Renewal SA seeks interest in developing major Oakden site, to build 1500 new homes

The controversial former Oakden nursing home is part of a huge parcel of government land earmarked for up to 1500 new homes.

Aerial view of the Oakden land on offer.

Plans to build up to 1500 homes in Adelaide’s north, including on the site of the controversial Oakden nursing home, are a step closer.

The State Government’s development body, Renewal SA, is seeking interest from developers in delivering a new residential neighbourhood on 52ha of Government-owned land in Oakden.

The site – bounded by Sudholz, Fosters and Grand Junction roads – was previously occupied by the former Hillcrest Hospital, Strathmont Centre and Oakden aged-care and mental health facility, which closed in 2017.

The Oakden nursing home and mental health facility closed in 2017. Picture: Mark Brake

The development is expected to create up to 1500 new homes, including affordable housing, as well as open spaces, retail shops and other services.

Renewal SA general manager of major projects and pipeline Tony Cole said the land parcel represented one of the last large-scale infill development opportunities in metropolitan Adelaide.

“The housing on the site will be in line with the zoning, it will be mixed-use, traditional housing and affordable housing, and we’re planning for around 25 to 30 homes per hectare,” he said.

Aerial view of the Oakden land on offer.

“It’s close enough to the city to deliver some medium density and traditional density.

“The site allows to go up to three or four storeys, in certain pockets, in areas where it’s walkable to things like transport and shopping.”

The 52ha site is part of a 100ha structure plan developed by Renewal SA to plan for future development in the Oakden and Gilles Plains areas.

The state’s high-security forensic mental health facility, James Nash House, and the headquarters of the Adelaide City soccer club do not form part of the 52ha land release.

The former Hillcrest Hospital forms part of the 52ha land release. Picture: Colin James

Similar to the nearby Lightsview development, the State Government will retain ownership of the land, with the preferred developer responsible for masterplanning, marketing and sales.

The land will be sold progressively over the life of the 10-to-15 year project.

Mr Cole said a shortlist of preferred developers would be selected by the end of the year, with successful parties asked to prepare a masterplan for the precinct early next year.

A final preferred developer is expected to be chosen by the middle of next year.

“Ideally construction would start as soon as possible thereafter,” Mr Cole said.

“With the current stimulus from government we think it’s a really good time to get started as soon as possible.”

The former Strathmont Centre forms part of the 52ha land release. Picture: Colin James

The Oakden nursing home and mental-health facility closed in disgrace in 2017 following years of abuse and neglect of elderly patients at the State Government-run facility.

State Heritage-listed Czechowicz House – a former superintendent’s house on Fosters Road – will be retained as part of the development.