Huge section of land at old UniSA Magill campus set aside for open space under council plan

A council says the state government should give it a massive section of the old UniSA Magill campus and turn it into open space.

A huge part of a planned housing estate on the former UniSA Magill campus would become designated open space and given to the local council under a bold land-grab.

The 14.6ha site, purchased by Renewal SA to support the merger between the University of Adelaide and UniSA, has been earmarked for a 400-plus housing estate but Campbelltown Council wants to keep several hectares for community use.

It has voted to seek at least 40 per cent of the campus on each side of St Bernards Rd to be “designated as public open space and transferred to council ownership”.

Under the council plan, the number of homes would not change.

On Tuesday, councillors backed the proposal, which also outlined council’s position on housing density and other infrastructure associated with the development.

Campbelltown Council wants to a significant portion of the UniSA’s Magill Campus to be retained for open space.

Councillor John Flynn, who raised the motion, said he wanted to protect open space in Magill because it was “deficient in that area”.

Open space – which includes areas on campus – makes up less than 2 per cent of the area.

Under council’s proposal, the land north of Third Creek on western side of the campus would be retained for open space while the majority of development would be “concentrated south of the creek”, where university buildings currently sit.

On the eastern side, council suggests allocating a portion of land that could be linked up with the broader open space network south of Woodforde Rd.

The road itself would then also be closed and incorporated into the open space under the plan.

The council wants traditional one- and two-storey homes along the site’s edges, with two- and three-storey townhouses closer in, while apartments up to six storeys would take up the site’s core. Walking trails would connect open spaces and mature trees would be kept.

An aerial view of the UniSA campus at Magill, which will be the site of a major residential redevelopment. Picture: Supplied

Renewal SA is committed to dedicating to at least 12.5 per cent of the development to green space but earlier said the “type and final percentage will be determined during the master planning process”.

Urban Development Minister Nick Champion said Renewal SA was now considering the extensive community consultation on the future of the site.

He did not say if he believed the proposed housing estate could still deliver 400 homes under the council’s desire for extra open space.

“(They will) prepare an engagement report outlining the themes, ideas and feedback received. The report will consider all aspects of the site including open spaces, height, density and integration with surrounds,” he said.

Sporting clubs have also been pushing for new multi-pitch grounds at the site.

Cr Flynn said sport was flourishing in the area but council needed more space to accommodate the growing interest and membership, “particularly in youth and female participation”.

“We (also) need to protect the trees, the habitats for the wildlife … the heritage house there,” he said.

Originally published as Huge section of land at old UniSA Magill campus set aside for open space under council plan