Winwest’s Aldinga Beach Latitude development gets the green light

After more than three years of opposition, a multimillion-dollar residential and holiday complex is back on the cards – but it’s been cut down in size. SEE THE DETAILS HERE.

Artist impressions of the Latitude development before the height was reduced.

• Legal fight to block a $46m Aldinga Beach complex under way
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A contentious multimillion-dollar development in Aldinga Beach will finally begin construction following years of community opposition.

The Latitude residential, holiday and retirement complex will now comprise of a trio of three-storey buildings and one four-storey building following lengthy legal negotiations between developer Winwest and Onkaparinga Council.

The project was originally slated to cost $46.8 million and include three four-storey buildings and one six-storey building on the corner of Rowley and Aldinga Beach roads.

Initial plans were approved by the State Government’s development assessment panel in 2018 before the council appealed the decision in the Environment, Resources and Development (ERD) Court later that year.

Onkaparinga and the developer then came to a compromise without going to trial.

A Winwest spokesman said the location was ideal for a development of this type.

“In this market, with the development of the school close by I think Aldinga is becoming a more attractive location for first home buyers and a range of accommodation,” he said.

“The whole area will see the benefits of this once its done … we think it’s the best part of the world and we really are big ambassadors for the south.

Artist impressions Winwest’s Aldinga Beach development before the heights were reduced.

“We’re complying with the development plan at three storeys, the development plan always envisioned three storeys and that’s what we’re doing.”

Two of the buildings will now host 28 independent living units each and one building will house 28 residential units.

The four storey building is made up of three storeys holding at least 43 short-stay apartments plus a rooftop terrace.

All four buildings will include under croft parking.

The original $46 million estimated cost for the development has been reduced by around 25 per cent.

But community groups say they still oppose the height of the development.

“The residents are still opposed to any development that is that high and that out of character with Aldinga and the wider Aldinga Bay area,” Aldinga Bay Residents Association president Joshua Reiter said.

“We’re really disappointed that after quite a long process we’re still looking at quite high development that would stand out so much.”

In 2019, the council and Winwest began closed-door negotiations in the ERD Court following the appeal.

An Onkaparinga Council spokesmen said the significant costs of a trial were avoided by reaching an agreement in the conference mode of the ERD appeal.

“Legal costs incurred for the conference negotiations since June 2018 when the Strategic Directions Committee endorsed the administration to lodge a third party appeal in the ERD Court totalled $35,600, which was within operational budgets,” he said.

“Now that the appeal has been finalised, the confidential reports, attachments and resolutions are in the process of being released.”