Smithfield, Elizabeth to get 15-storey apartment towers and 4000 new homes under in new plan
Multiple apartment towers would be built under a bold plan for 4000 new homes that would dramatically change Adelaide’s northern suburbs forever.
Apartment towers hitting 15 storeys would be built around the Munno Para shopping centre at Smithfield, under an audacious plan for 4100 new homes that would dramatically redraw the skylines of Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
The Housing Department is proposing to rezone 33.5ha of land at the former Smithfield army barracks to allow high rises up to 15 levels and up to 3000 new homes, while also planning infill for another hundreds of new homes in the area and to revitalise Housing Trust dwellings.
They would be by far the tallest buildings in the north, with only the eight-storey Playford Commercial Hub business tower now under construction in the heart of Elizabeth coming close.
The plan was announced in March, but until now its full scale has not been revealed.
Two proposals are now open for public consultation – one for 3000 homes in the area, and another for 5000.
The rezoning applies to a total of 163.1ha around the shopping centre, and would allow between 1500 and 3000 homes in medium to high-density housing towers within the former army barracks.
The areas next to Smithfield and Broadmeadows railway stations, to the north and
south, would become a Housing Diversity Neighbourhood Zone – allowing buildings up to
four storeys and a range of different housing types, from detached homes to townhouses, row houses and low-rise apartment, including affordable housing.
SA Housing Trust owns many of the residential properties within the affected area, and the rezoning offers potential for regeneration and improvement, a housing department spokeswoman said.
A major new collector road running north-south down the middle of the former barracks would connect Broadmeadows Rd and Morialta Dr and handle up to 12,625 trips a day.
It would be a broad, tree-lined road branching off into small roads servicing the apartments.
Documents suggest a huge rise in traffic in the area from the new housing, with up to 26,845 daily trips, 2600 during peak times.
Another new road could link with Main North Rd near the shopping centre, but be left-turn in and out only, while Konanda Rd would be widened and upgraded.
Playford Council said all critical infrastructure associated with the development needed to be “planned and funded upfront to keep pace with housing growth”.
“Council will be focusing on ensuring a well-planned, functional, and liveable development, which includes critical infrastructure,” it said.
Smithfield Oval and its surroundings will also be rezoned for parks and recreation for protection, while 26.5ha across the area would be kept for open space.
Linear parks – including a Gawler Greenway running down the side of the railway line – recreational corridors, cycling paths and large numbers of new trees are all planned.
A new north – south cycling and walking path would link Smithfield and Broadmeadows railway stations, while connecting to Playford Waters Park, Smith Creek, and Uley Park Reserve.
Specific planning rules would improve access to affordable housing and introduces measures aimed at reducing noise and air pollution close to the railway line.
Housing chief executive David Reynolds said the code amendment was an important step in providing “more diverse and affordable housing choices for South Australians”.
“We are committed to creating vibrant neighbourhoods that offer a mix of housing, green spaces, and improved amenities for everyone,” he said.
Consultation is now open until December 21.
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Originally published as Smithfield, Elizabeth to get 15-storey apartment towers and 4000 new homes under in new plan
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