$215m Seaford Meadows housing estate given green light by Onkaparinga Council
A revised plan for a $215 million housing estate at Seaford Meadows – home of celebrity goat, Gary – has been endorsed by Onkaparinga Council.
- Hickinbotham plans more houses for Seaford Meadows development
- Onkaparinga sidelines legal challenge over Seaford Meadows estate
- Onka v Hickinbotham in the Supreme Court
- Residents gear up to save Gary the Goat’s home
A $215 million housing development at Seaford Meadows will move ahead after a revised plan was approved by Onkaparinga Council.
The council has been locked in negotiations for the past five months with the Hickinbotham Group over the developer’s controversial plan for an estate on a 42ha vacant block at the corner of Commercial and Jared roads.
The council has now given in-principle support for 644 homes to be built over the next five years.
Hickinbotham Group managing director Michael Hickinbotham addressed councillors at a confidential meeting on Tuesday.
Members of the public and the press were locked out.
Mr Hickinbotham and Mayor Erin Thompson then released a joint statement to The Messenger on Thursday announcing the council’s support.
Ms Thompson said the new plan was a successful outcome to months of negotiations and took into account community feedback.
A stretch of green space connecting the Onkaparinga Recreation Reserve to Commercial Rd would be retained.
The new plan features 19 more houses than originally planned.
Ms Thompson said the land had been zoned as residential by the State Government since 1988, so the council’s intent was never aimed at stopping the development.
“Instead, our negotiations were focused on design elements that are of great importance to the City of Onkaparinga and our residents – improved open space, environmental considerations and traffic safety,” Ms Thompson said.
“We’re pleased that by negotiating amicably with Hickinbotham, we are one step closer to avoiding a potentially expensive court case and achieving a better planning outcome for our city.”
The agreement comes months after Onkaparinga decided to sideline Supreme Court action against the development and negotiate with Hickinbotham rather than proceeding to a formal trial process.
Hickinbotham’s plans were initially approved by the state planning authority in August last year.
But they then ran into a community outcry – and council objections, based on concerns over the size of the estate and the fate of southern celebrity Gary the goat and a mob of kangaroos occupying the site.
Mr Hickinbotham said the council had now ensured the community’s voice would be heard.
“The council’s support will now help unlock and underpin the opportunity for 1200 new long-term job opportunities and 120 new apprenticeships in the broader Seaford area,” Mr Hickinbotham said.
In accordance with expert ecological advice, provision has been made for the resident animals to be progressively migrated across the development site the National Park area, where they will remain visible.