Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Plan for Greater Adelaide?
- Why do we need a 30-year plan?
- What are the benefits for Greater Adelaide?
- Does the plan provide sufficient land for an expanding workforce?
- How was the Plan developed?
- How will the Plan be implemented?
- Can South Australia support a population of almost two million people, particularly with current water restrictions?
- What will happen to remaining native vegetation, near-city arable land and the coastline as the city keeps growing?
- Will this new urban development mean less open space?
- Will the Plan apply in my area?
- How will the Plan affect the way my community or township grows?
- Will development plans need to be consistent with the Plan?
- Will any land be compulsorily acquired under the provisions of the Plan?
- How does the Plan fit in with South Australia’s Strategic Plan?
- How does the global financial crisis affect these projections?
- How does the Plan address the issue of climate change?
- How does the Plan help to control urban sprawl?
- How will the Plan affect the region’s transport systems?
- Where will the schools and other amenities be located?
- Is there provision for affordable housing in the Plan?
- What are the provisions for industrial, commercial and retail land use?
- Will there be more greenfield developments on the city’s fringes?
- How much of Adelaide’s character and heritage will be affected?
- What has changed between the draft Plan and the final Plan?
- Why was the growth area of Concordia reduced?
- Can the town of Gawler sustain population growth?
- What is the status of the Buckland Park Major Development application?
- How is Bowering Hill being protected?
- How will the environment be protected?
- How will possible development in Cheetham and Dry Creek be managed?
- What is happening now to deliver the Plan?
The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide is one volume of the South Australian Planning Strategy, forming part of a series of volumes which cover all regions across the South Australia.
The Plan was prepared by the South Australian Government to set out a vision for the growth and development of the Greater Adelaide region during the next 30 years.
The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide brings together all the elements that need to be thought about and planned for Greater Adelaide to continue to be one of the best places to live in the world. It identifies how we will accommodate a growing and changing population and how we will strengthen and expand the economy. It outlines where people will live, where jobs will be located and where new transport and infrastructure will be provided. It describes how we will preserve the history and character of our existing neighbourhoods and suburbs, how we will protect our environmental heritage, and how we will respond to the risks and impacts of climate change.
The Plan prepares for steady population growth of 560,000 people, the construction of 258,000 more dwellings, the creation of 282,000 jobs, and economic growth of $128 billion over the next 30 years.
Greater Adelaide is the most populated part of South Australia. It is made up of seven State Government administrative regions, plus the regional township of Murray Bridge.
It is bordered by Victor Harbor and Goolwa in the south to the Barossa Valley in the north; from Gulf St Vincent in the west to the River Murray in the east (refer Question 10, Will the Plan apply in my area)
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, Chapter C (C1 and Table C1) and Maps D9
It is inevitable that South Australia and Greater Adelaide will undergo significant change during the next 30 years. We know our population will increase and we know its make-up will change — for example, there will be a greater proportion of older people. We know our economy will grow and change in line with external trends and we know that our environment is already under pressure.
If we don’t carefully plan for the way these changes will affect our region, we run the risk that growth will produce a more sprawling city with poorly located housing, inadequate public transport in some areas, insufficient land available for jobs and an overconsumption of our resources. Moreover, if growth occurs without a Plan we run the risk that new neighbourhoods and suburbs will spill haphazardly on to our vital primary production lands, our precious regional hinterland and our essential environmental and ecologically rich lands. The Plan will ensure that Greater Adelaide’s growth will improve our quality of life while preserving our heritage.
The Plan sets new benchmarks in urban planning by locating housing developments close to public transport networks, enabling us to create well-connected and safe neighbourhoods that allow people to work, shop and access services closer to where they live. Importantly, this will reduce our reliance on the car. Most of the proposed new housing will be in the established metropolitan area, and in transit-oriented developments along our transit corridors (see What are transit-oriented developments?). Transit-oriented developments collocate medium- and high-density residential housing, major retail and service outlets, and major employers around railway and tram stations and bus interchanges.
