Public Works Committee: Greater Seaton Renewal Project

Mr BROWN (Florey) (11:50): I move:

That the 90^th report of the Public Works Committee, entitled Greater Seaton Renewal Project, be noted.

The Greater Seaton Renewal Project is part of a broader state government strategy intended to address housing pressures by delivering public housing and affordable homes. Last year, the government released a plan for A Better Housing Future, providing a range of initiatives and projects with the goal of delivering quality public housing, more affordable homes, more support for people to buy homes, more affordable rental opportunities and greater protection for people who rent.

Working from these goals, the Greater Seaton Renewal Project also contributes to targets outlined in the National Housing Accord, as well as the key priorities in Renewal SA's Strategic Plan 2023-26, including providing affordable housing, creating communities and ensuring a sustainable future.

Renewal SA, also known as 'the agency', has identified a large concentration of dated SA Housing Trust assets in the Seaton area suitable for redevelopment, with many being small dwellings on large blocks. The site is approximately 11 kilometres from the Adelaide CBD and stretches across 48 acres bound by Frederick Road, Glenburnie Street, West Lakes Boulevard and Tapleys Hill Road. Acquiring these properties, as well as some private housing in the area, Renewal SA will replace the underutilised dwellings with a range of higher density public and private housing that will vastly increase the available number of homes in the area.

The project will require the input of 388 existing Housing Trust dwellings, as well as the acquisition of up to 50 privately owned properties. The public housing stock is currently highly concentrated, accounting for 77 per cent of housing in the identified area, comprised mainly of low-density dwellings. By redeveloping this area, this project will create 1,315 new dwellings, inclusive of 865 single and townhouse dwellings, as well as 450 apartments. These figures include replacing the existing public houses on a one-to-one basis, while producing a large volume of much-needed new housing. The project has set a minimum affordable housing target of 15 per cent, equating to 197 dedicated affordable dwellings. The project will also disperse the concentration of public housing to a target of 30 per cent.

A commitment to new quality public spaces and streetscapes will also create a distinct and vibrant neighbourhood amenity by providing a minimum target of 12½ per cent public and open space, in addition to the existing Pedlar Reserve; creating new infrastructure, roads and enhanced street amenities; providing a target tree canopy of 25 per cent; and building housing that responds to future climate needs.

Renewal SA estimates a total project cost of $187.2 million, consisting of civil and infrastructure works, landscaping, public realm, the acquisition of private dwellings and associated professional consultancies. It is estimated that the SA Housing Authority will spend $205 million for the construction of its 388 dwellings within the project and will seek an additional $7.3 million to undertake tenant relocations. The agency anticipates sales of the developed lots and built forms to provide $217 million in revenue and an estimated contribution of $244 million to gross state product over the project construction period. The project is also anticipated to create 138 full-time equivalent jobs, peaking at 186 in 2033-34. Cabinet approved the whole-of-life funding for the project in May of this year.

Renewal SA has begun to engage with key consultants for the project and community and Kaurna engagement on the master plan commenced last month. Tenant relocation and demolitions are expected to begin by the second quarter of 2025, with landscape and dwelling construction due to commence in July 2025. It is anticipated for the first residents to move in during 2027, with the entire project targeted for completion in 2036. The project has identified potential risks, such as:

delays in the tenant relocation program, which would impact on delivery timeframes and budgets;

complications with strategic property acquisitions, for which Renewal SA is investigating compulsory acquisition under the Urban Renewal Act, should it be required;

delays caused by works dependent on service authorities, for which Renewal SA has engaged SA Water and SA Power Networks in advance to mitigate any problems that might arise;

development approvals for apartment height, which Renewal SA is currently pursuing a code amendment for; and

construction timeframes and costs, for which Renewal SA has implemented management frameworks.

To build a future-ready neighbourhood, Renewal SA has adopted principles and objectives of the Green Star Communities National Framework. This includes enhancing the natural environment through the open space and tree canopy targets, as well as from reducing the ecological footprint through a waste management plan for construction waste, and by fostering sustainable cultures and behaviours by developing a community users' guide.

A cultural and heritage assessment is underway and a search of the Central Archive, including the Register of Aboriginal Sites and Objects, has identified no entries for Aboriginal sites found within the project area. Project delivery will adhere to a cultural heritage management plan, which is being prepared with protocols agreed to in Kaurna consultation. There is no anticipated impact on state or local heritage. The master plan proposes further cultural and heritage engagement.

A feasibility study has identified the project's service requirements and the need for a number of service upgrades. SA Water has provided advice regarding upgrading and possibly relocating the existing sewer pump station and pumping mains, and Renewal SA has sought advice concerning the existing water mains, sewer augmentation and the internal distribution centre. Consultation with SA Power Networks has given advice regarding substation supplies to the area and the associated threshold.

The feasibility study assumes that the proposed development will not exceed the threshold and allows for standard augmentation charges and upgrades to adjacent substations may accommodate the renewal project. Renewal SA proposes that a project civil contractor will undertake all service authority works to reduce costs, improve construction programs and reduce the impact of SA Water works programs.

Following cabinet approval, the project has undertaken early community engagement with residents and businesses through letterbox drops. The agency has also developed a community and stakeholder engagement plan, and face-to-face engagement sessions are anticipated to commence imminently. An ongoing communication plan with key stakeholders has been drafted and will be regularly reviewed during the project delivery.

The City of Charles Sturt has been consulted during the development of the master plan, discussing a range of key objectives, including potential contribution for out-of-scope items, such as key interfaces and the Tapleys Hill Road retail precinct.

The committee has examined written and oral evidence in relation to the Greater Seaton Renewal Project. Witnesses who appeared before the committee were Mr Shane Wingard, Acting Executive Director, Property and Major Projects, Renewal SA; Peter Gatsios, Acting Executive Director, Residential Project Delivery and Assets, Renewal SA; and Michael Wood, Executive Director, Commercial and Business Services, Renewal SA. I thank the witnesses for their time. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the member for Lee who provided a written statement to the committee in support of this project in his electorate.

Based upon the evidence considered and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public work.

Motion carried.