Smithfield army barracks to get up to 3000 new medium-high density homes under Housing Dept rezone plan

Up to 3000 new homes in multistorey apartment blocks and townhouses would be built on army barracks in a plan to revitalise an entire suburb.

The Smithfield army barracks, which the Defence Department gave to the state government in a land-swap deal, will be turned into high-density housing. Picture: Renewal SA

Up to 3000 new homes would be stacked up next to the Munno Para Shopping Centre under a plan to turn the Smithfield army barracks into medium and high-density housing.

Apartment block building heights are now being investigated, amid Housing Department plans to revitalise most of the suburb, allow high-density infill and renew ageing Housing Trust homes.

Under the rezoning push, the 33.5ha army cadets site would have between 1500 to 3000 new homes, with at least 15 per cent affordable housing, in addition to 1400 new homes across Angle Vale and 1300 just north of the site.

Rezoning would allow thousands of new homes to be built between the area’s largest shopping centre and major public transport links to Gawler and the CBD.

It’s an expansion of an earlier bid to rezone the barracks for a new masterplan of a wider 163ha area taking in the shopping centre, Smithfield and Broadmeadows train stations and local ovals, up to Anderson Walk.

The shopping centre offers “potential for mixed-use growth”, documents say, while new retail and open space – and better links to public transport – would improve the area’s liveability.

The rezoning would encourage medium and high-density residential – such as townhouses and apartment buildings – and mixed-use activity across the entire area, which includes Playford City Baseball Club’s home-ground at Broadmeadows, Smith Creek and Smithfield oval and gardens.

Existing open space will not be rezoned.

“We have a significant urban infill and regeneration opportunity at Smithfield,” Housing Minister Nick Champion said.

The border in red is the area proposed to be rezoned to allow the high-density housing. The larger area in blue around the Munno Para Shopping Centre is an Urban Activity Zone and would not have housing but could have new retail or commercial.

“The surrounding areas consist of old Housing Trust stock that needs updating. This code amendment will investigate what’s needed to reimagine the entire area and provide a holistic plan for its future.”

Now the responsibility of Renewal SA, the barracks were given to the state government in an AUKUS land-swap deal with the Defence Department.

The SA Housing Trust owns many residential properties within the affected area – under the rezoning, homes could be redeveloped to increase density and improve urban design and building efficiency.

Investigations for the rezoning proposal are underway, including traffic, land use, building heights, connectivity and infrastructure analysis.

Once they are complete, the code amendment will be released for public consultation.

Traffic reports for the new homes at Munno Para north of Curtis Rd recommended duplicating the major thoroughfare.

Playford Council was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Smithfield army barracks to get up to 3000 new medium-high density homes under Housing Dept rezone plan