By the end of the 30 years, up to 70 per cent of new dwellings will be built in our current urban areas, with a focus on better use of our city’s public transport. Because the Plan will place most new housing into areas around transit corridors, 80 per cent of metropolitan Adelaide will remain largely unchanged as a result of the Plan.
Our fringe growth will also be well planned with new population centres connected to transport, infrastructure and employment opportunities. We are planning for both an affordable supply of housing and a broad range of housing choices.
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, ‘Key challenges and opportunities’, pages 8–11. Maps D4 and D5 show the major transit corridors and transit-oriented development sites.
One of the main objectives of the Plan is to build on the existing strengths of the Greater Adelaide region: our growing and diversifying economy, unique natural environment, competitive and affordable house prices, relatively easy access to jobs and services, and proximity to surrounding recreational areas including wineries, beaches and heritage townships. The combination of these features makes Greater Adelaide one of the most liveable places in the world and one of the most competitive places in Australia for business.
During the next 30 years, however, we face some challenges. Our population will grow at a moderate level compared to other Australian capital cities but its make-up will change dramatically. There will be a greater proportion of people aged over 65 and also of single people and couples without children. This means we will need to plan for the expansion of health services and aged-care facilities as well as a higher number of smaller houses located near shops, services and transport.
Our economy will continue to change as new technologies emerge and as the structure of the global economy alters. In response, we need to plan for new types of industries and jobs, and make sure that we have enough land for job creation and the expansion of key industries.
We must act now to preserve and enhance our environmental assets, be more efficient with our use of water and energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our buildings. South Australia has the opportunity to become a world leader in renewable energy and clean technology, creating the jobs of the future and gaining a competitive advantage over other jurisdictions.
We must concentrate on new development in existing urban areas to make the best use of existing and future transit corridors, while encouraging innovative and world-class design to ensure we make the best use of precious resources like water and preserve green open space for everyone to enjoy.
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, pages 14–16 and Maps D2 and D15.
The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide sets aside 5,300 hectares of new and existing regional employment land to support the target for a projected new 282,000 jobs during the next 30 years.
It is essential that sufficient land is provided for the jobs of the future and that land-use policies allow key sectors to grow and change in response to national and global trends. In competing for labour at a global level it will be important to plan for a region where people are able to access employment close to home to balance work and life choices.
Since 1990, the South Australian economy has grown by 130 per cent in nominal terms and 50 per cent in real terms. It has also significantly restructured and diversified: growth sectors include finance and insurance, information and communication technology (ICT), defence, renewable energy and clean technology.
The traditional industries of primary production and mining remain critical elements of the economy. In particular, there has been significant growth in mining exploration in the past decade. The heavy manufacturing sector has declined during the past two decades; however, there are opportunities for significant growth in a more diversified manufacturing sector.
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, Chapter B, pages 28-29, Chapter D, Policies and Targets, ‘The economy and jobs’. Map D10 shows the regional distribution of jobs and designated employment lands.
The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide has been prepared in consultation with Local Government authorities and relevant State Government agencies. The process started 16-months ago (in October 2008) and included a series of workshops with State Government agencies and Local Government and some non-government groups. The main focuses of the workshops were population, housing and jobs targets, regional distribution and the major infrastructure priorities. The State Government is committed to a long-term partnership with Local Government to help shape the spatial development of Greater Adelaide and the Plan’s implementation.
Industry and council feedback from emerging policy directions were incorporated, along with research and investigative work focusing on key areas of social, economic and environmental sustainability.
The Premier and Minister for Urban Development and Planning, together with consultant KPMG led a briefing of key stakeholders in business, the non-government sector and the planning industry on 5 July. Elected members of Local Government in the Greater Adelaide area were also invited to attend a briefing on the draft Plan on 6 July. Eight regional briefings were also held in July and September for community interest groups and council staff.
The draft Plan was released for public consultation in July 2009 for about 13 weeks, with consultation finishing on 30 September 2009. An advertising campaign, dedicated website and hard copies as well as CD-ROMs of the Plan were available. More than 570 submissions were received and these helped to shape The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide.
State Government agencies will partner with Local Government to implement the Plan’s objectives.
