Development plan driven by Mallala farming family could double town’s size

It’s a farmer’s multimillion-dollar plan to grow a South Aussie town. It includes a co-op solar plant, housing, and even a dog park, and will soon be less than an hour away from Adelaide.

An artist impression of the new development planned for Mallala.

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A multimillion-dollar development plan put forward by Mallala farmer Richard Konzag has the potential to double the rural town’s population.

Mallala currently has 324 residential allotments and the proposed “Gracewood” development would add an extra 350 allotments to the township.

The development is being undertaken solely by the Konzag family — who are sixth generation grain growers in Mallala — and it would be located on a 40-hectare parcel of land that is owned by them.

Conceptual planning and design for the project is still being worked through with staff at the Adelaide Plains Council, ahead of lodgement of a formal land division application for assessment purposes in the next few weeks.

“Across the life of the 15 year to 20 year project it has the potential to double the size of Mallala,” Mr Konzag said.

“We really want to ensure the future of the town and shore up the future of the businesses here.

Mallala farmer Richard Konzag and his wife Trish and children Ryan and Anna at the proposed site. Picture: Tait Schmaal

“For the town to get ahead, it needs to grow. A lot of country towns are flagging and we don’t want to see that happen in Mallala.

“We have a great community here and we want to see it continue to grow and flourish.”

Mr Konzag believes with Mallala located only 60 kilometres north of Adelaide, it is well-placed to serve a range of new residents.

“It will be simple to get into the Port Adelaide area once the Northern Connector is complete,” he said.

“When the Northern Connector is finished, and it’s scheduled to be finished by the end of the year, it’s going to save 10 to 15 minutes off the trip.

“As it is, we can be in the CBD in 55 minutes, at the right time of day, and the Barossa Valley is only 30 minutes the other way, so we’re pretty well located.

“You can experience that country lifestyle and still travel to your employment.”

The development is located in the northwest corner of the town on Aerodrome Road.

“There’ll be a big variety of block sizes, from large allotments for people that want that extra space and smaller blocks, maybe for retirees coming off a farm who want a smaller space,” Mr Konzag said.

With about 750 people living in the town at the moment, the new development has the potential to substantially increase the local population.

Mr Konzag said a unique aspect to the development would be a solar park covering six hectares.

The park would have three megawatt capacity, allowing it to potentially reduce the energy costs for several hundred homes.

“People will be able to buy shares in a solar co-operative, to get their energy at reduced rates,” Mr Konzag said.

“If someone is wanting to rent, and can’t get solar panels, it’s perfect for them. Alternatively, if you’re building a new house, you won’t have to go to the expense of putting solar panels on, you can just invest in the co-operative.”

Mr Konzag said another point of difference with the development was an orchard being planned to run alongside it, as well as a range of walking trails.

“The landscape engineers we’ve spoken with have some really good ideas about creating open space,” he said.

The proposed development site was zoned residential after the Adelaide Plains Council undertook a development plan amendment in 2015.

Mr Konzag said his family had been working on the project since that time and work had ramped up in the past couple of years.

Project manager for the development is consultant Gerard Coutts, of Gerard Coutts & Associates, from Melbourne, Victoria, who Mr Konzag contacted on the advice of Regional Development Australia Barossa.

Mr Coutts said Gracewood was planned to offer buyers something different.

“Wide tree-lined streets, orientation to maximise northerly aspect, an adjacent cooperative solar park which will reduce energy costs for residents, a dog park, walking trails for easy pedestrian movement and thoughtful landscaping will all feature in our creative development design,” he said.

“A strong focus has been the inclusion of green space, with about three hectares of land for picnic areas and nature play spaces.

“I think the real difference with this project is that it’s not just developers coming into a town and buying up land. It’s being driven by local family with long ties to the town, who want to ensure there’s real attention to detail and quality with this project.”