The 30 year plan for Greater Adelaide, a pre-eminent strategic land use plan that guides the long-term growth of Adelaide and surrounds, has been updated with amendments highlighting the importance of good quality design.
Development Plan Amendments (DPA) are proposed, with a strong focus on design quality and the interface between new buildings and their neighbours.
The first DPA affects the Norwood Payneham and St Peters, Unley and West Torrens Council Development Plans. It proposes to rezone a number of strategic sites and areas along important transit corridors identified in the Plan.
The sites are considered strategic development opportunities. They will support greater housing diversity, including mixed use developments.
The Inner Metro Design DPA, the City of Prospect Urban Corridor and Interface Areas Policy Review DPA and the City of Onkaparinga General Residential and Miscellaneous Development Plan Amendment (on interim operation) also improve design outcomes for medium density housing and other development on key transit corridors, such as Unley Road, the Parade, and Churchill Road.
In addition, final approval has been granted for the Capital City Policy Review (Design Quality) Development Plan following community consultation in late 2016.
This builds on the significant growth in the City of Adelaide following planning reforms introduced in 2012, with almost $3.5 billion worth of projects approved for construction since this time.
South Australian Planning Minister John Rau said, “I am keen to continue the momentum of recent infill activity, while also requiring quality developments which are respectful of neighbouring houses and existing streetscapes.”
Recognising the importance of attracting more people to live, work and study in the city, the Minister has also approved the City of Adelaide’s North Adelaide Large Colleges and Institutions and Former Channel 9 Site DPAs.
To ensure that heritage value is protected whilst providing investment opportunities, interim operation has also been granted to the City of Adelaide’s North Adelaide Heritage DPA.
City of Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese said, “These changes will support higher design quality in the city; well-designed developments that provide good amenity and contribute to the streetscape will help attract more people to city living.”
“We are pleased that the Minister has agreed to the listing of heritage places in North Adelaide and to a height limit on the former Channel 9 site to ensure the heritage character of the area is preserved while also enabling good quality development.”
City of Prospect Acting Mayor Mark Groote said, “This is all about good design principles and the desire to improve and complement the public realm.”
“We want to promote street level activation and have the ability to adjust setbacks to allow for landscaping in the front of newly built properties, while still encouraging growth and prosperity in our City.”
City of Onkaparinga Mayor Lorraine Rosenberg said, “We listened to our communities and advocated for changes based on what they told us. Through hard work and collaboration with the Minister and DPTI, we’ve delivered a great outcome.”
“Medium density will now be concentrated where it works best, close to our major activity centres where there is access to public transport, local shops and services.”