The Plan will be used by State Government agencies and private infrastructure providers to plan infrastructure and services for the next 30 years. It will also be used by councils to guide development decisions and infrastructure planning at the local level.
The Department of Planning and Local Government is the lead agency responsible for implementing the Plan. The department will establish a committee of State Government chief executives to work with Local Government and trouble shoot complex infrastructure matters. This Government Planning and Coordination Committee (GPCC) will ensure that unnecessary bureaucratic delays are avoided and consult with local government and the private sector to secure the necessary infrastructure to support the policy directions of the Plan.
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, Chapter F, Governance and Implementation, page 180.
We cannot ignore the fact that South Australia’s population is growing. It also needs to keep growing to support our ageing population and changing demographics. With more than 40 per cent of our current labour force retiring in the next 20 years, South Australia needs a younger population to maintain and create employment and support the broader population.
The South Australian Government recently released Water for Good – A Plan to Ensure our Water Future to 2050, which will help to secure our water supplies. Water for Good includes additional capacity for the new Adelaide desalination plant, which means that it will be able to supply 100 gigalitres a year—about half of Greater Adelaide’s potable water supply—by the end of 2012.
A combination of the actions outlined in Water for Good and the new water-efficient urban form identified in the Plan for Greater Adelaide, will ensure that the region has enough water to meet the needs of a growing population and economy (for more information on Water for Good refer www.waterforgood.sa.gov.au).
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, Chapter D, Policies and Targets, ‘Water’, page 141. Map D22 shows investigation areas for potential stormwater harvesting schemes.
A well-planned approach to urban development will stop further encroachment into high value primary production lands and preserve the character and heritage of smaller townships.
The Plan aims to protect up to 375,000 hectares of farming land and at least 115,000 hectares of environmentally significant land in the Greater Adelaide region.
The protection of environmental assets and the region’s overall biodiversity is an essential platform of the Plan. A healthy ecology and rich biodiversity not only achieve environmental protection in their own right, but also create a more liveable city, which strengthens the region’s competitive advantage.
The Plan proposes that development applications will be streamlined into one assessment process, integrating the requirements of the Native Vegetation Act 1991 (in areas where it applies) and the Development Act 1993.
The Plan integrates coastal protection requirements under the Coast Protection Act 1972, Marine Parks Act 2007, Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act 2005, Fisheries Management Act 2007 and relevant provisions of the River Murray Act 2003.
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, Chapter D, Policies and Targets, ‘Biodiversity’, page 127. Map D19 shows areas of environmental significance.
The Plan recognises open space as a key component of accessible, liveable, healthy cities, neighbourhoods and surrounding townships. A network of “greenways” and open space precincts are envisaged in the new growth areas and where land is identified in the metropolitan area for redevelopment. Transit corridor developments will include walking, cycling and green spaces for greater amenity.
This network of open spaces will link parks, reserves, public facilities, watercourses, areas of significant vegetation and coastal foreshore areas. Areas dedicated to green space include an area between the northern suburbs and the town of Gawler.
The Plan will expand on the Metropolitan Open Space System (MOSS), which covers the Adelaide Park Lands in the city, Hills Face Zone, northern (Gawler) and southern (O’Halloran Hill) urban buffers, major watercourses crossing metropolitan Adelaide (linear parks) and coastal foreshore (Coast Park).
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, Chapter D, Policies and Targets, ‘Open space, sport and recreation’, page 130. Map D20 shows the Greater Adelaide Open Space System and Map D16 the bike path network.
Greater Adelaide is an attractive, liveable and prosperous region of 9050 square kilometres. It has a population of about 1.3 million people—just over 80 per cent of the South Australian total—and provides 68 per cent of the state’s employment. The Plan covers seven State Government Administrative Regions plus the Rural City of Murray Bridge (and incorporates 27 council areas). They are:
- Western Adelaide (West Torrens, Charles Sturt, part of Port Adelaide-Enfield)
- Northern Adelaide (Playford, Salisbury, Tea Tree Gully, part of Port Adelaide-Enfield)
- Southern Adelaide (Holdfast Bay, Marion, Onkaparinga, Mitcham)
- Eastern Adelaide (Burnside, Norwood-Payneham-St Peters, Campbelltown, Prospect, Walkerville, Unley, Adelaide)
- Fleurieu (Yankalilla, Victor Harbor, Alexandrina. Kangaroo Island is excluded from the Plan as it has its own planning strategy)
- Adelaide Hills (Adelaide Hills, Mount Barker) plus the regional township of Murray Bridge
- Barossa (Gawler, Barossa, Mallala, Light).
