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Land in high demand

Group Manager Development, Stewart Payne, said that a rapid increase in the value of development approvals passing through Council is the strongest indicator that things have turned around for the City.

"In the past, Council would approve an average of four or five development approvals per annum for housing, with the vast majority of others being for minor improvements, such as extensions," he said. "Growth in the City is now quite strong. Some 713 applications valued at over $20 million were approved over the 2005/2006 year alone. This stands in stark contrast to the $7.2 million in approvals we processed for the 2002/2003 period.

"The 2005/2006 total included the approval of 55 new houses valued at more than $9 million, which is almost half the year's development approval total. A third of the way though the 2006/2007 year, close to $30 million of development has already been approved or is in the system awaiting approval."

Stewart Payne said the challenge now is identifying land to develop. He said that Council is aiming to keep development confined to infill land rather than vacant lots surrounding the City.

"Town planning during the 1960s catered for economic development and growth for up to 80,000 people," he said. "However, in 1978, the City's shipyards were closed, the steelworks were in trouble and the population declined by one per cent per annum over the following 25 years. With the population now back on the rise, Council needs to pick up where it left off and create a true city centre. Council has turned vacant land in the middle of the city into a retail hub and has approved several residential estates in surrounding areas."

Stewart Payne said that a large proportion of development from the 1960s was in the form of double unit dwellings built by the South Australian Housing Trust. While these were great for workers at the time, people today have different needs and expectations and the City's housing must reflect this.

"One housing estate in particular, Myall Place, had many of these outdated homes," Stewart Payne said. "Some 80 per cent of these were structurally unsound. The Housing Trust, now called Housing SA, demolished these dwellings and undertook a renewal program initially constructing 10 new houses. The private sector has now become involved, with all vacant land in the redeveloped area being sold and new housing either under construction or approved. This urban renewal process is to continue through adjoining areas in the next few years."

Stewart Payne said Council is working to bring suitable land onto the market via negotiation with government agencies.

"Land demand is high with available blocks selling almost as quick as they become available," he said.

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