More than 40 hectares of land at Smithfield, Elizabeth South earmarked as future site of 3500 new homes

More than 40 hectares of land in Adelaide’s north have been earmarked for development in a plan that could make way for 3500 new homes. Watch the flythrough.

More than 40 hectares of land would be rezoned under a plan to make way for 3500 new homes at Smithfield and Elizabeth South.

A 33.5ha site at Smithfield, between the Munno Para Shopping City and the Adelaide-Gawler rail line, would be rezoned to accommodate up to 3000 high-density dwellings.

The site was obtained by the state government under the AUKUS land transfer.

Another 520 medium-density homes could be constructed on a second, 9.1ha parcel of land on John Rice Ave between Commercial Rd and Jarvis Rd at Elizabeth South.

One of the parcels of land earmarked for development. Picture: Supplied

Rezoning the sites could lead to more than 3500 new homes. Picture: Supplied

Two sites have been earmarked – a 33.5ha site at Smithfield and one at Elizabeth South. Picture: Supplied

More work will now be done at both sites to determine traffic impact, before both code amendments go out for community consultation and a final decision is made.

Planning Minister Nick Champion said the rezonings could accommodate 8500 people in the northern suburbs, which is experiencing surging demand for housing.

“We are seeking to put in place zoning that provides us with the greatest level of flexibility to respond to the unprecedented demand for new housing and this includes high density housing,” he said.

“The Smithfield site presents an opportunity to create a whole community that would be conveniently located between major public transport links and the area’s main shopping centre.

Planning Minister Nick Champion. Picture: Mark Brake

Master Builders SA chief executive Will Frogley. Picture: Matt Loxton

“We identified the Elizabeth South area as a chance to turn a redundant piece of industrial land which has never been utilised into brand new housing.”

Master Builders SA chief executive Will Frogley said the housing shortage will “put the brakes on our entire economy if we don’t beat it” – and the only way to beat it is to crack on and urgently increase housing supply.

“Both of these sites represent exciting opportunities to create high quality, affordable homes and neighbourhoods in parts of the northern suburbs where people want to live, close to services and infrastructure,” he said.

Housing Industry Association executive director Stephen Knight said the sites were well-located and provided an excellent opportunity to deliver multiple housing options.

“Builders are crying out for shovel ready land for their customers,” he said.

“With their order books beginning to dry up during this year having this land ready to go soon is welcome.”

But Opposition Leader David Speirs said the government has failed to “move the dial” on housing.

“The housing crisis is getting worse and they keep on releasing big chunks of land to get developed but there’s no houses on them,” he said.

“Some of the areas of land that they have announced in the last year probably won’t see houses for a decade.

“Long-term planning is all well and good but we’ve got an immediate-term crisis.”