$24m economic plan for Adelaide's north

The South Australian government will invest more than $24 million in economic initiatives for Adelaide's northern suburbs ahead of the closure of Holden's assembly plant next year.

The Northern Economic Plan, launched on Thursday, includes $10m for a small business development fund, $7m towards a food manufacturing hub and $4m for a disability employment hub to train former Holden workers.

"It's not just the people working on the Holden production line or the workers in the car components industry likely to be affected - it's also those people working in a range of businesses that support the automotive industry," Manufacturing Minister Kyam Maher said.

"The plan identifies key industry sectors that could help deliver a viable future for northern Adelaide and new careers for auto workers."

But the Liberal opposition said it came too late to help Holden workers.

Opposition employment spokesman Corey Wingard said the plan should have been delivered with enough time for employees and their families to make appropriate plans for their future.

"A plan to deliver jobs in northern Adelaide should have been a priority for the Labor government rather than something that gets done for the sake of it," he said.

"Holden will shut its doors next year and unemployment in the northern suburbs is already at almost 10 per cent."

Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said he looked forward to seeing the government's pledges become reality.

"Local families want jobs that provide for today as well as the economic stability needed to build bright and secure futures for their children," he said.

"It's time to work side-by-side to help make the north the best it can be."