Scheme to Unlock 10,000-Plus Homes in SA Moves Ahead

A scheme that will unlock land for 10,000 homes north of Adelaide has been approved.

The Concordia Basic Infrastructure Scheme’s draft outline encompasses roads, bridges, water, sewerage, electricity, communications networks and stormwater management, outlining how it will be funded, planned and delivered as residential development projects are undertaken.

It will mean the trunk infrastructure can be provided despite fragmented land ownership across the 995sq m of land set aside for the Concordia project, 40km from the SA capital.

Landowners and developers will contribute to the cost of infrastructure under the scheme and clear funding arrangements are set out in the scheme.

It is hoped the scheme will prevent delays with projects due to piecemeal development of infrastructure.

The Concordia growth area is expected to comprise 10,000 to 12,000 homes over the next 30 years for a population of up to 30,000 new residents.

A code amendment for a masterplan that proposes a new town centre, multiple shopping precincts with main streets, affordable housing and a variety of housing types and densities has also been greenlit.

The amendment also includes recreational open space, a 24ha employment zone for business, commercial and light industry and education, community and emergency services.

There will also be new planning rules to provide new greening regulations around protecting and planting trees.

▲ Render of the masterplan vision for Concordia, 40km north of Adelaide.

It will introduce a new method of setting land aside for schools, community and emergency services and creating concept plans for essential service locations and land use.

Rezoning will not occur until infrastructure needs, costs, funding mechanisms and timings have been finalised.

An independent scheme co-ordinator will oversee preparing detailed infrastructure plans and costings to help support the staged rollout of new homes in the Concordia Growth Area. 

The area is expected to generate $9.3 billion and create 1370 jobs annual. 

The region is connected to the Adelaide CBD by the Gawler rail line.