The skyline of West Lakes could become much more vertical, with a rezoning process for a proposal that could deliver up to 2000 new homes alongside Westfield in West Lakes now underway.
The West Lakes Strategic Infill Code Amendment will investigate changes to planning rules that would allow medium and high-density residential development across underutilised parts of the Westfield shopping centre.
Under the proposal, the shopping centre would continue operating while expanding into a mixed-use precinct featuring new apartment buildings, public spaces and improved amenities. Building heights of up to 20 storeys will be considered as part of the planning process.
The site has been identified as a key location for increased housing development due to its existing transport links and infrastructure.
Situated next to the West Lakes Bus Interchange, the centre has direct services to the Adelaide CBD, connections to the rail network, and access to metropolitan cycling routes and Coast Park.
Westfield West Lakes currently encompasses more than 71,000 square metres of retail floor space and is serviced by nearly 4000 car parks. Existing road connections via Brebner Drive and Turner Drive are expected to accommodate future development.
The project aligns with the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan, which identifies the West Lakes Centre and Seaton State Significant Infill Area as priorities for higher-density housing development integrated with employment, retail and community services.
The proposal also comes as Adelaide's western suburbs prepare for growth linked to the AUKUS defence program on the nearby LeFevre Peninsula, where thousands of jobs are expected to be created over the coming decades.
Scentre Group, which owns and operates Westfield West Lakes, said the development would help increase housing supply in a location already supported by established infrastructure and services.
Chief executive Elliott Rusanow welcomed the rezoning process, saying the group supported efforts to increase housing supply in areas already connected to infrastructure and services.
"Our long-term vision is to create new housing while enhancing the public spaces, connectivity and amenities that make Westfield West Lakes such an important part of the Adelaide community," he said.
The company has pursued similar mixed-use redevelopment projects at shopping centre sites interstate, including developments in Canberra and Sydney.
Industry groups have also backed the proposal with Master Builders SA chief executive Will Frogley describing the redevelopment as a "common-sense" measure to boost housing supply, saying unlocking the potential of the West Lakes shopping centre would benefit homebuyers, construction workers and retailers.
"What we especially like about this announcement is it has an eye firmly on the future and the myriad of job opportunities at the nearby defence precinct," Mr Frogley said.
He said the proposal represented a coordinated and strategic approach to addressing both housing demand and economic growth.
Detailed investigations, community engagement and stakeholder consultation will now be undertaken before a draft code amendment is released for formal public consultation.
