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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-11-19 Daily Xml
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30-YEAR PLAN FOR GREATER ADELAIDE

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:25): My question is to the Minister for Urban Development and Planning. I understand that, through the 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, the government is keen to encourage better use of residential land within the urban growth boundary. Will the minister provide examples of projects using innovative design to increase density within Adelaide's existing suburbs?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:26): The honourable member is correct in pointing out that the draft 30-year plan sets a target for improving the densities of residential housing within the current urban growth boundary. During the three decades of the plan, the government hopes to encourage a 70:30 ratio of urban infill to greenfield development, which in itself will be a significant achievement, given that our current balance is about fifty-fifty.

Some people have criticised the government for identifying some of the land around Mount Barker and Gawler as potential areas to house this state's growing population and called for more focus on infill. Of course, in the next breath, they attack the residential elements of projects such as the Cheltenham Park and Glenside redevelopments, which are just the sorts of examples of the use of density we are seeking to achieve in the 30-year plan.

The inconsistency in their argument is galling, but this just demonstrates the anti-growth, anti-development and anti pretty much everything else stance of some critics. Having said that, I was very fortunate this month to attend the opening of the latest stage of the On Statenborough retirement village in Leabrook.

This impressive development provides an example of what can be done to increase density in a way that is still in keeping with the character of an existing suburb. As members would know, Leabrook is one of Adelaide's more prestigious suburbs. It is difficult to walk through the village and believe that you are in a medium density development.

The relocation of Coopers Brewery, from its inner suburban site to Regency Park, opened up an opportunity to rehabilitate this old industrial site into an important facility for aged care. On Statenborough is a $75 million project that provides a unique lifestyle option, incorporating a range of facilities and support for older South Australians.

While I attended the opening of stage 5 of this project, the final stage is now under construction and should be completed in around March next year. This complex achieves high levels of density but in a way that is sympathetic to its suburban surroundings. It is also located close to facilities, which is one of the other objectives of this government's forward planning—putting people within walking distance of our upgraded transport infrastructure.

In South Australia, our population is older than the Australian average, and our share of the population over 65 is growing faster than the national average. Indeed, the global picture on ageing is very interesting. Globally, one out of every 10 people is 60 years or older; by 2050, one out of every five will be 60 years or older; and by 2150 one out of three people will be 60 years or older. The oldest age group (80 years or older) is the fastest-growing segment of the world's older population, and of this group 64 per cent are women.

This government is committed to major infrastructure investments that will improve health services, expand housing choices, build a more accessible transport system and make communities safer. We also need to ensure that the services required by an ageing population are understood and provided evenly across the Greater Adelaide region.

This older demographic should be able to choose a lifestyle that best suits their needs and encourages them to remain connected with their communities. In South Australia, it is important that we address ageing as an issue to plan for because we have a unique demographic, and that is why the ageing of our population is just one of the factors the government took into consideration in framing its 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide.

With respect to this development on Statenborough, I would suggest that anyone who has the opportunity to go past the old Cooper brewery site will see a very attractive development that integrates beautifully into the surrounding suburb and, in one of South Australia's most prestigious garden suburbs, it shows how we can have relatively high density living, from the information I was given by the developers of the site.

I congratulate David Smallacombe and Simon Chappell, the developers involved, for the high quality of the work they have done, because in a sense it shows the way we can go forward. We can get higher density, including in our existing leafy suburbs, and we can do it in a way that not only meets the needs of the residents but also is a very attractive environment. I congratulate those involved in the project on what they have achieved.

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