Hundreds of new homes, including integrated affordable and social housing, will be constructed at Noarlunga Downs as part of a major master-planned development bordering the South Adelaide Football Club complex.

600 homes will be delivered across two land parcels to the east and west of Lovelock Drive in what will be a significant infill project to transform approximately 22 hectares of under-utilised space into a burgeoning new community, close to key amenities.

The new community will be delivered in partnership between Renewal SA and the SA Housing Authority.

Chief among the development’s objectives will be exploring ways to enhance pedestrian connections to nearby infrastructure and services, including Colonnades Shopping Centre, Noarlunga TAFE, Noarlunga Hospital and Noarlunga Railway Station to make them safer and more accessible.

An open space network that provides better connection to the football oval will also be a key priority along with better links for students to Cardijn College.

Renewal SA will collaborate and engage with all relevant stakeholders to ensure master planning for the residential development thoughtfully considers these neighbouring community assets, and that any interfaces are designed in a co-ordinated way that enhances the overall flow and use of the space.

The purposefully designed community, which will become home to approximately 1,200 residents, will be delivered over the next seven to ten years and feature more than 15% affordable housing, including purchase options and affordable rentals via Community Housing Provider partnerships, plus at least 80 new social houses to add to the Authority’s pool of public housing options.

Social housing will include both apartment and townhouse living, offering greater choice for future residents.

12.5% of the project site will be dedicated to open space, and strong urban design guidelines will assist in the establishment of a significant tree canopy. Careful consideration will also be given to the steep topography of the land, to enable enhanced stormwater management, water-sensitive urban design, recreation, and biodiversity benefits across green space.

The Noarlunga Downs project is the sixth Renewal SA-led development opportunity identified as part of the government’s A Better Housing Future plan and its commitments under the National Housing Accord, which seeks to deliver 50,000 new social and affordable homes across Australia from 2024.

Other development-ready projects submitted for funding support through the proposed $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund include Bowden (96 rental apartments across two projects), Prospect (72 rental apartments across two projects) and Playford Alive (249 new homes including 25 affordable rentals).

If approved, this urban renewal authority pipeline will deliver more than 1,000 new homes to the South Australian property market over the next decade, including 750 affordable and social housing options.

Minister for Human Services Nat Cook said the development would provide more housing outcomes for South Australians.

“We know that social housing is such an important part of the housing mix. We are delighted to announce more will be located in the heart of a thriving community, adjacent to established services and essential facilities such as public transport.”

SA Housing Authority Chief Executive Michael Buchan said the project was an opportunity to build properties better suited to what tenants need.

“This is an opportunity for us to deliver a greater variety in the types of dwellings we can offer to our tenants, so that we have a better chance of matching a tenant to their right housing to suit their needs, whether that is a larger or smaller property.”

The current price point for affordable homes in Greater Adelaide is $417,000 to $479,550. Affordable homes are available exclusively to eligible buyers earning less than $130,000 per year as a couple or family, or $100,000 as a single person.

Further master-planning and community engagement for the Noarlunga Downs project will occur during the next six months with civil works expected to commence in 2024. Home construction is scheduled to start in early 2025 with residents to move in from 2026.