New planning laws pave the way for $200m in high-rise developments across Adelaide

ADELAIDE is set to go sky high, with the State Government approving taller building height limits for eight hubs across the metropolitan area.

• Developers reveal plans for sites up for rezoning
• Minister John Rau reveals finalised update of 30 Year Plan
• 12-storey height limits approved for Glenelg

THE State Government has scrapped a contentious plan to allow high-rise housing at sites in Malvern, Norwood and Mile End after a backlash from local residents.

But Planning Minister John Rau has approved taller building height limits at eight other properties around Adelaide, paving the way for almost $200 million in new developments.

Mr Rau today announced his decision on a proposal to “spot rezone” 12 city-fringe sites for high-rise apartments.

He said he would “not proceed” with a plan to allow a five-storey building at 301-305 Unley Rd following months of community opposition.

Development site at 301-305 Unley Rd, Malvern.

Unley residents lodged more than 200 submissions objecting to a rezoning of the block, where developer Catcorp was planning a $40 million apartment and office complex.

Mr Rau has also ruled out high-rise apartments at 52-60 The Parade, Norwood, 6-10 Railway Tce, Mile End, and at the 8000sq m Otto’s Timber and Joinery factory, in Stepney.

Each of those proposals attracted criticism from local residents and councils during public consultation and State Planning Commission public meetings earlier this year.

“I have not approved rezoning for the 4 sites where the community was strongly opposed to the rezoning, and where impacts on adjoining residents would be more difficult to manage,” Mr Rau said.

“The size and location of those sites meant that the interface with existing houses would be challenging.”

Click on each site to find out what developers have planned:

Deputy Premier John Rau, with SA Premier Jay Weatherill and Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese. Picture: Dylan Coker

Mr Rau announced plans in May to rezone the 12 sites, which he believed were ripe for redevelopment in the next 18 months.

He today signed-off on a new six-storey building height limit at the former Caroma factory in Norwood, which has been earmarked for an $80 million redevelopment.

The former Caroma factory at 76 Magill Road and Stephens Street, Norwood.

The former Marleston TAFE site is set to be transformed into a $60 million, 250-home estate following the decision, while the owners of the Hackney Hotel now have a clear path to proceed with long-awaited plans for apartments and townhouses around the historic pub.

Early artist’s impression of the Hackney Hotel project.

High-rise developments will be allowed at 22-28 Anzac Highway, Everard Park, 1-5 Beulah Rd, Norwood, and on the Cappo Seafood site, on Glen Osmond Rd.

Mr Rau today also approved a suite of new regulations for the design of apartments to “minimise the impact” of high-rise developments on neighbouring properties.

The changes include stricter rules around setbacks and overshadowing.