Planning Minister Nick Champion today announced the approval for a longstanding bid to rezone the old SA Water Wastewater Treatment Plant on the corner of Frederick Road and Lochside Drive at West Lakes.

The 19.8-hectare site is near the West Lakes waterfront and around 10km northwest of the CBD.

The wastewater plant was shut down in 2004 and the site purchased by developers Potentia West Lakes, which in 2021 funded a planning code amendment to rezone the site for housing.

The Minister’s approval allows 489 new medium density homes on the site as well as potential commercial uses. Fifteen per cent of new homes will be classed as affordable houses.

However, Champion has limited the maximum height for the site to four storeys. The developer had sought five storeys, while many local residents wanted only two.

Champion argued today that the “predominant thing” residents wanted was for the edge of the site to be waterfront zoned in keeping with the existing development in West Lakes.

He also said the rezoning would only allow four-storey development in the centre of the site, rather than on the edges.

“As you come in closer… to the centre, closer to the heritage buildings, (the building height) will go up,” he said, adding the maximum heights are “pretty modest”.

“So that’ll be a great outcome – local residents will be able to walk through the park here, enjoy the open space… come for a coffee or a beer or something at the redone heritage building.

An aerial shot of the West Lakes site. Image: SA govt/supplied

Local heritage buildings on the West Lakes sites have been earmarked for adaptive reuse. Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily

“I mean this is going to be a sensational outcome, not just for the people who live here but for everyone.”

Champion and Premier Peter Malinauskas also announced today that the government has approved rezoning bids in Hillier Park and O’Sullivan Beach.

The Hillier Park development is a 23.1-hectare land parcel on Hillier Road earmarked for 400 new homes. The government said it will feature a new residential park with affordable accommodation for over 50s.

The O’Sullivan Beach rezoning affects a six-hectare land parcel on Gumeracha Road and Baden Terrace. The site has been earmarked for 114 new low and medium density homes.

Asked when development would start on the three sites, Champion said West Lakes and Hillier Park would start very soon.

Planning Minister Nick Champion at Tuesday’s press conference. Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily

“I think work will begin on this site (West Lakes) very very soon,” Champion said, “They basically have been agitating to get going, so I think they’re raring to go here.

“At Hillier Park – same deal. There’s a great deal of demand for… small allotments and residential parks. We spoke to the planner there yesterday and they think it’s immediate.”

Public transport challenge ahead for West Lakes site

A lack of public transport connection to the West Lakes development site was one of the residents’ concerns voiced during the code amendment process.

The nearest bus stop to the future development is around 800 meters south on Frederick Road.

The Planning Minister said additional bus services would have to wait until when people move into the area.

“Public transport follows density – nothing engages public transport like people being here,” he said.

“You wouldn’t run a bus down here at the moment because there’s nobody working here or living here.

“So once this development’s done, (Transport) Minister (Tom) Koutsantonis can look at the provision for buses.”

Local MP and Treasurer Stephen Mullighan wrote to the City of Charles Sturt Council on November 24, 2022 “on behalf of West Lakes residents” raising concerns about a lack of public transport to the site.

Mullighan’s letter also highlighted residents’ concerns about five-storey housing on the site.

“Generally, residents oppose the construction of residences higher than two storeys and fear overcrowding in medium density dwellings,” he wrote.

“Higher towers are opposed for the same reason. In this context many are concerned that the development would alter the character of the suburb.”

A waterfront zone will apply to new dwellings on the edge of the development site. Image: SA govt/supplied

Asked if the Treasurer supported the development, Champion said: “The local member was really active and vocal champion for his community as you would expect.

“He made a number of submissions to the council and a number of submissions as part of the code amendment process, basically talking about all the things that residents were – the waterfront zoning, the provision of open space and the height issue.”

Asked if the local MP got what we wanted, Champion said: “Well, what I think this is is a win-win.”

“I mean, I think this will sell like hotcakes. I think this will go very quickly.”