Six-storey developments allowed on Henley Beach Rd under new planning rules

DEVELOPERS can now build up to six storeys on a section of Henley Beach Rd after the State Government forced through new planning rules in West Torrens.

DEVELOPERS can build up to six storeys on a section of Henley Beach Rd after the State Government forced through new planning rules in West Torrens.

Planning Minister John Rau last week approved amendments to the council’s development plan, designed to revitalise major roads in the inner-west.

The changes include raising building height limits from six storeys to eight along Anzac Highway and three storeys to six on Henley Beach Rd, between South Rd and the underpass.

West Torrens acting chief executive Declan Moore was “generally comfortable” with the new guidelines, but opposed taller buildings on both sides of Henley Beach Rd.

“We wrote to Mr Rau asking him to exclude the northern side of Henley Beach Rd because there are a number of shops and pubs, such as Thebarton Theatre, on that side that have a historic character,” Mr Moore said.

“There was also concern for the houses that sit directly behind Henley Beach Rd.

“I think it would be relatively imposing to have a six-storey (building) built next to you.”

Mr Moore said better public transport was needed to support the growth.

“Urban infill is predicated on people giving away their cars and using public transport, but at the moment people are reluctant to do that and the transport networks aren’t there.

“If you start building eight storey residential buildings, where are people going to put their cars?”

Mr Moore also expressed concern with new regulations which now prohibited the council from notifying people when their neighbour plans to extend their home from one to two storeys.

The council received more than 300 submissions from residents during consultation on the proposed changes in 2013, including from those who feared high-density developments would conflict with the character of the area.

Mr Rau said the changes would help the government’s push to redevelop inner-metropolitan Adelaide.

“The changes will enable medium to high-density development along existing transport corridors and close to existing infrastructure,” Mr Rau said.

“The government is looking to boost densities in targeted parts of existing urban Adelaide as a preference to continuing to sprawl north and south.”

Mr Rau said the new rules “took into consideration all of the feedback that was received, including that of the council”.

“This is a council-led rezoning, and the vast majority of (the) council’s proposals have remained unchanged.”

Earlier this year, Mr Rau flagged increased building heights along sections of Port Rd, Richmond Rd, Grange Rd, Sir Donald Bradman Drive and Crittenden Rd as part of the next stage of the government’s inner metropolitan growth project.

Property Council SA executive director Daniel Gannon said it was time SA “embraced infill development”.

“Density, when done right, reduces congestion, improves housing affordability and diversity,” Mr Gannon said.

“There are also health benefits in that when people live closer to amenities they tend to be less reliant upon their cars.”