Development giant Delfin Lend Lease is expected to lodge its detailed plans for Gawler East with Gawler Council in three to four weeks.
The move comes after the state government announced it has approved the rezoning of about 400 hectares of land in Gawler East.
The authorisation of the Gawler East development plan amendment (DPA), paves the way for about 3900 houses to be built in the suburb and signals the start of an envisaged housing boom in the region.
Urban Development and Planning minister Paul Holloway said the rezoning is in line with the state government’s 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide.
“The Gawler region is growing at 1.9 per cent a year,” Mr Holloway said.
“So this rezoning will help to ensure land is available for housing as well as addressing the needs for infrastructure, community services, open space and local shopping to keep pace with that demand.
“Not all of the changes envisaged for Gawler East will be immediately realised, but the rezoning does provide a road map to cater for the long-term growth expected in this part of the state.”
Mr Holloway said a formal commitment to provide the major infrastructure required to support the planned development is expected to be signed this month.
“The approved DPA aims to prevent any development that would result in the capacity of the local road network being unacceptably exceeded,” he said.
“This protection is achieved by requiring the construction of a collector road through the development area once a trigger point is reached.
“This trigger point is based on the creation of a specific number of housing allotments in the development area.”
Mr Holloway said the rezoning protects open space and trails, makes provision for community services, commercial and retails outlets.
“This development plan amendment also allows for the rehabilitation of the disused former quarry at Calton Road, which can be transformed for future residential use,” he said.
Delfin plans to build up to 2500 houses on 219 hectares of land in Gawler East.
The development is anticipated to result in a population increase of about 6000 people.
Delfin’s South Australia and Northern Territory general manager Richard Osborne said the company would submit its detailed plans with Gawler Council in the next three to four weeks.
“(The plans) will be in line with the requirements of the DPA, which will allow us to do a typical, broad Delfin allotment mix that is suited to the character of Gawler,” Mr Osborne said.
Gawler Council Development and Strategic Planning director Michael Wohlstadt said now that the land has been rezoned, the key issue is the transport network, which will cost about $70 million to alter.
“The details of the rezoning were not known to the council prior to Thursday’s approval,” Mr Wohlstadt said.
“The council will be keen to understand all of the implications quickly and convey these findings to the community as quickly as possible.
“The negotiations on infrastructure are critical and urgent.”
Member for Light Tony Piccolo agrees traffic issues still need to be addressed.
“We need a new south-eastern connector much sooner than proposed in the DPA,” he said.
Mr Piccolo said he has already met with Transport minister Patrick Conlon to express his concerns and explore possible solutions.
Construction work on new houses in the area could begin within 12 months.
A copy of the Gawler East DPA can be viewed online at www.dplg.sa.gov.au/go/gawler-east -dpa.
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