Population growth targets likely to be lowered under State Government review of 30-Year Plan

THE State Government’s set to lower targets for population growth and new homes across Adelaide, saying “significant shifts” in SA’s economic climate have forced the rethink. So, what does it really mean?

The 30-Year Plan underpinned many of the government’s and councils’ development priorities, including plans for an extension of Adelaide’s tram network.

THE State Government is set to lower its targets for population growth and new homes across Adelaide, saying “significant shifts” in SA’s economic climate have forced a rethink of its long-term plan for the city.

Planning Minister John Rau said consultation would likely start next month on new growth targets under its 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, which had projected 560,000 more people and 258,000 new houses in the city over the coming decades.

While the government was required to update the plan after five years, a spokesman for Mr Rau said there had been “shifts in the (state’s) economic and social landscape”, which would likely result in lowered population growth expectations.

“Since background research was conducted there have been significant shifts … impacting how we plan and develop cities,” the spokesman said.

The Planning Department’s website said the review would include “revised population and dwelling targets” and “updated housing supply assumptions”.

Under the 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, more high-rise living was proposed.

Under the original plan, targets for new houses were projected at 10,100 per year across Adelaide.

Department staff last month told a meeting, organised by the Urban Development Insititute of Australia, that number would be revised down to 8200.

The 30-Year Plan underpinned many of the government’s and councils’ development priorities, including plans for an extension of Adelaide’s tram network.

In 2014, Mr Rau said more than 50,000 people could live in central Adelaide within a decade.

He also suggested the overall metropolitan area could eventually comfortably become home to another million people.

Consultation on the revised plan would run for six weeks.

The final plan is expected to be released in October.