Revised Morphettville apartment plan ready for start as part of the area’s Housing Trust revamp

WORK could start late this year on a contentious three-storey apartment block at the centre of a revamped Housing Trust area in Morphettville.

Renewal SA will build a three-storey apartment block on Appleby Rd, Morphettville.

WORK could start late this year on a contentious three-storey apartment block at the centre of a revamped Housing Trust area in Morphettville.

Renewal SA had planned to build a four-storey building on Appleby Rd as part of a major overhaul of the area, which had a large number of Housing Trust homes.

But the state’s land management agency has scaled that project back to three storeys following backlash from residents worried about it overlooking their homes and not fitting in to the neighbourhood.

Mike Philippou, project director of Renewal SA’s Neighbourhood Renewal Programs, last week told Marion councillors his department had found a “happy medium”, in response to residents’ feedback.

“I don’t think four storeys is out of context for this area but that was the view that the local people had,” Mr Philippou said.

If State Coordinator General Jim Hallion approved the apartment block, work would begin late this year or early in 2019.

The State Government is replacing and refurbishing dozens of aged Housing Trust homes with new houses and apartments, in an area bordered by Hendrie St, the Sturt River Linear Park and the northern sides of Carlisle and Nilpena avenues.

Work has also started on an upgrade to Appleby Road Reserve, to be completed in July or August.

Development manager Gianni Cirelli said trees and other vegetation were removed to make the area appear more open.

“You can start to see people walk and ride through there because it’s safer,” Mr Cirelli said.

“It will be a massive improvement to the area and the residents will really appreciate that area.”

There were 160 homes in the 11ha project area before demolition work started, and once the overhaul is finished, that will increase to 271.

Renewal SA told councillors 28 of the new homes had already been sold.

Once work is complete, the area will contain about 45 homes to be retained by the Housing Trust, and others to be sold to the private market or through an affordable housing scheme.

The Morphettville project is among a series of similar ones across Adelaide, aiming to reduce high concentrations of public housing by replacing homes with social and affordable housing.