🏗️ Growth

Gifford Hill’s first stage gets underway with land rezoning

Members of the public are invited to have their say as part of the planning approval process, including at two upcoming events.

The first of many stages of development at Gifford Hill will take place in the area encircled in yellow if a rezoning plan is approved. Image: Ethos Urban/Plan SA.

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One of the biggest residential developments in South Australia’s history is about to kick off at Gifford Hill, just outside Murray Bridge.

A public consultation period has begun as developers plan to rezone 116 hectares of land for the development’s first stage, which would include about 1100 homes.

The land, south of the South Eastern Freeway and west of Brinkley Road, consists mostly of open paddocks owned indirectly by the developers and a local family.

The developers, Gifford Hill Farms, hope to change the planning rules in the area to make way for a “master planned neighbourhood”.

That would allow roads, shops and homes to be placed wherever they need to go.

At present, the parcel of land falls under a mix of zones, including rural and rural living.

“Gifford Hill has long been identified as a key growth area for Murray Bridge due to its location, access to regional transport infrastructure and capacity to accommodate future urban expansion,” consultants Ekistics said in a statement.

“The proposed code amendment seeks to apply a consistent planning approach … providing greater certainty for the long-term development of the precinct.

The stony paddocks of Gifford Hill may someday house tens of thousands of people. Photo: Ethos Urban/Plan SA.

“Future development could include a diverse range of housing options, community facilities, recreation areas, education facilities, local shops, offices and other services that support a growing neighbourhood.”

At least one more stage of consultation would apply before anything could be built, even if the zoning changes are approved.

Have your say: Attend a drop-in session at the Bridges Event Centre, Gifford Hill from 4-7pm this Wednesday, August 5; fill in the survey at www.surveymonkey.com; or email engagement@ekistics.com.au, before 11.59pm on September 4.
More information: For the zoning changes, visit plan.sa.gov.au; for the wider development, visit www.giffordhill.com.

James Dibble will explain more about the Gifford Hill development at an event in Murray Bridge next week. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Come and hear more from developer James Dibble

Meanwhile, developer James Dibble will give a comprehensive update on the Gifford Hill development at a business breakfast hosted by Murray Bridge News next week.

Mr Dibble is the managing director of Grange Development, one of the two companies leading the project.

He encouraged members of the public with specific questions to let Murray Bridge News know ahead of time if possible.

About 40 people had already booked at the time of publication.

The breakfast will be supported by the Rural City of Murray Bridge and Connolly Wilson Conveyancing.

Developers Grange Development and the Costa Property Group envision that the Gifford Hill development, announced in 2024, will eventually include 17,000 homes and have a value of more than $7 billion.