West Lakes housing project to deliver 500 new homes

Developers have broken ground on a $450m housing project at West Lakes, and they’ve already secured some big names to operate a new hotel and childcare centre.

Artist's impression of the Novo housing development at West Lakes. Picture: Supplied by Potentia

Developers have broken ground on a $450m housing project at West Lakes, which is being pitched as a potential hub for the influx of workers needed to deliver shipbuilding projects at the nearby Osborne shipyard.

Andrew Nunn, a co-founder of environmental consulting firm JBS&G, has teamed up with project director Daniel De Conno and environmental engineer Will Ellis to transform the 17ha former wastewater treatment site over the next five years into a new residential neighbourhood with close to 500 homes.

One of two heritage buildings on the site will be revamped into a new hotel, to be operated by local group Duxton Pubs, while Edge Early Learning will run a childcare centre, and talks are in advanced stages with potential operators of a small supermarket slated for the retail precinct.

A new high street will weave its way through the centre of the development - known as Novo West Lakes - featuring a retail and commercial precinct with cafes, bars and medical facilities, and apartments up to four storeys. More retail outlets will be developed along Frederick Rd.

Planning Minister Nick Champion approved the developer’s bid to rezone the old SA Water site on the corner of Frederick Rd and Lochside Drive in January.

Artist's impression of the heritage-listed building which will be converted into a hotel run by Duxton Pubs. Picture: Supplied by Potentia

Mr De Conno said civil construction work recently commenced, after the rezoning announcement in January which had fuelled huge interest from potential buyers.

“We put up on-site signage in early January after it got announced (rezoning), and we’ve probably had 600 inquiries just over the last six weeks - the inquiry’s been amazing and that would just be from the surrounding neighbourhood,” he said.

“We do think that these types of sites will come into pretty high demand, particularly as AUKUS ramps up, and we are engaging with defence companies that are looking at coming into the state.

“You’re two minutes to the beach, 15 minutes to the city, 10 minutes to work and you’re able to live in beautiful brand new townhouses and apartments with the surrounding amenity - it’s a great selling point.

“We’re also looking at other potential users and occupiers including aged care, build to rent and other housing options.”

The wastewater plant was shut down in 2004 and the site purchased by the developers -Potentia West Lakes - which in 2021 funded a planning code amendment to rezone the site for housing.

Artist's impression of the Novo housing development at West Lakes. Picture: Supplied by Potentia

Potentia had been seeking to build up to five storeys on the site, but the rezoning was capped at four storeys following community feedback.

The current plans include about 350 townhouses and close to 150 apartments, while around 20 per cent of the land has been set aside as open space.

The edges of the site that adjoin to existing residential properties will retain a waterfront zoning, in keeping with the existing housing in the area, while density will rise towards the centre of the site.

“Our thought was the state’s in a housing crisis, let’s create more density through those main areas,” Mr De Conno said.

Construction of the first display homes along Lochside Drive is expected to commence by the middle of the year.

Potentia is also working on several other infill developments across Adelaide, including an apartment project in North Adelaide.

Mr Nunn said the trio specialised in developing “difficult” sites with contamination, environmental or other challenges

“Will and I have done a couple of projects together, looking at old sites that are in that distressed position, and then this came up as an opportunity,” he said.

“And so we formed a group - Dan’s got the property experience and we’ve got the environmental experience so we thought let’s do it together.”