A list of these areas can be found on the Department of Planning and Local Government’s website www.dplg.sa.gov.au or obtained from your local council.
Refer the Plan for Greater Adelaide, Map A1, South Australian Government Administrative Regions.
Under the Plan we will see more varied and higher-density housing in strategic locations, upgraded transport systems and a more diverse mixture of urban and semi-rural land use. This will help to address the need for new residential, commercial and industrial development while fully utilising the land available in the Greater Adelaide area.
Because most new development will be medium-density housing in transit corridors, 80 per cent of metropolitan Adelaide will remain largely unchanged as a result of the Plan. The character of existing neighbourhoods will also be preserved.
New growth areas will include a mixture of dwelling types, including an increased supply of smaller dwellings, in response to changes in the make-up of our population.
The Plan seeks to create vibrant and liveable communities, while protecting the regional hinterlands and primary production lands, and sustaining natural resources.
Finally, the Plan will be one of the key tools to assist the State Government, Local Government and the entire community in building resilience to the risks and impacts of climate change. It will be used by the State Government to guide the planning and delivery of services and infrastructure, such as transport, health, schools and community facilities.
Yes. The Plan, as part of the State’s Planning Strategy, will guide the preparation of Development Plans by councils. Under the requirements of the Development Act 1993, councils will need to incorporate the strategic directions and land use policies of the Plan into their Development Plans.
Land rezoning will occur through a Development Plan Amendment, which would be put out to public consultation. Rezoning for new land supply will be informed by the Housing and Employment Land Supply Program (the revitalised and extended Metropolitan Development Program). This program provides estimates of future population levels, land supply, infrastructure requirements and development priorities, which are revised from time to time to reflect contemporary trends.
The Plan will build on the State’s Strategic Infrastructure Plan by integrating land-use priorities with long-term transport and infrastructure planning for Greater Adelaide.
The State Government and the Department of Planning and Local Government in particular will work closely with Local Government to identify major infrastructure priorities to support housing and employment growth. Work is also continuing to make sure that Development Plans and council Strategic Management Plans are consistent with the regional targets and directions of the Plan.
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, Chapter F, Governance and Implementation.
No. The Plan does not make any provisions for compulsory land acquisition, which can only occur in limited circumstances and is dealt with under separate legislation through the Land Acquisition Act 1969.
The Plan is a dynamic spatial expression of South Australia’s Strategic Plan (2007). It will be used by the State Government to guide the planning and delivery of services and infrastructure, such as transport, health, schools and community facilities.
The South Australian Planning Strategy (of which the Plan is a part) is integrated with, and should be read in conjunction with, other State Government plans, including the Strategic Infrastructure Plan for South Australia (2005–06), the Housing Plan for South Australia (2005), Water for Good – A Plan to Ensure our Water Future to 2050 (2009), the Economic Statement (2009), the State Natural Resources Management Plan (2006) and South Australia’s Waste Strategy (2005).
Section 22 of the Development Act 1993 requires the State Government to publish the South Australian Planning Strategy.
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, Appendix 5, Contribution of the Plan to South Australia’s Strategic Plan targets.
The Greater Adelaide region has enjoyed a decade of strong economic growth and industry diversification, and a strong economic future is forecast for the state. The pace and nature of the predicted growth will change, however, because of the global economic downturn. As a result, the Plan grapples with two issues. Firstly, it aims to create greater flexibility in land use to allow industries to change and restructure. Second, it is expected to invigorate the economy by stimulating employment in housing, infrastructure and related activities. As the economy continues to grow, the Plan will create the platform to fast-track economic growth and increased investment through an efficient planning system and a clear strategy about where growth will occur.
