State Government to develop housing at land occupied by institutions at Oakden, Gilles Plains
More than 1500 houses will be built in Adelaide’s north — on land occupied by government institutions including the Strathmont Centre and old Oakden aged-care facility.
Housing will be developed on a huge tract of land in Adelaide’s north that contains various former government institutions.
Renewal SA has released preliminary plans for the redevelopment of 100ha of land at Gilles Plains and Oakden bordered by Fosters Rd, Grand Junction Rd and Blacks Rd.
The land to be sold is occupied by the former Oakden aged care facility, Strathmont Centre for the disabled, Hillcrest Hospital and South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAMHRI).
Not included is land containing the state’s high-security forensic mental health facility, James Nash House, the headquarters of the Adelaide City soccer club and a community tavern.
Renewal SA has letterboxed 3600 properties in the area, including hundreds of new homes which have been built in the nearby suburb of Lightsview.
It also has held a community workshop, conducted an online survey and briefed Port Adelaide Enfield Council about the project.
In a preliminary report, council said the development was likely to have around 2000 new homes, with about 5000 residents.
The report said the initial plan for the redevelopment was “fairly well thought out” but numerous issues had to be considered, including:
NEED for ongoing community consultation, particularly with residents in nearby subdivisions at Oakden.
TRAFFIC management, as existing roads – particularly intersections – were under pressure from the area’s increasing population.
PUBLIC transport, especially bus routes and the provision of more bus stops.
IMPORTANCE of maintaining existing trees, creating more public open spaces and ensuring proper stormwater management.
ANALYSING the impact of a bigger population on existing facilities such as schools, libraries and public meeting places, which were already at capacity.
Council said it wanted Renewal SA to develop a masterplan for the development, rather than sell it to individual developers in stages.
“Council strongly encourages a ‘masterplanned’ approach to the whole site,” said its report.
“Without this, there is a significant risk that the land parcels will be developed in a ‘piecemeal’ fashion and a sub-optimal development outcome will occur.”
Examples of masterplanned community developments in Adelaide include West Lakes, Golden Grove and Mawson Lakes.
The council report said one of the biggest concerns was the pressure an extra 5000 people would put on existing community facilities such as schools.
“We note that with the exception of early learning centres, no new community facilities including schools, community centres and libraries are envisaged as part of the release of the Oakden-Gilles Plains land,” it said.
“Council is aware many of the schools, particularly private schools, will be nearing capacity in the coming 12 months.
“... with that in mind, and the fact that an additional (approximately) 5000 residents will be moving into the area, council is not convinced no new community facilities are required as a result of this significant development in the area.”
The report also questioned the impact the future release of other land in the area would have on the demand for community facilities.
“While just outside of the project area, council notes that new land opportunities will be released onto the market with the closure of the Gilles Plains Primary School (government owned) and Hillcrest Stadium (council-owned),” it said.
“It is considered that these future development sites should be taken into account in calculating the demand for community facilities and overall impacts of the area.”
The council report was sent to Renewal SA as part of its plans to prepare a Development Plan Amendment (DPA) to have the area rezoned for housing.
Public consultation on the project closed at the end of June, with the DPA expected to be submitted to Planning Minister Stephan Knoll by the end of next month.