The fast-approaching end to the financial year marks another 12 months of sustained effort to deliver lasting impact in South Australia, across Renewal SA projects.

Our focus has remained on addressing housing supply, affordability and diversity and we are making significant progress in planning and delivering projects – both in Adelaide and in the regions.

This week the government announced additional funding for a major revitalisation project in Seaton which is set to deliver more than 1,450 homes including nearly 400 revamped public housing homes in the area over the next ten years.

The project will include increased affordable housing and feature improved streetscapes, green corridors and a substantially increased tree canopy. Homes in Stage 1 of the project are on sale now.

Residential construction activity is growing faster in South Australia than any other state or territory in the nation – underlining the collective efforts being made to address the need for housing.

Renewal SA is striving to far exceed the statutory provision for 15 per cent affordable housing and is including public housing in our projects where possible, to reflect the government’s desire to increase stock in critical areas. Some examples include:

• Prospect Corner – 55% affordable, including affordable rentals
• Playford Alive, Newton Boulevard – 57% affordable, including 25 affordable rentals
• Bowden (Second Street) – 100% affordable; 36 affordable rentals and 34 sales will be affordable
• Bowden (Third Street) – 95% affordable
• Tapangka on Franklin (former bus station) - 35% affordable
• Thebarton (former West End Brewery) – at least 20% affordable, equating to approximately 200 homes
• Noarlunga – 30% affordable housing and social housing
• Seaton – 50% affordable housing and social housing

Our project partnerships are also setting higher targets:

• Former Brompton Gasworks – 17% affordable via MAB Corporation
• St Clair – 45% affordable via Peet
• Oakden Rise – 25% affordable via Villawood Properties

Projects at Bowden and Prospect were submitted in March under Round One of the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund. They demonstrate our absolute commitment to delivering a pipeline of affordable housing in desirable and accessible locations.

In March 2024, the Office for Regional Housing invited local governments, regional employers, the development industry, and other stakeholders to submit proposals for the $10 million Regional Housing Initiatives Program. This program aims to collaborate with local councils, industries, and key employers to support the planning and execution of housing projects that enhance the economic prosperity of the regions.

In the 2024-25 State Budget, the government pledged an additional $20 million over three years to improve housing across regional South Australia. This investment will expand both the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme and the Regional Housing Initiatives Program, facilitating more development activities through partnerships between the Office and local stakeholders.

This update outlines other important highlights from our projects, including at Tonsley Innovation District, unlocking industrial land as well as Festival Plaza and Dock One at Port Adelaide.

You will also notice that we have taken the opportunity to refresh the Renewal SA brand. This updated look has been designed to reflect the capability of our people as well as our strengths as an organisation, with an unwavering focus on creating outstanding economic and community outcomes for South Australia.

We recognise the value that collaboration can bring to our projects and we encourage you to register for upcoming opportunities at SA Tenders and Contracts.

Seaton is set to undergo a once-in-a-generation transformation with the construction of 1,450 new homes and the refurbishment of hundreds of existing public housing units. The project, led by Renewal SA, will focus on a 38.5-hectare area in the suburb’s north-west, bordered by Frederick Road, Glenburnie Street, West Lakes Boulevard, and Tapleys Hill Road.

The project will create a vibrant, medium-density community, offering a mix of affordable, social, and market housing options. The development will include approximately 513 affordable, market, and public housing apartments, 90 apartments managed by a Community Housing Provider, 530 townhouses, and 410 single and semi-detached dwellings.

As part of the suburb’s reimagining, nearly 400 lots currently managed by the SA Housing Authority will be redeveloped. This redevelopment will provide modern, fit-for-purpose public housing and new housing opportunities for home seekers.

The first 28 allotments within Stage 1 are now available for eager purchasers, with prices starting at $380,000 for land and $585,000 for a completed home. The project targets more than 15 per cent affordable living options through both rental and sales opportunities.

Stage 1 Registration of Interest to market is scheduled to occur in late 2024.

A consortium including global design firm Arup, Breathe Architecture and landscape designers TCL, has been selected to prepare the master plan for Renewal SA’s significant urban infill project at Thebarton.

The vision for the Port Road parcel will be led by Arup, with its global track record in delivering sustainable and innovative precincts to be further bolstered by an expert team of Australian and South Australian companies.

Early engagement with stakeholders, including Traditional Owners, will play a pivotal role in shaping the Thebarton Master Plan. Community will be invited to find out more, view and comment on the draft Master Plan via our online engagement site/portal, or by attending one of two face to face drop-in sessions in July.

We are working to create a vibrant, climate-resilient, mixed-use community, pushing boundaries in integrated design and setting a new benchmark for sustainable development in South Australia with a focus on heritage preservation and ecological connectivity.

Our early plans envision the creation of up to 1,000 new homes, with 20% earmarked as affordable housing, enhanced connections to the Adelaide Riverbank and Park Lands, and preservation of heritage landmarks such as the Walkerville Brewhouse.

Dozens of new allotments have hit the market at Playford Alive as part of a fast-tracked stage of the northern Adelaide community.

In the Newton Boulevard estate at Munno Para, a total of 282 land parcels are currently under development, with 161 of these earmarked to be sold at or below the affordable price threshold of $222,750.

Earthworks for these new land parcels are on track to be finalised by October 2024, paving the way for home construction to kick off in the second quarter of 2025.

Bowden’s evolution continues at pace and its skyline is transforming as new projects get underway:

• Sentinel is pioneering Adelaide’s first institutional build-to-rent endeavor, offering 240 purpose-built apartments andredefining rental living with a new housing model.
• A four-storey commercial office building is under construction on Second Street, set to add an influx of daytime workers on completion.
• Renewal SA has partnered with UnitingSA to deliver an all-affordable project for essential workers, first home buyers, single parents and downsizers through a mix of affordable rentals and sales.
• A new residential building designed by ARM will provide 84 apartments with 95% to be offered as affordable rentals. The development has a distinctive design and it will also provide a commercial carpark to support the precinct. The landmark project will be delivered by Renewal SA with the affordable rental apartments to be operated long term by a Community Housing Provider. Specialist disability accommodation will also form part of the offering.

