Leading South Australian integrated design firm Oxigen has been enlisted to create a bold, new, sustainable and landscape-led vision for the future development of the UniSA site at Magill.
Renewal SA has appointed the local company, which has helped re-imagine some of South Australia’s best-known places, as the lead design consultant for preparation of the master plan for the site.
The community will be actively engaged in developing a future vision for a high-quality residential development, with a mix of housing types, supported by a range of community, and recreational facilities.
Front of mind will be the retention of the local heritage building Murray House, which will be preserved and incorporated into any future project.
Significant environmental and cultural elements, such as Third Creek and the extensive tree canopy, will also play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the site.
High-level development principles to best realise the state’s ambitions around sustainability, innovation, growth, and housing supply will guide the planning process for the 14.62-hectare parcel, straddling St Bernards Road. These include:
- Enhanced recreation, open space and tree canopy
- Increased housing supply linking to existing public transport and services
- Diversity of medium – higher density housing, including affordable housing (20 per cent)
- Integration with surrounding community
- Sustainable design principles
- Cultural and heritage preservation and adaptive re use
“The site’s natural features, including the creek line with an abundance of significant trees are intended to be a focal point of any future development, and will be prioritised within the project’s master plan for the benefit of the entire community and future generations who will live at and visit the site,” Chris Menz – Chief Executive of Renewal SA said.
“With a strong commitment to principles of sustainable development, the design will prioritise environmental stewardship, from energy-efficient architecture to green spaces that encourage outdoor recreation and communal gatherings.”
The state government bought the entire Magill university campus in late 2023 after UniSA and The University of Adelaide announced plans to merge.
UniSA has a lease for up to 10 years on the main campus site, before transitioning out of the area.
The main 11-hectare site will require rezoning and consultation before any residential redevelopment can take place.
A second 3-hectare parcel of land, east of St Bernards Rd, is zoned for medium-density residential development, which is consistent with the surrounding housing. It has been leased back to the university for the next two to three years.
The community, council, local stakeholders and relevant authorities will be consulted widely throughout the planning process. This will kick off with a series of drop-in meetings with the community, with the dates to be announced later this year.
Oxigen specialises in urban design, landscape architecture, urban planning and ecology, and will lead a multi-disciplinary team to look at key issues on the site, ranging from landscape design, traffic and transport, service planning, community and environmental needs.
Oxigen’s work is featured on key projects including Lot Fourteen, Railway Plaza in Victor Harbor, The Kaurna Circle and Karrawirra Parinangku at the University of Adelaide, Tonsley Innovation District, Glenelg’s Jetty Rd Master Plan, Ikara at Wilpena Pound, and projects for the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.
Renewal SA will be seeking private sector leadership and participation at the appropriate time to deliver on the future residential and mixed-use development at this site.