Seaton is set to undergo a once-in-a-generation transformation with the construction of 1,450 new homes and the revamp of hundreds of dated public housing stock across the western suburb.
A 38.5-hectare segment of Seaton’s north-west – bordered by Frederick Road, Glenburnie Street, West Lakes Boulevard and Tapleys Hill Road – will be the focus of a new master plan by Renewal SA, that will deliver hundreds of new affordable, social and market housing for home seekers and a more vibrant medium-density community for the long term.
Nearly 400 SA Housing Authority lots will be redeveloped as part of the suburb’s reimagining to allow for the creation of more fit-for-purpose public housing plus the construction of new housing, including approximately:
- 513 affordable, market and public housing apartments, including 90 apartments managed by a Community Housing Provider
- 530 townhouses
- 410 single + semi-detached dwellings
Eager purchasers keen to buy into this exciting new community can so do from today, with the first 28 allotments within Stage 1 now on the market and offering a variety of housing options suitable for singles, couples and families. Pricing starts from $380,000 for land and $585,000 for a completed home.
The new community is targeted to deliver more than 15% affordable living through both rental and sales opportunities.
The current number of public houses will be retained in the final transformation and the SA Housing Authority will work with existing tenants to re-locate them to appropriate alternative accommodation. This process will occur in stages over the next 10 years. Tenants relocated in the latter stages may have the option to remain in the area by moving directly into newly completed homes within earlier stages.
Immediately affected tenants will be contacted by the SA Housing Authority this week.
Seaton residents will benefit from improved streetscapes and upgrades to public spaces, including new reserves and a substantially increased tree canopy to complement the existing green space at Pedlar Reserve. Much needed infrastructure upgrades will also be targeted.
Stage 1
Works are already underway on the 2.1-hectare first stage – bounded by Matthews Avenue in the north, Lark Avenue in the east, Glenburnie Street in the south and Frederick Road in the west – which will deliver the project’s first 137 dwellings. New, high-quality social housing will also form a key part of this initial stage, as will the inclusion of affordable apartments.
The new housing options include:
- 31 SA Housing Authority homes (nine houses and 22 apartments), up from 16 in previous plans
- at least 68 affordable homes (27 terraces and 41 apartments), up from 43 in previous plans
- and at least 38 market homes (14 houses and 24 terraces)
Construction has also commenced on the first four social housing dwellings within Stage 1, with works to get underway shortly on the first affordable homes. The latter are expected to be complete and turn-key ready by the end of 2025.
Subsequent stages of the broader Seaton project will be delivered via a rolling program starting in 2025, to bring a consistent supply of new allotments to market across the life of the project. Dwellings will be ready for residents to move into roughly 12 months after their construction begins.
The local community will have the opportunity to view and provide feedback on the project’s master plan and public open spaces, building on previous engagement conducted as part of the state government’s Neighbourhood Renewal Program. This engagement will commence at the end of June.
Renewal SA Chief Executive Chris Menz said the master plan would deliver improved housing and lifestyle outcomes for all segments of the market.
“It’s not often that you get an opportunity to give a suburb such a dramatic revitalisation and in such a co-ordinated way,” Mr Menz said.
“Strategically redeveloping this government land provides a real opportunity to make wholesale improvements to the Seaton area by not only providing more housing but more fit-for-purpose housing which delivers a greater sense of connection and belonging for residents.
“The Seaton project will demonstrate the importance of urban renewal and the significant opportunities and impact that can be created for a community socially, economically and environmentally through improved housing choices and infrastructure, and greater integration with open spaces and neighbourhood amenities.”
SA Housing Authority Chief Executive Michael Buchan said the revitalisation and property mix would provide tenants with more housing options to choose from.
“Traditionally, our homes are older post-war homes that have three bedrooms and are on large blocks, and we don’t have a lot of differing stock to give our tenants much of a choice. Our senior tenants, many of whom are single households, are looking for smaller properties that are easier to maintain and better suit their needs,” Mr Buchan said.
“These new properties, particularly the apartments, will provide secure Authority-owned rental homes that enable them to downsize their properties. In recent years, we have built smaller properties, as well larger homes, and the improved options have been very well received by our tenants.”
For further information about the Seaton renewal project and to be notified of upcoming sales releases visit seaton5023.com.au
Located directly opposite Grange Golf Club and Seaton High School, Seaton’s first stage will include a combination of land sales, house and land packages, affordable homes (delivered via the state government’s Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI), affordable rental apartments and SA Housing Authority public housing.
The AHI-supported affordable homes – to be built by Bradford Projects by Scott Salisbury – will be two-bedroom, two-storey terrace homes and are expected to be move-in ready by the end of 2025.
Listing prices for these homes range between $585,000 and $650,000 with eligible purchasers having the option to utilise the government’s HomeStart shared equity finance option, which sees HomeStart contribute up to 25 per cent of the purchase price of a property thereby reducing a purchaser’s mortgage. All affordable housing options offered for sale will sit far below the current median property price for Seaton which is $847,500 according to REA.
Land sales price for the market allotments will start from $380,000.
Seaton was primarily a place for farming until World War II, when the rapid upsurge of industry brought manufacturing to the area. The opening of a munitions factory at Hendon and the Woodville General Motor-Holden assembly plant at Cheltenham prompted the South Australian Housing Trust to develop large pockets of the suburb into low-cost worker housing. These dwellings – generally semi-detached cottages on large blocks – remain today in the form of public housing.