This positive intervention should give South Australia and Greater Adelaide a competitive advantage over other jurisdictions as the national economy recovers from the global financial crisis.
Responding to the risks and impacts of climate change is a critical part of the Plan. The Plan outlines specific policies and targets to address the impacts of climate change in Greater Adelaide and to prepare the groundwork for long-term adaptation; however, many other components of the Plan will contribute to the region’s climate change resilience. The new urban form will make one of the most important contributions to both reducing the growth of greenhouse gas emissions and creating environments that are more liveable in the likely event of hotter temperatures, extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels.
The Plan has an important role to play in encouraging less use of private vehicles, new carbon-efficient industries and green technologies. Decisions about land use, such as setting aside land for renewable energy industries and changing building standards to encourage new technologies, need to be made to allow these new industries and technologies to flourish.
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, Chapter D, Policies and Targets, ‘Climate change’.
During the 30 years of the Plan, the ratio of new dwelling construction will gradually move from a 50:50 split between existing areas and new growth areas on the fringe to a ratio closer to 70:30.
Part of this goal will be met by streamlining planning for higher density new housing at strategic locations within 800 metres of a major transit corridor or near major public transport interchanges.
This new residential development will feature a greater mixture of dwelling types—such as low-rise attached townhouses and villas, medium-density housing (low-rise well-designed apartment blocks) and traditional styles such as single detached houses. The increase in densities in established areas will focus on locations near shops, railway stations, tram and bus interchanges, and along the major transit corridors. It also will support increased levels of residential accommodation in the City of Adelaide and revitalisation of other major activity centres in the metropolitan area.
Over the lifetime of the Plan, the focus of new development will gradually shift from fringe growth precincts to revitalised areas in the metropolitan region, including transit-oriented developments.
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, Chapter D, Policies and Targets, ‘New transit corridors, growth areas, transit-oriented developments and activity centres’.
The Plan complements the State Government’s commitment to invest more than $11 billion on infrastructure over four years, including Adelaide’s public transport system.
The integration of transport and land-use planning is essential to achieve the new urban form. The intention of the Plan is to create a transit-focused city for the efficient movement of people, goods and services. The policies and targets in the Plan for transport, housing, the economy and jobs all support each other.
The aim is to take advantage of existing transport networks and to align the land-use priorities for housing and jobs with the investment and expansion of the public transport network that is foreshadowed for the next 10 years. By arranging our neighbourhoods to make it easy for people to use public transport, the Plan will financially support the upgrading and extension of the network.
Refer the Plan for Greater Adelaide, Chapter D Policies and Targets, ‘Transport’. Map D14 shows Mass transit infrastructure.
Schools will be an integral part of the planning for new residential developments. These plans will include housing and employment options, health and education facilities, hospitals, public transport, walkways, parks and gardens.
The Plan will also be used by State Government agencies to guide the planning and delivery of services and infrastructure such as transport, health, schools and community facilities.
Refer the Plan for Greater Adelaide, Chapter D Policies and Targets, ‘Infrastructure’. Map D17 shows Major planned infrastructure expenditure (public and private)’.
Adelaide has the potential to maintain its competitive advantage as one of the most affordable residential destinations in Australia. The State Government has set a goal that 15 per cent of new dwellings in Greater Adelaide will be accessible to low- and moderate-income groups, including younger workers and older people who might want to downsize into smaller, low-maintenance, well-located housing.
The Plan’s target is to provide about 38,700 new low-cost homes in Greater Adelaide over the 30 years. Of these homes, about one-third will be for high-needs residents and two-thirds for broader affordable purposes.
The Plan aims to integrate affordable housing into most new residential developments. Emphasis on walkable neighbourhoods and easy access to services will improve the amenity of new housing developments.
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, Chapter D, Policies and Targets, ‘Affordable housing’.
The Plan will protect key existing, and provide for new, employment lands. A primary function of the Plan is to attract investment to Greater Adelaide by clarifying where growth will occur and improving the efficiency of government decision-making. A detailed set of land-use policies will increase investment opportunities by offering consistency in planning regulations.
