’s Day
parliament.sa.gov.au — SA Hansard
That this connection was named on the floor of the South Australian Parliament, not as aspiration, but as established practice, is significant. It positions Workforce BluePrint not merely as a participant in this partnership, but as an already-recognised bridge between two jurisdictions. Through shared workforce planning approaches, the exchange of educators and practitioners, and the development of targeted training aligned to real industry demand, the groundwork for a sister city collaboration in this space is not waiting to be built; it has already begun.
Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Building Bridges That Last
The role of small business and entrepreneurship provides another very tangible point of connection. Onkaparinga has a well-established SME ecosystem that underpins local employment and innovation, while Bhutan is placing increasing emphasis on entrepreneurship as a pathway for economic growth, particularly in emerging industries linked to GMC. Through Blue Poppy Ventures and related initiatives, there is already a focus on building these bridges, connecting Australian experience with Bhutanese opportunity in ways that support capability development, investment and long-term collaboration rather than one-off engagement.
Sustainability: A Platform, Not Just a Talking Point
While sustainability and net zero are certainly part of the conversation, they sit alongside a broader set of priorities rather than defining the relationship on their own. Bhutan’s position as a carbon-negative country and South Australia’s leadership in renewable energy provide a strong platform for collaboration. The more interesting aspect is how sustainability intersects with industry, workforce, tourism and community development in both contexts. It becomes less about a single agenda and more about how multiple priorities are integrated in a way that is practical and achievable.
A Royal Vision for a Different Kind of City
To understand what GMC truly represents, it is important to hear it in the words of its architect. At Bhutan’s 116th National Day on 17 December 2023, His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck announced the city before an audience of 30,000 Bhutanese citizens with a vision that goes far beyond conventional economic development:
“It will be one-of-a-kind, anchored on the vision and values of GNH. It will be a Mindfulness City, encompassing conscious and sustainable businesses, inspired by Buddhist spiritual heritage, and distinguished by the uniqueness of the Bhutanese identity. It is an inflexion point, a mandate and opportunity for us all — the King, the government, and the people — to join hands and work tirelessly to pave the road to the future.”
His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
National Day Address, Thimphu, Bhutan, 17 December 2023
This is not merely a property development or a special economic zone. GMC is envisioned as a sovereign redesign, a city where ethical governance, purposeful technology, and deep cultural identity are woven into the economic model from the very beginning. It is a philosophy that resonates strongly with Onkaparinga’s own commitment to ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of community identity and place.
Culture and Identity as Economic Drivers
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of this potential partnership is the role of culture and identity as genuine economic drivers. Onkaparinga’s sense of place, shaped by its communities, coastline and wine heritage, is central to how it attracts visitors, supports business and positions itself within South Australia. Bhutan’s cultural framework and commitment to Gross National Happiness underpin its approach to development at every level. Both are working to ensure that growth does not come at the expense of what makes them unique. As the GMC Royal Address makes plain:
“Gelephu Mindfulness City will be a place where innovation meets tradition, where economic growth is balanced with environmental stewardship, and where the well-being of all citizens is paramount. We envision a city that serves as a model for sustainable urban development, drawing on Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness philosophy while embracing the opportunities of the modern world.”
His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Royal Address on Gelephu Mindfulness City
This shared focus, growth in service of identity, not at its expense, creates the space for meaningful exchange between Onkaparinga and GMC that goes well beyond superficial comparison.
From Interesting Idea to Genuine Opportunity
What shifts this from being an interesting idea to a genuinely viable opportunity is that the connection is not starting from zero. There are already established relationships, ongoing engagement, and a track record of bringing people together through delegations, projects and partnerships; a track record now formally recognised in two separate parliamentary chambers. A sister city arrangement could be grounded in this existing activity and move relatively quickly into practical collaboration across tourism, small business development, workforce and skills, and education and training.
The value of this relationship lies in the differences as much as the similarities. Onkaparinga brings the experience of managing growth, supporting businesses and transitioning industries within an established economy. GMC brings a willingness to experiment, to design systems differently, and to integrate wellbeing and sustainability from the outset. Together, they offer a more complete view of what economic development can look like, particularly in a world where regions and cities are increasingly expected to do more with less while responding to complex and rapidly changing conditions.
The opportunity now is not simply to explore the idea of a sister city partnership, but to shape it in a way that delivers real outcomes for people, businesses and communities on both sides. That means focusing on areas of clear alignment, building on the relationships that already exist, and creating pathways for collaboration that are practical, scalable and grounded in shared priorities; much like the two places themselves.