Image: Port Adelaide Football Club
Plans for a major new precinct connecting Alberton Oval with Port Road have taken another step forward, with rezoning now underway for a development that could deliver up to 300 apartments.
The proposed Alberton Square development would transform almost 20,000 square metres of land beside Port Adelaide Football Club’s historic home into a mixed-use residential, commercial, health and wellbeing precinct.
Under the proposed rezoning, between 250 and 300 apartments could be developed alongside up to 20,000 square metres of commercial floor space and new retail.
Building heights could also increase considerably, from the current maximum of two storeys to as high as 13 storeys within parts of the precinct.
The State Government estimates the project could support around 570 jobs.
Planning Minister Nick Champion has approved the initiation of the Alberton Square Code Amendment, allowing the Port Adelaide Football Club to progress preparation of the rezoning proposal ahead of formal public consultation.
Importantly, the step does not amount to development approval. A Code Amendment changes the planning policies and zoning that apply to land, with further planning processes required before a development itself can proceed.
“Alberton Square is a proposal that aligns closely with the Malinauskas Government’s strategic housing priorities; homes, jobs and services on a well-connected corridor close to the city,” said Champion.
“A vibrant mixed-use hub of this kind, anchored by the iconic Alberton Oval and within a few kilometres of the AUKUS precinct has the potential to be a significant landmark of the western suburbs.
“There will be a thorough public consultation period, and I’d encourage the Alberton community to get involved and have their say.”
Port Adelaide first publicly unveiled the Alberton Square concept earlier this year after assembling a sizeable stretch of land between the oval and Port Road.
Since 2023, the club has acquired 26 residential properties in the area, combining them with land it already owned to create a site of almost 20,000 square metres.
The original concept centres on commercial, health and wellness, community and residential uses connected directly to the club’s high-performance and sporting facilities.
A particular focus of the proposed rezoning is medical, allied health and wellbeing services, taking advantage of the site’s connection to Alberton Oval’s existing sporting facilities.
A Concept Plan would also guide how taller buildings are positioned across the site, including where the development meets established homes surrounding the precinct.
The site sits near Port Road and is less than a kilometre from both Alberton and Cheltenham railway stations, while bus services also operate along the corridor.
Port Adelaide CEO Matthew Richardson said, “Port Adelaide’s vision for the expansion of the Alberton Oval precinct and opening it up to Port Road has been modelled on similar campus style developments around the world, which incorporate high-performance sports facilities and venues to provide much greater community use and amenity.
“We look forward to being able to proceed with the formal planning process which involves the application for land re-zoning and development approvals through the statutory process.”
The club has also described Alberton Square as part of a broader strategy to create new revenue streams beyond its traditional football operations.
The Code Amendment process is the first major planning hurdle for the development. Port Adelaide has previously said planning approval for the actual project cannot be granted until the necessary rezoning is completed.
The Alberton Square proposal comes as redevelopment continues around Alberton Oval itself, including upgrades to the club’s high-performance and community facilities.
