The suburb of Felixstow may soon see an enhanced assortment of housing options, led by a rezoning initiative that aims to increase retirement living facilities and other residential services. This venture was proposed in response to Adelaide’s progressively ageing demographic, announced by Nick Champion, Minister for Housing and Urban Development.
The proposed rezoning affects a 2.3-hectare site located at the intersection of O.G. Road and Turner Street in Felixstow. The plan introduces a diverse assembly of housing solutions, including independent and specialist disability living units, aged care facilities, and sections for social and affordable housing. The initiative also includes a Build to Rent scheme to encourage an intergenerational community fabric.
The project involves a code amendment investigation which will examine the possibilities of adjusting building heights within the area. Expected new building heights are planned to range from two to six levels. The primary design involves constructing six-storey structures along the frontages of Turner Street and O.G. Road, gradually transitioning to two-level structures closer to the pre-established low-rise residential zones near Aldersgate Drive.
“This proposal looks at providing more housing and lifestyle choices for Adelaide’s increasingly an ageing population,” shared Nick Champion.
“As well as providing more housing, the proposal looks at supporting infrastructure as well as community facilities.
“Investigations will look at whether the area can support an increase in density and if six-storey residential development is appropriate for the area.”
The master plan for the area suggests applying the Urban Corridor (Boulevard) Zone, aiming to facilitate a mix of medium to high-density residential buildings along with educational and medical facilities, a childcare centre, and other community services. This positioning is strategic, located directly opposite the Payneham Library and Community Centre and the Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre.
Key features of the master plan include the retention of the existing single-storey chapel on the northern boundary and the maintenance of the current at-grade parking facilities. The plan also foresees the consolidation of vehicle access points to the site and the enhancement of pedestrian pathways. Moreover, an area constituting 56 per cent of the site is reserved for soft landscaping and deep soil planting, which includes communal open spaces at ground level.
Integral to the community’s heritage, the master plan accommodates the adaptive reuse of the State Heritage-listed Forsyth House, and it continues the operation of the Aldersgate Residential Aged Care Facility.
With the initiation of the Felixstow (Aldersgate) Intergenerational Community Code Amendment, further detailed investigations and community consultations are expected. These steps are critical before the proposal can be advanced to the Minister for Planning for a final determination.
Local residents and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the upcoming consultations to share their perspectives and help steer the development plans in a direction that benefits the community at large. The focus is on clear communication and transparency in the implementation phases to ensure alignment with the community’s interests and the project’s long-term sustainability goals.
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