On the back of strong sale volumes, Renewal SA is preparing to release the next opportunity for developers to secure the final sites at Bowden. We will be seeking to deliver both market apartments and commercial-focused opportunities.

We welcome an additional $20 million over three years to improve housing across regional South Australia, recently announced in the 2024-25 State Budget.

We continue to make rapid progress in the delivery of dozens of new homes for frontline workers across regional South Australia.

The developments form part of the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme, which was established by Renewal SA’s Office for Regional Housing to address the critical need for affordable and accessible quality housing options for essential workers in country communities.

Five regional areas were identified as needing specific support to attract and retain key workers including healthcare professionals, emergency responders and teachers. Progress across the state to date includes:

• Port Augusta – frames, roofs and external walls are complete and internal walls underway on four homes
• Mount Gambier – frames complete on four homes and builder working on first fix and external walls
• Mount Gambier - builder selected to construct a further two homes on a separate site
• Kadina – footing slabs for five homes are underway
• Renmark - planning approvals obtained for five homes
• Moonta Bay – development approvals obtained for four homes
• Ceduna – builder selected to construct six homes
• Bordertown - planning continuing for the delivery of five homes within a 55-lot subdivision

The Office is also reviewing 30 submissions received as part of the $10 million Regional Housing Initiatives Program. Priority will be given to tenders that are investment-ready and can commence within 12 months.

The Tonsley Innovation District is continuing to attract new businesses, achieve incredible success stories and take ongoing strides in advancing sustainability. Recent highlights at Tonsley include:

• Trojan Camping and 4X4, Fusco Constructions, ScreenAway and Oilpath are the latest businesses to move to the precinct.
• Peet has announced the expansion of its Tonsley Village development, with plans to add nearly 50 homes and new public open space to the fast-growing community.
• Tonsley was honoured by the Global Institute of Innovation Districts Global Network Program for its innovative strategies driving change decarbonizing, pioneering new energy models, and serving as a dynamic testing ground for climate-centric enterprises.
• Micro-X has designed, developed and manufactured a world-first mobile lightweight CT brain scanner which is on the cusp of revolutionising stroke diagnosis and life-saving treatment.
• The final section of MAB Circuit is now open, bringing enhanced connectivity for our tenants, and the greater Tonsley community. The new section of road creates a continuous loop around the Main Assembly Building (MAB), providing two-way access from the east and west into the TAFE SA car park at the southern end of the MAB. The new road also opens up three new allotments for businesses to join the Tonsley ecosystem.

Kongsberg Defence Australia is reinforcing its dedication to South Australia’s burgeoning defence sector by accelerating the construction of its $25 million Australian manufacturing hub at Technology Park in Mawson Lakes.

The local arm of Norwegian firm Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace secured a 6000m² parcel of land at Technology Park in October 2022 to bolster its involvement in various defence programs.

These endeavors include the advancement of Naval Strike Missile capabilities for Anzac Class Frigates and Hobart Class Destroyers, the enhancement of CORTEX capabilities for Protected Mobile Fires, and the maintenance of NASAMS Ground Based Air Defence systems and Protector Remote Weapon Systems.

It is anticipated the manufacturing and office facility will be operational by the second half of 2024.

The state government has signed a significant commercial deal with Walker Corporation to construct a second proposed office tower within Festival Plaza.

The proposal features a 38-storey tower, with 36 floors of commercial office space as well as retail and dining, 800m² of additional public realm and 3000m² civic space inside the building.

This will attract a further 9,500 workers to the revitalised Riverbank Precinct - bringing with it $1.3 billion in economic activity to the area annually.

It will add to Walker Corporation’s One Festival Tower which was officially launched in February, with anchor tenant Flinders University.

The proposed development is part of the ongoing $1 billion transformation of Festival Plaza, with the state government, Walker Corporation and SkyCity Adelaide reactivating the landmark into a world-class destination.

At completion, Festival Plaza will deliver 16,500m² of renewed open space to the public, contributing to better connections across the broader Adelaide Riverbank.

Construction of the new Dock One pedestrian bridge at Port Adelaide is set to begin mid-year after securing Planning Approval.

The 80-metre-long bridge, funded by Renewal SA and Kite Projects, will enhance the area, offering a scenic promenade for pedestrians and cyclists while providing improved accessibility for the 650-home community and connecting the northern side of the dock with Port Adelaide’s historic centre.

Renewal SA has begun preliminary discussions for bridge naming with the local Kaurna community and City of Port Adelaide Enfield.

Kite Projects also has designs underway to transform the old Marine and Harbors Building on St Vincent Street into a hotel with conference rooms, a restaurant, bars and a gym.

Renewal SA has released four prime allotments in the highly regarded industrial area of Edinburgh. This significant strategic location is development-ready and boasts excellent infrastructure credentials, reflecting our commitment to the strategic development of industrial land.

Key features include flexible zoning to tailor the space to suit your business needs, with access to Adelaide’s major transport networks including the upgraded Northern Expressway, the Northern Connector and Port River Expressway.

These allotments can be purchased separately or in one line, providing a unique opportunity for businesses looking to establish or expand their operations.

For more information can be found here.

Ready to elevate your career? Exciting pathways exist when delivering economic and community outcomes for South Australia through residential, commercial, industrial and urban renewal projects of state significance. Opportunities are available to join our dynamic team. Find out more and unlock your potential today.