Mapped: $4.7 billion worth of projects that will help boost the Gawler economy and drive new jobs

Community upgrades totalling a staggering $4.7 billion are transforming Gawler as the region prepares for 30,000 new residents. See the project map.

Annabel, Sebastien and Amelia Birbeck at Gawler's Aquatic Centre at Essex Park, which will soon begin a $155 million overhaul. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

A $155 million dollar overhaul of Gawler’s Essex Park is expected to become the jewel in the crown of SA’s oldest country town.

A major development proposal along Victoria Terrace has been outlined in the Essex Park and Gawler Showgrounds Regional Sporting Precinct Master Plan, including upgrades to major sporting precincts to host state and national events.

A staff report recommending the release of the masterplan for public consultation will be put before Gawler Council on November 24.

A range of projects collectively valued at just under $4.7 billion are in progress across the Gawler council region.

These include a number of multimillion-dollar housing developments to help cater for an additional 30,000 residents expected to call Gawler home by 2036.

Gawler Mayor Karen Redman said Essex Park would help meet the growing need for recreational pursuits within the region.

She said the multistage project would encompass upgrades of ageing facilities to increase participation in a number of sports, including netball, tennis, football, lawn balls and swimming.

“A big focus of ours is sport and recreation … and this $155 million project will set us up for our future growth,” she said.

“Gawler is undergoing quite a transformation and change, with our population estimated to grow by 60 per cent between 2016 and 2036.

“Essex Park will play a big part of that growth even though it’s a long-term project but we see it as a real opportunity for us.”

Concept image of the $155 million Essex Park overhaul in Gawler

Ms Redman said around 4670 people were currently involved with sporting groups at the site.

“We think we can double that number with appropriate investment, which also incorporates the showgrounds,” she said.

“With the tennis, we’re looking at establishing a couple of show courts, while with the pool, we’ve (already) done a significant amount of investment in our 50-metre outdoor swimming pool. We’re now one of the only few centres in SA that still has one.

“The netball club also needs some significant investment to get them up to code, but once all of that’s done, we’ll be able to host some significant regional events.”

The St Yves residential development near Roseworthy is one of $4.7 billion worth of projects currently underway in Gawler. Supplied by Land Vision Group.

Artist designs for St Yves show planned housing, open space and sports fields. Supplied by Land Vision Group.

Springwood Estate, a $500 million, 10-year housing project at Gawler East, has so far welcomed around 350 new homes, but will eventually house 6000 residents across 2000 new homes.

The first commercial tenant, X Convenience, has also been secured for the Springwood Village Centre, which will include a supermarket, childcare centre, cafes, specialty shops and other retail outlets.

It is estimated that the estate’s retail and education developments would create around 200 ongoing, full-time jobs as well as 1000 during construction.

Headway will be made at Concordia over the next three to five years with the releases of 9500 new lots.

The development, located just 730 metres from the retail heart of Gawler, will house well over 20,000 new residents upon completion, servicing not only Gawler but the Barossa region.

Stage two of the Springwood Estate has been approved with around 1400 homes planned. Picture: Springwood Estate.

A $2.4 billion residential and commercial development off the Horrocks Highway, south of Roseworthy, is also well underway.

Known as St Yves, the development will include 4400 homes upon its completion and a brand new $30 million R-10 campus for 650 students, built by Trinity College.

Population growth is behind a $15 million cash injection to expand the Gawler Hospital emergency department.

The funding was announced in November as part of the State Government’s $42.8 million health infrastructure stimulus package and will see the department’s capacity increase fourfold, from four treatment spaces to 16.

It will also create over 60 jobs during the life of the project.

Construction is well underway on the $615 million electrification and modernisation of the Gawler rail line which is due for completion in 2021.

The upgrade will deliver a faster, cleaner and more reliable service through Adelaide from Gawler to Seaford, while also increasing capacity and future growth for development along the northern rail corridor.

It will complement the $867 million Northern Connector, which opened to the public in March.

Around 480 full-time equivalent jobs were created each year during construction – with 50 per cent of jobs filled by northern suburbs residents.

The Northern Connector project was completed in March this year.

Gawler Mayor Karen Redman says masterplans are key to managing an influx of new residents. Picture: Colin James

Ms Redman said masterplans were the key to managing Gawler’s expansion.

“We’ve been refining our projects in recent years through masterplans, not just Essex Park, but we also have one for the southern area of Gawler … in Evanston Gardens, worth $44 million,” she said.

“But while we’re the ones delivering the growth, we do need the support (from the government) to deliver the infrastructure that’s required to be able to service our future communities.”