Images: Cottage Homes
A new Cottage Homes community is underway for Main South Road in Yankalilla, providing affordable housing for older South Australians across the Fleurieu Peninsula.
The development will feature 14 one-bedroom homes built on land leased from Club Fleurieu, with construction being delivered by South Australian builder Sarah Constructions.
Designed specifically for people on the aged pension, the project aims to provide secure, affordable housing while allowing residents to remain connected to their local community.
The homes will be located within landscaped communal gardens featuring paved walkways, outdoor seating areas, private rear courtyards, and on-site parking for residents and visitors. Residents will also have access to the broader Club Fleurieu grounds, including a rose garden, rotunda, fruit orchard and shared gardens, all within close reach of local shops, services and community activities.
What makes the development particularly unique is the use of modular construction, with the homes being manufactured off-site before being transported to Yankalilla for installation. The Sarah Constructions team shared that the method was chosen to help deliver high-quality housing more efficiently and to overcome some of the challenges associated with regional construction projects.
“What attracted us most to this project was Cottage Homes’ commitment to finding a genuine solution to a growing community need,” shared the Sarah Constructions team. “They were seeking the highest quality outcome possible while also delivering homes in the most efficient timeframe. We were particularly drawn to their willingness to embrace innovative construction methods to help address housing challenges for older Australians. It reflects strong leadership and a genuine focus on delivering positive community outcomes.”
The modular construction offers several advantages over traditional building methods, particularly in regional areas where workforce availability and travel can impact construction timelines and costs. Because of this, a lot of the work is completed in a controlled factory environment before the homes are transported to the site and assembled, helping reduce delays and improve quality control.
“Yankalilla’s regional location presents challenges associated with workforce availability and travel. Traditional construction methods often require tradespeople to travel significant distances or stay away from home, adding cost and complexity to the build. By constructing the homes in our metropolitan manufacturing facility, we can significantly reduce these impacts and deliver a more cost-effective outcome.”
Since on-site works began in March, the development has experienced 24 rain-affected days, weather disruptions that would typically impact traditional construction programs. By manufacturing homes indoors, the project can continue progressing regardless of conditions on site.
Sustainability has also played a role in the design and manufacturing process, with material use closely monitored to reduce waste and improve efficiency. Standardised designs have been refined to optimise materials and minimise offcuts, helping lower costs while reducing environmental impact.
The homes have been designed with ageing in place front of mind, incorporating accessibility features and design principles that support independence, safety and comfort as residents’ needs change over time.
The development is expected to provide a much-needed housing option for older people looking to stay on the Fleurieu Peninsula, while also showcasing how innovative construction methods could help address housing challenges in regional South Australia.
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