Otto timber and hardware site at Stepney and former Payneham Schweppes factory land to be rezoned for housing
A three-generation legacy for a renowned Adelaide timber family could soon be at an end if two major sites in Adelaide’s east are rezoned for medium to high density housing.
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Nearly 23,000 sqm of industrial land on two prominent sites in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs – including a third-generation timber business – is proposed to be rezoned for medium to high density housing.
The State Government wants public feedback on allowing buildings up to five storeys on the former Schweppes factory site on Payneham Rd, Payneham and up to three storeys on land owned by the Otto family, including their historic timber yard at Stepney.
A rezoning proposal out for consultation predicts up to 116 apartments could be built on the 12,500 sqm former Schweppes site and up to 50 on the prime 10,500 sqm Otto site.
The Otto family, who own three parcels of land off Magill Rd and have been trading from the same Wells St premises since the late 1930s, want to relocate their business, according to the rezoning development plan amendment.
The Schweppes factory was sold to developers and partially flattened for a planned service centre which was kiboshed after a resident launched a successful court appeal against its approval.
Both sites are being considered for rezoning following requests by their owners.
The blocks are proposed to be rezoned Urban Corridor Zone, which allows higher density development along major roads.
Anne Otto, whose husband Ken’s family owns the Stepney land, said the Otto family wants to sell its property.
“The time is now to move on,” she said.
“We’ve been paying really high land tax over the years and it really doesn’t make business viable to have a property so close to the city.”
Ms Otto said about half the staff also wanted to retire and that the company was moving towards an online business model.
The Otto Timber Joinery & Hardware was founded 96 years ago by Ken’s grandfather George Bernhard Otto.
The government planning report said the Schweppes and Otto sites will support “urban regeneration and housing supply goals” of the 30-year Plan for Greater Adelaide for 85 per cent of all new housing in metropolitan Adelaide to be built in established urban areas by 2045.
“These two sites are each adjacent strategic roadways in inner-suburban Adelaide, supported by high frequency, mass transit services, community infrastructure, and surrounded by a mix of low to medium density residential and mixed land uses,” the report says.
“The affected areas represent increasingly rare opportunities for development of relatively large brownfield spaces in inner metropolitan Adelaide for residential and/or mixed use developments.”
A November 2019 study found that the Schweppes site could also accommodate shops of up to 10,000 sqm, and 116 apartments.
Stepney would be “predominantly” medium density housing with “limited” non-residential development.
The planning report says it is “appropriate” that both sites provide affordable housing.
The report says both sites are a risk of potential flooding in a 1-in-100 year flood event being in proximity to creek lines.
The rezoning proposals are being co-ordinated through the State Planning Commission
Consultation closes on November 12.