About 400 additional homes could be built at the Malinauskas Labor Government's Southwark Grounds development on Port Road, boosting the total number of homes from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.
The Minister for Planning has now signed the Southwark Grounds Code Amendment, which will increase the number of homes by raising maximum building heights from 8 levels to 14 levels on the eastern section and 12 levels across the remainder of the site, with minimum heights ranging from 2-4 levels.
The code amendment was implemented through an early commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.
One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.
Samaras' development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.
The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.
Most of the apartments at the former West End Brewery site will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.
Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA's 17 Founder's Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas this year.
Renewal SA have received more than 12,000 enquiries about living at Southwark Grounds.
Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well connected public spaces.
As put by Nick Champion
Southwark Grounds is one of the greatest urban renewal opportunities this state has ever seen. We are not going to squander it.
We are doing everything we can to increase housing supply to build more homes for South Australians. By increasing building heights, we will see a significant boost in the number of homes that will be delivered at Southwark.
We are in a national housing crisis. South Australians deserve a government that will come up with bold, ambitious solutions to increase housing supply.
That means building up in the right locations - close to the city, close to transport and close to jobs – and making a real and lasting impact on the housing challenge facing South Australia.
Our political opponents criticised us for buying the former West End Brewery site. They would've been happy to see this land lay vacant for years.
Instead, by the end of this year, the first residents will have moved in, with thousands more to follow over the coming years.