New quality design requirements will apply to commercial, industrial and retail precincts, many of which will be located in mixed residential areas. The new urban form will be characterised by different land uses, for example, street-facing shops and services located under medium-density residential apartments around railway, tram or bus stations.
Anticipating the rising demand for new homes as a result of population and jobs growth, the State Government has earmarked a 25-year rolling supply of land. The Plan also includes the proposal for rezoning some land in the metropolitan area and investigating new growth areas for urban development.
About 14,400 hectares of gross land supply (10,800 hectares net supply, minus the 25 per cent buffer) beyond the existing urban and township boundaries have been identified as new growth areas. They include Mount Barker, Victor Harbor, Goolwa and Hindmarsh Island, and, north of the city, Two Wells, Roseworthy, Concordia, Buckland Park / Buckland Park South, Virginia, Angle Vale, Cheetham / Globe Derby Park and the Playford North extension.
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, Chapter D, Policies and Targets, ‘New transit corridors, growth areas, transit-oriented developments and activity centres’.
About 80 per cent of the metropolitan area will remain largely unchanged as a result of the Plan. The focus of the Plan is to create a more compact and efficient city during the next 30 years and decouple growth and unsustainable resource consumption.
The heritage and character of Greater Adelaide will be protected, with more than half of all new housing in the metropolitan area expected to be concentrated along transit corridors. Structure Plans will need to demonstrate that new proposals do not compromise the existing character of an area. The urban design policies in the Plan reinforce this.
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, Chapter D Policies and Targets, ‘Urban design’.
Public and industry consultation has been vital to better appreciate how people want to see Greater Adelaide grow and adapt during the next 30 years.
It has led to inclusion in the Plan of a range of changes. Some technical changes have been made that result from comments received relating to the depiction of information and data in maps, along with clarification of some of the language in the Plan.
Many of the policies have been rearranged, expanded, removed or combined with other policies to improve the flow of the document, to avoid duplication with other policies contained in the latter parts of the Plan, and to clarify the intent of the policy.
Two new principles—one emphasising protection of our natural resources and the other stating a commitment to community engagement—have been added to the principles in the draft Plan.
Key changes to the distribution of population, jobs and housing targets include:
- 11,000 people added to the population target for the Adelaide City centre. This addition is made up by reducing the population targets of the Eastern Region by 4000 people and the Western Region by 7000 people.
- 7,000 jobs added to the employment target for the Adelaide City centre. This addition is made up by reducing the employment targets of the Eastern Region by 1000 jobs and the Western Region by 6000 jobs.
- A reduction of 29,000 people (10,600 dwellings) in the Barossa Region population target and an additional 29,000 people (10,600 dwellings) in the Northern Region.
The governance and implementation arrangements to deliver the Plan have been refined, including specific reference to the Government Planning and Coordination Committee.
Policies regarding climate change have been strengthened and a new section on emergency management and hazard avoidance has been added. Policies on new metropolitan and township growth areas have been clarified. Additional policies have been included to address the impact of population growth on primary production in peri-urban areas and close to townships.
The quality of communities and the importance of social inclusion have been further highlighted.
The size of the Concordia growth area was reduced to limit the impact of population growth on the town of Gawler. Limiting the growth area will help to retain Gawler’s town character and limit traffic through the town centre.
The population target for the Barossa Region is 110,000 people (reduced by 29,000 people proposed in the draft Plan). Not all of this growth is located adjacent to the town of Gawler and includes some growth at Two Wells, Mallala, Lyndoch and Tanunda. However, some growth within and adjacent to the town of Gawler is necessary to increase the population threshold in Gawler to support the provision of infrastructure and services.
Significant growth will occur in the new growth area at Roseworthy to the north of Gawler. Development at Roseworthy will be planned to be sustainable and self sufficient to ensure that new residents will not be reliant on existing services and infrastructure within the town of Gawler. This population will benefit from employment opportunities at Kingsford Industrial Estate, which will be integrated into the Roseworthy growth area.
The growth area of Roseworthy and growth areas in and adjacent to Gawler have collectively been designated a State Significant Area and will be subject to structure planning. Oversight of this process by the Government Planning and Coordination Committee will ensure that infrastructure and service provision is planned, integrated and organised for timely delivery with development.
