Minister approves 900-home plan for Murray Bridge’s west
The state government has given land owners on the city’s western fringe a thumbs up to subdivide and sell their properties if they wish.
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Up to 900 new homes will be built in Murray Bridge’s west after a planned development earned a big tick from the state government this week.
State Planning Minister Nick Champion announced on Wednesday that he had approved the rezoning of three parcels of land in the city’s west:
- 53 hectares along Bremer Road
- 48ha between Adelaide and Old Swanport Roads
- 12ha along Commerce Road
Each of the three areas will now be zoned “suburban neighbourhood”, giving land owners a green light to subdivide and sell their properties for housing if they choose.
Murray Bridge was a city primed for growth, Mr Champion suggested, with 12,500 new residents expected to move in over the next 15 years.
This decision would kick it off.
“Murray Bridge represents one of the most significant opportunities for housing growth in South Australia,” he said.
“It’s important we get it right from the start, and that housing growth is backed by thoughtful planning.
“This decision supports jobs, services and liveable communities, and will ensure housing growth is backed by the infrastructure that residents need.”
Maps show how new neighbourhoods along Bremer Road, Old Swanport Road and Commerce Road could be laid out. Images: Office of Nick Champion.
Any major residential developments in the area will have to include at least 15 per cent affordable housing: homes priced at less than $517,000 or blocks priced at a maximum of $232,650.
The government and council have already hammered out an agreement about who will pay for roads, stormwater pipes and other infrastructure.
Murray Bridge Mayor Wayne Thorley welcomed the rezoning, noting that it was something the council had been working towards “for some time”.
A Murray Bridge council plan for the area even suggests that a linear park could someday run along Bremer Road and Agricultural Drive, and a local shopping precinct could be developed where they intersect Adelaide Road.
Delays had tested land owners’ patience
West end land owners had been lobbying for the zoning change since at least 2014.
It was help up by a statewide, five-year freeze on zoning changes put in place by the state government as it transitioned to a new planning system.
The council then began the process of changing the zones in 2023, leading to a public consultation period later that year and negotiations on the infrastructure scheme in 2024.
The finished document had been awaiting Mr Champion’s approval since late last year.
The sign-off means that new housing developments may finally be able to get started in the face of chronic demand.
Murray Bridge’s population is projected to swell to about 35,000 over the next 15 years.
However, the greatest part of that growth is expected at Gifford Hill, where as many as 17,000 new homes will be built over the coming decades.
- Read more: Murray Bridge’s population will reach 35,000 in 15 years, projection suggests
- More information: plan.sa.gov.au.
