The State Government are hoping to introduce minimum building height limits on parts of West Terrace, complemented by previously announced increases to allowable building heights across the Adelaide CBD.
This initiative follows a partnership forged last week between the Malinauskas Labor Government and Adelaide Airport. This partnership involves a streamlined airport approval process that would facilitate taller structures within the city centre. Currently, developments over three storeys on parts of West Terrace must undergo a time-consuming airport approval process. The proposed amendment would allow buildings of up to 20 storeys to receive pre-approval for airport-related height regulations in these zones.
These changes are steered by the City Building Heights Code Amendment, which marks the beginning of a formal review aimed at removing obsolete height restrictions to unveil new opportunities for the city’s skyline. Previously, West Terrace has been one of the most development-restricted areas in the city, hindered by stringent building height regulations. The area, populated by low-rise buildings such as car dealerships and service stations, has been identified as lacking in urban vibrancy.
The proposed changes aim to transform West Terrace into a premium cultural boulevard within Adelaide’s CBD. This transformation is expected to activate the western Park Lands more effectively. These house Ellis Park, Adelaide High School, Karen Rolton Oval, and the West Terrace Cemetery, and stand to benefit from increased community and cultural engagement.
Furthermore, these adjustments in building heights, coupled with a commitment from a re-elected Malinauskas Labor Government to establish a $500 million pre-sale guarantee fund, signal a broader strategy to stimulate investment and housing development within the CBD. This initiative is expected to provide more housing options for South Australians.
Nick Champion shared, “Our work on lifting the lid on West Terrace but we also want it to be a beautiful boulevard will allow developers to go build an extra 17 storeys before going through an approval process with the Airport. We need to make sure these developments maximise the potential of their prime location.
Through our planning changes and the announcement of a re-elected Malinauskas Government establishing a $500 million pre-sale guarantee fund, we are showing how committed we are to turning the CBD into a vibrant place to live.”
Lucy Hood, Member for Adelaide, shared, “The current mix on West Terrace of low-rise buildings like car dealerships and service stations doesn’t reflect the character and future vision of our beautiful city. These changes will allow us to better curate West Terrace and transform it into a truly vibrant boulevard where people want to live, work and visit – while also encouraging better activation of our western Park Lands.”
Jane Lomax-Smith, Lord Mayor of Adelaide, added, “I welcome this renewed focus on West Terrace as it’s an opportunity that we are yet to fully grasp. Our City Plan 2036 has identified West Terrace as one of the areas of the city with the greatest potential for growth.
“Further investment and more quality residential development along this important thoroughfare will not only help create a more vibrant precinct but it will also ultimately result in making a ten-lane highway safer for pedestrians and cyclists. And never forget the potential for stunning sea views!”
The proposed developments reflect a strategic move to enhance Adelaide’s urban structure, maximising both aesthetic appeal and functional access to core city spaces.
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