Buckland Park has undergone assessment as a Major Project and has been approved by the Governor. It’s inclusion in the Plan is necessary to factor in growth in that area.
The Plan also integrates the Buckland Park development with expanded growth areas at Virginia, subject to structure planning. Oversight of this process by the Government Planning and Coordination Committee will ensure that infrastructure and service provision is planned, integrated and organised for timely delivery with development. For further information see the Minister’s press release.
The Plan clearly designates Bowering Hill for agriculture, viticulture, tourism, tourist accommodation or biodiversity related uses. The Minister for Urban Development and Planning, as well as the Minister for the Southern Suburbs, have stated that Bowering Hill will not be developed for urban purposes.
The protection and enhancement of environmental assets and the region’s overall biodiversity are essential platforms of the Plan.
A healthy ecology and rich biodiversity not only achieve environmental protection in their own right, but also create a more liveable city, which strengthens the region’s competitive advantage.
While expanding our working- age population, we also need to protect our state’s natural environment and primary production areas. This means containing urban sprawl and planning for new housing within vibrant higher-density neighbourhoods that reinvigorate a sense of community.
We will:
- protect at least 115,000 hectares of environmentally significant land and up to 375,000 hectares of primary production land.
- create a network of greenways and open-space precincts, including designating green buffers that define the area between the town of Gawler, the northern suburbs and new growth areas.
- significantly reduce the rate of water and energy consumption in all new dwellings.
- support our national leadership position in the renewable energy sector and position South Australia to export green energy to other states and territories.
- develop suburbs and neighbourhoods which are connected and represent the world’s best practice in sustainability and urban design.
While Cheetham has been identified as a growth area, any development at Cheetham will be subject to further investigation, assessment and public consultation. A proponent for development will need to satisfy all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements including those of the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act as part of the development assessment process.
Work is already underway with the Department of Planning and Local Government collaborating with several councils to ensure a 15-year supply of land, zoned for residential and employment development.
In Mount Barker, work is underway to determine how changes to land use zoning could help to manage and coordinate ongoing demand for residential land in the township. Any changes would need to continue to attract population up to the appropriate threshold, enabling the expansion of services in the Adelaide Hills.
An additional 4500 people (2000 dwellings) have also been allocated to Murray Bridge to allow for a reduction in the population target for the remainder of the Adelaide Hills region (including Mount Barker).
A new township at Roseworthy, is expected to accommodate population and employment growth in Adelaide’s north over the next 30 years. The Roseworthy township will have the attention of the GPCC to coordinate the provision of infrastructure to the area in consultation with councils and the private sector.
South of Adelaide, the City of Onkaparinga’s Noarlunga Regional Centre Structure Plan will revitalize Noarlunga Centre and deliver employment and housing targets within the southern transit corridor. Plans for Noarlunga have been designed to make the most of a region that boasts vineyards, the sea and a growing retail precinct on its door-step.
The draft Structure Plan was prepared by the council through collaboration with State Government agencies. Public consultation showed strong support for the plan, intended to guide future development within Noarlunga Centre as well as the redevelopment of key sites, primarily the station precinct. The Land Management Corporation is now working with council to coordinate delivery of the structure plan.
An urban renewal project to breath new life into neighborhoods along Churchill Road, will be the focus of the first stage of structure planning for Adelaide’s northern transit corridor. The intention is to revitalize areas close to transport links on the Gawler Central line, providing a vibrant environment, encouraging residents and visitors to walk around the area.
A State Government and City of Prospect partnership is focusing on the redevelopment of key sites adjacent to Regency Road, for a mix of employment and residential uses.
Structure Plans will be prepared to guide the future development of the strategically important northern economic corridor from Gillman to Penfield, as well as the northwest transit corridor. These plans will guide investment, attracting further residential and industrial growth, through the expansion of the Edinburgh Parks industrial precinct.
To maximise the benefits of the tramline extension down Port Road, and the direct link to the CBD once the extension is complete, work is also underway to canvass redevelopment opportunities along Port Road.
