The State Government’s 30-year Plan for Greater Adelaide has allowed for the Barossa, Gawler, Light and Mallala councils to increase by up to 110,000 people by 2040.

Under the plan, the region would be gradually prepared for population growth from about of 65,000 to more than 170,000.

This is 29,000 people less than the draft 30-year Plan.

Feedback has led to a range of changes.

The size of the Concordia growth area has been reduced to limit the impact of population growth on the town of Gawler.

The plan will limit this growth area to help retain Gawler’s town character and limit traffic through the town centre.

Not all of this growth is located adjacent to the town of Gawler and includes some growth at Two Wells, Mallala, Lyndoch and Tanunda.

Significant increases will occur in the new growth area at Roseworthy to the north of Gawler.

Development at Roseworthy will be planned to be sustainable and self sufficient to ensure that new residents will not rely on existing services and infrastructure in Gawler.

Tony Piccolo has welcomed the scaled back population target for Concordia.

Mr Piccolo said the decision to revise the Concordia targets was good for Gawler and took into account the concerns expressed.

“This decision will certainly help reduce the impact on any eastern connector road that may be built to help manage Gawler’s current and future traffic needs,” he said.

The Labor politician said the Concordia scale back was evidence the State Government was prepared to listen to the community and local councils and make changes.

Penny Johnston, the Greens candidate for Light, believes the plan - as it relates to Gawler, Concordia and Roseworthy - is inconsistent and misleading.

“Across a number of key areas, the 30 year plan will not serve Gawler, Roseworthy, Concordia or Barossa well,” Ms Johnston said. “The government must acknowledge that highly productive agricultural land will be consumed by houses.”