South Australia Unveils 315,000 Home Development Plan

The South Australian Government has launched a dual strategy to address the state’s housing crisis, introducing legislation to unlock greenfield land alongside a comprehensive 30-year regional plan. The changes aim to vary Environment and Food Production Areas (EFPA) boundaries, potentially creating space for 61,000 new homes, while the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan (GARP) maps out locations for a total of 315,000 new homes and 254,000 additional jobs by 2055. The proposed changes target agricultural lands in the Greater Adelaide region and areas already identified in the GARP at Roseworthy, Two Wells, Murray Bridge, Victor Harbor, and Goolwa as potential future greenfield supply. “We need rolling development ready land supply to ensure we don’t face another housing crisis,” Housing Minister Nick Champion said. “The total amount of land anticipated to be removed from the EFPA in the Greater Adelaide area is less than 1 per cent of the current area.” The Government said the changes were crucial to commence detailed land use and infrastructure planning, ensuring South Australia was prepared for future population growth. Since taking office, the current administration has approved 30 code amendments, rezoning 500ha of land to create at least 7000 new dwellings. The previous government reportedly rezoned less than 190ha across its four-year term, contributing to what the state describes as “a catastrophic shortage of development ready land”. The GARP spans about 11,000sq km from Cape Jervis to Murray Bridge, encompassing the Barossa townships and extending to Port Wakefield boundary. The region houses about 1.5 million people—85 per cent of the state’s population. Premier Peter Malinauskas said “South Australia is on the cusp of an exciting economic future but to realise that potential we need to plan for where more people will live, work and play”. “By identifying areas of growth and preserving land for future infrastructure, we are saving taxpayers money and helping appropriately budget for the long term.” ▲ Villawood Properties chief executive Alan Miller welcomed the announcements. “The GARP shows the Government means business when it comes to housing supply, which is excellent for South Australia,” Villawood Properties chief executive Alan Miller told The Urban Developer . “In terms of the future, for planning, for transport and for expansion, it’s great. There are some infrastructure announcements, such as rail corridors, which is also good to see. “The Government’s really pushing ahead, which is a real positive for developers like us because it means we can plan our future.” One development already addressing housing supply is the Playford Alive East project at Munno Para in Adelaide’s north. The site is in the GARP-designated Kudla growth area and Northern Park Lands. The state has assigned 71ha for more than 1300 new homes over the next eight years, with at least 30 per cent (about 390) being affordable homes. Around $25 million will also be put into local infrastructure, including $15 million for upgrades to Curtis Road. The Playford Alive expansion in Munno Para, 30km north of Adelaide, represents a significant acceleration of one of Australia’s largest urban renewal projects. Renewal SA plans to release about 240 allotments yearly over eight years, in response to high demand. ▲ Artist ’ s impression of the Munno Para development. Image: Renewal SA The project’s eastern extension is happening on the back of a year of record sales in 2024—up 63 per cent on the previous year. Champion said, “We’re really trying to bring a housing supply to a very, very tight sales and rental market. We know that supply is our only way out of a housing crisis”. The GARP notably removes the former objective that targeted 85 per cent of future housing as infill projects. Instead, it identifies strategic infill sites that will be managed by the Department for Housing and Urban Development, while pushing for new housing areas either already connected to infrastructure or located where future investment is planned. The plan also preserves land for future hospitals, roads, public transport, schools, and emergency services, avoiding future acquisition costs. It includes provisions for increased tree canopy coverage to 30 per cent by 2055 and aligns with South Australia’s Transport Strategy and 20-Year State Infrastructure Strategy. “Adelaide is growing, and this is the plan for how we manage that growth,” Champion said. Residential projects supported by a $70-million funding boost through the National Housing Support Program are advancing in metropolitan and regional areas across the state. Other significant developments include the Seaton Renewal Project’s 1450 planned homes, a $1-billion transformation of the former West End Brewery site at Thebarton, and new subdivisions in Mount Gambier and Ingle Farm.

South Australia Unveils 315,000 Home Development Plan

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South Australia Unveils 315,000 Home Development Plan

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