BOWDEN URBAN VILLAGE

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (15:05): My question is to the Minister for Housing and Urban Development. The Bowden project was approved by the state government a little over two years ago. Can the minister advise whether apartment construction has commenced?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (15:05): I thank the member for Torrens for this important question. On Friday of last week we celebrated a significant milestone at the Bowden development with an official sod turning event to mark the commencement of the construction of the first apartment building. Rossdale Homes is the first developer to begin construction on its Bowden Seven development, a three-storey, 16-apartment complex. These one, two and three-bedroom homes sold out within a week of release to the market in December 2012.

At the event I met with purchasers Angela and Drew Ellis and their daughter Georgia, who are all very excited about moving to such a vibrant development and community with an exceptional local member of parliament. Residents are expected to move in when the construction concludes in March 2014. With the start of residential construction, we can see this former 16-hectare industrial site taking shape as one of the most significant developments in Adelaide's recent history.

This milestone begins the realisation of the vision and innovation that Bowden brings and the benefits of a high-quality and well designed, walkable urban neighbourhood. It will be home to more than 3,500 people. Other successful developers from the first release, ACDEV and Systembuilt, are expected to commence construction in the next couple of weeks. ACDEV will build a further 16 apartments directly adjacent to Rossdale, and Systembuilt will be the first developer to commence delivery of terrace-style housing.

Coming back to an earlier point, the apartment complex now under construction sold out within a week of release to the market. There is no better evidence to this government that the decision we made in firstly offering the housing construction grant and then extending it was the right one. We chose to extend the grant to keep South Australians in jobs and South Australian companies in business. Bowden is being delivered as a people-first precinct with a promise to deliver a unique and vibrant community while embracing the history and charm of surrounding suburbs. It is a wonderful example of how design can lead to the social and sustainable outcomes we need into the future.