An affordable housing boom will be delivered in Adelaide’s north as the next stage of a major housing development is rolled out, paving the way for more South Australians to access housing sooner.
249 new homes will be built along a newly extended Newton Boulevard, at Munno Para – with 65 per cent listed as affordable, totalling 161 new affordable homes.
The Malinauskas Government is unlocking 16.6 hectares of land to deliver the much-needed mix of affordable purchase homes and rentals, which will be part of the Playford Alive master-planned community.
The affordable housing boost will enable more young families, single parents and key workers to break into the market – with allotments sold at or below the affordable price point for land, which currently sits at $187,650.
First homebuyers in this bracket will benefit from the stamp duty exemption after it was lifted to $650,000 in the June State Budget.
Government agency Renewal SA, which owns the land, will also deliver 25 houses as affordable rentals – leased to tenants at less than 75 per cent of market rent and managed by a Community Housing Provider – to further ease pressure on supply.
Early works on site will begin within six months, with construction of the first homes set to start in August 2024 and residents expected to move in from late 2025.
Approximately 150 jobs will be supported each year as works progress.
To fast-track development of the $40 million project – identified as part of the Malinauskas Government’s A Better Housing Future plan – Newton Boulevard will be extended to Stebonheath Road, creating a seamless corridor through to Mark Oliphant College while reducing traffic congestion on nearby Curtis Road.
This key infrastructure upgrade was submitted for federal support through the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund – but the urgent need to tackle the housing crisis has sparked immediate action, with the State’s investment now targeted to be fully offset by sales.
The vital community link builds on the Malinauskas Government’s $474.7 million plan to boost housing supply and affordability, including tax cuts for first homebuyers and a series of reforms addressing rental affordability and improving rights for tenants.
The new stage will be bound by Playford Lakes Golf Course to the north, wetlands along Curtis Road to the south, Stebonheath Road to the west and will adjoin the existing Playford Alive development area to the east.
Overseen by Renewal SA, Playford Alive encompasses about 500 hectares of greenfield land at Munno Para, Andrews Farm and Eyre, and urban renewal projects in Smithfield Plains and Davoren Park. On completion, around 40,000 people will call Playford Alive home.
Other affordable housing projects being delivered by the Government include Bowden (targeting 120 affordable apartments), Prospect (minimum 72 affordable rentals) and the Franklin Street development (at least 137 affordable homes).
Quotes
Attributable to Nick Champion
Affordable housing opens the door for South Australians to enter a market under significant pressure.
These new homes, surrounded by established amenities and transport links, will help meet growing demand in Adelaide’s north as we address the housing crisis.
We’re not just unlocking the land required – we’re putting in place the right infrastructure to support the local community, with new residents able to access a host of housing measures our Government has introduced.
Attributable to Tony Piccolo
This land release will help reduce the housing shortage in our area and aims to ease pressure on new housing prices and rentals.
The extension of Newton Boulevard is a win for residents and will improve access to local schools and shops while reducing congestion on Curtis Road.
Attributable to Renewal SA Executive Director Residential Project Delivery and Assets, Shane Wingard
Renewal SA has an important role to play in addressing the current housing affordability challenges by unlocking land and creating affordable sale and rental opportunities for low-income individuals and families.
This latest stage at Playford Alive provides an opening for a CHP to partner with government to manage important rental stock within the development, which will be offered at below-market rents for the likes of key workers so they can live close to where they work.
Attributable to City of Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty
Council has been advocating for the connection of Newton Boulevard to Stebonheath Road for a number of years.
It is pleasing to see the State Government integrate this into their plans, providing another route through the area and improving links to the local school, shopping centre and other community facilities.
Attributable to Urban Development Institute of Australia SA Chief Executive Liam Golding
The only way to address the housing affordability crisis is through urgent action. Action like stepping in to deliver vital road infrastructure now rather than waiting for lengthy bureaucratic processes.
It is great to see the Government recognise the key role infrastructure plays in unlocking development and we are confident this upfront provision of essential state infrastructure will support a terrific development and help bring new homes online sooner.
We look forward to this trend continuing as we work together to increase housing supply and improve affordability.