Residents who take advantage of increased housing opportunities in this north-west corridor, could also benefit from the proposed transfer of the SA Water Thebarton depot back to Park Lands. The site has been vacated and it is intended to transfer the 5.4 hectares of land in the western Park lands to the care, control and management of the Adelaide City Council so it can be transformed into an urban forest.
The State Government is contributing towards the project which will feature cycling linkages through the site, storm water harvesting, on-site recycling of materials for mulch and creek lining as well as gateways and palm trees, welcoming those who visit a vibrant and unique urban forest.
Further Information
What is a Development Plan?
Development Plans contain the zones, maps and written rules or policies that guide property owners and others as to what can and cannot be done in future on any piece of land in the area covered.
Development Plans are the principal document used in South Australia to assess development. They promote the provisions of the SA Planning Strategy and often include planning and development objectives and principles.
What is a transit corridor?
Transit corridors refer to the areas surrounding rail lines, light-rail lines or main bus routes. There are two types of transit corridors. They are:
- major transit corridors, defined as up to 800 metres either side of a designated fixed-line public transport corridor, including train, tram and O-Bahn bus
- other transit corridors generally located along major roads capable of long-term mass transit potential and serving areas of significant regeneration potential.
Transit corridors are key locations for urban development because they allow town planners to utilize existing infrastructure when determining the location of new houses and industry, which, in turn, improves efficiency and economic productivity.
What are transit-oriented developments?
As Adelaide’s population and economy expand in coming decades, the State Government, through The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, has recognised the need for urban planning that maximises available space, minimises urban sprawl and breathes new life into old residential, commercial and industrial areas.
In line with Adelaide’s reputation and position as a modern, sustainable and competitive capital city, its residential and commercial communities are being re-energised through the creation of vibrant communities that are great places to live, work and do business.
These new urban villages will also be beacons that attract people to their unique attributes, in the same way that places like Norwood or Glenelg or Salisbury or Marion do today.
The $2.6 billion investment in a state-of-the-art public transport system in South Australia is supporting Adelaide’s sustainable growth by re-connecting these communities with new trams, trains and buses.
Transit-oriented developments, or TODs, are key features of the new urban planning that delivers places for people. In general, a TOD involves a mix of uses at various densities – such as housing, services and employment – within walking distance of rail, light rail and bus services.
Successful TODs are close-to-everything urban villages that involve more than just transit corridors. These developments:
- create attractive neighbourhoods;
- offer an array of housing and shopping choices alongside transport choices;
- provide convenient access to jobs, services and amenities;
- generate value for communities and individuals.
TODs will deliver people a range of exciting housing choices with a high quality of life and less impact on the environment.
The 30-Year Plan calls for development of 14 new TODs and more than 20 sites that incorporate TOD principles and characteristics.
What is the difference between Structure Plans and Precinct Requirements?
Structure Plans will be used to set the land-use priorities and directions for large areas such as major transit corridors and new and regenerated urban growth areas, and will establish the range of permissible uses and contain the key land use objectives and design principles for these areas. Structure Plans will identify major transport routes, design guidelines and outcomes, and the major infrastructure needed to support the proposed growth pattern for the area.
Within a broad structure plan there may be individual sites identified that require more detailed planning– e.g. transit-oriented developments, activity centres, greenfield sites.
These sites will undergo precinct planning whereby Precinct Requirements will be developed that set performance criteria for new urban development. Precinct Requirements might include detailed design parameters of the area, numbers of dwellings and densities, urban design requirements, detailed designs and elevations for large buildings and transport linkages, etc.
Areas subject to precinct planning and Precinct Requirements will allow developers to lodge Precinct Development Applications which address the required outcomes of both the Structure Plan and Precinct Requirements. Developers willing to make the necessary infrastructure investment and/or amalgamate sites may benefit from a faster approvals process.
The intent of both Structure Plans and Precinct Requirements is to resolve the major policy and zoning issues and main objectives and outcomes for an area early in the planning process, and facilitate greater use of complying development provisions in the Development Plan. This approach aims to give certainty to investors about the types of activities that are allowed in an area as well as engaging the community early in the decision making process.
Refer The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, Chapter F, Governance and Implementation.
