The Local Government Association of South Australia has welcomed the announcement of a new land development in the Rural City of Murray Bridge LGA which is set to bring 17,100 new homes to the heart of the Murraylands.
The 1,860-hectare development at Gifford Hill is the largest residential project in the state in nearly 70 years and demonstrates the work councils are doing to support housing, jobs and well-planned communities, said LGA SA President, Mayor Dean Johnson.
He said that addressing the shortage of housing in South Australia was a key issue for local and state governments, and “working together on a major land development like this is exciting news and shows local councils are actively playing their part”.
“Not only will this development transform Murray Bridge and attract new investment into the region, critically it will create thousands of new homes less than an hour from Adelaide and deliver a much-needed boost to housing supply,” he said.
“To attract more skilled workers to regional areas – such as doctors, health workers and council planners, all of whom are in huge demand – we need places for them, and their families, to live.
“Ensuring there is enough accommodation available in regional townships gives professionals confidence and security to pursue opportunities outside of metropolitan Adelaide as a viable way to further their careers.
“In Murray Bridge, there’s a job available for anyone who wants one and that needs to be supported by sustainable housing and infrastructure growth.”
President Johnson said Councils understand local priorities and growth opportunities, but often don’t have the developers and builders required to get the work started.
“…And that’s where partnerships with government and key stakeholders, such as the Office for Regional Housing in Renewal SA, are critical.”
“Already, we’ve seen councils across South Australia rezone land, offer rate rebates and provide other incentives to attract greater investment in housing and build stronger communities, and it’s initiatives like this that are starting to yield positive outcomes.
“Developments like Gifford Hill in Murray Bridge demonstrate to the State Government and developers that councils are open for business and can be trusted as delivery partners to help address the housing crisis currently impacting our state.
“I congratulate the Rural City of Murray Bridge on the work they’ve done to secure this exciting development for their region, and I look forward to seeing the transformation and exciting future opportunities it will bring to the Murray Bridge community.”
Murray Bridge is one of the fastest growing areas in South Australia and is set to become the state’s largest regional city.
President Johnson said the Rural City of Murray Bridge is taking proactive steps to prepare for the growth in partnership with government and key stakeholders, ensuring well-planned and connected communities.
The new housing estate is being delivered by the Costa Property Group and Grange Development.
