Image is artist impression of Southwark
One of Adelaide’s biggest urban renewal projects is set to grow even larger, with the Southwark Grounds development on Port Road now expected to deliver around 1,700 homes.
The former West End Brewery site was previously planned to include about 1,300 dwellings, but a newly signed Southwark Grounds Code Amendment could unlock about 400 additional homes across the major city-fringe precinct.
The change will allow taller buildings across the 8.4-hectare site, with maximum heights lifted from eight levels to 14 levels on the eastern section, and 12 levels across the remainder of the site. Minimum building heights will range from two to four levels.
The amendment was implemented through an early commencement policy in late January, giving developers the ability to explore increased heights and housing numbers while other planning processes continue.
One of the first developers involved in the precinct has already moved to redesign its plans following the change. Samaras’ development, located beside the future Colonel Light Park, is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys. The original plan was for around 50 apartments across four storeys.
The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.
Minister for Housing and Urban Development and Minister for Planning Nick Champion said the site represented a rare opportunity to deliver housing close to the CBD, transport and jobs.
“Southwark Grounds is one of the greatest urban renewal opportunities this state has ever seen. We are not going to squander it,” Minister Champion said.
“We are doing everything we can to increase housing supply to build more homes for South Australians. By increasing building heights, we will see a significant boost in the number of homes that will be delivered at Southwark.”
The wider Southwark Grounds precinct is being delivered on the former West End Brewery site, with most of the apartments planned for a master-planned area on the eastern portion of the site. The future neighbourhood is expected to include a supermarket, retail and hospitality offerings, a childcare centre, car parking, connected public spaces and the revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower.
Civil works have already begun, including construction of the first new roads around a townhouse precinct in the south-west corner of the site. Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes are on track for completion by Christmas this year, meaning the first residents are expected to move in before the end of 2026.
Renewal SA has received more than 12,000 enquiries from people interested in living at Southwark Grounds.
“We are in a national housing crisis. South Australians deserve a government that will come up with bold, ambitious solutions to increase housing supply,” Minister Champion said.
“That means building up in the right locations – close to the city, close to transport and close to jobs – and making a real and lasting impact on the housing challenge facing South Australia.
“Our political opponents criticised us for buying the former West End Brewery site. They would’ve been happy to see this land lay vacant for years.
“Instead, by the end of this year, the first residents will have moved in, with thousands more to follow over the coming years.”
For more about the project, visit https://southwarkgrounds.com.au/
