Church Reveals 91-Home Precinct for SA’s Everard Park

A South Australian faith community has revealed plans to unlock the development potential of its land portfolio.

The Churches of Christ has proposed an $85-million, 91-home redevelopment of a lot at Everard Park, part of Adelaide’s City of Unley.

The project comprises a five-storey building of 74 apartments, including 12 allocated to affordable housing, on a block next to an Opal HealthCare facility, as well as 17 two-storey, terrace-style detached homes.

The 9350sq m site at 28-36 Norman Terrace and 24-28 Fourth Avenue, is about 5km from the CBD.

The Churches of Christ proposal puts forward a total of 2889sq m of residential and community floor space. The site now holds 12 dilapidated residences.

Typologies in the proposal are 12 one, 57 two and 5 three-bedroom apartments, as well as the terrace houses. Apartment sizes range from 55sq m to 126sq m.

The proponent is a joint venture with Churches of Christ as a partner, along with developer Catcorp.

Opal is concurrently pursuing a redevelopment of its neighbouring site to incorporate a four-storey building, and the “evolution of designs for the site has been undertaken in collaboration and recognition” with Opal’s project, according to the Churches of Christ application.

The Opal site was the subject of a controversial proposal in 2020 to amend height limits, and allow the construction of a six-storey aged-care facility under then-owner LifeCare Park Rose Village. Campaigning by the community led to height limits being capped at four storeys and the project did not proceed.

According to Catcorp, the two current proposals were developed with respect to one another’s built form and a minor exchange of land and realignment of boundaries would take place under the development process.

▲ The City of Unley is planning a $300-million precinct on King William Road.

Catcorp development manager Tom DuRieu told The Urban Developer that Catcorp “continue a positive relationship within the Unley Council and community” and that the JV proponents are “looking forward to bringing this project to life in 2026”.

Frontage along Norman Terrace, facing a tram stop, has been dedicated to a public open reserve, as suggested by the council. The application proposes 109 parking spaces, above the local code’s requirement of 90, as well as 46 bicycle parking spaces.

DuRieu said that the submission “includes a community park that links the development and adjoining existing homes through to the local tram stop that provides access to the CBD and Glenelg”.

Along with developing its own facilities, the broader Churches of Christ community has also demonstrated an openness to deals involving land to support affordable housing. However, state-based branches operate separately and have their own development policies and strategies.

The City of Unley has been pushing ahead with rezoning and transformation, including plans for a $300-million mixed-use precinct on King William Road. Catcorp has been active in the area, with particular focus on apartments.

Opal also filed plans this year for a 2.86ha redevelopment of the Julia Farr Centre in nearby Malvern.