28 August 2023
Developers will be required to double the number of affordable and public houses they build in all new major developments in South Australia under a Greens bill to be introduced to State Parliament this week.
“South Australia is in the middle of a full-blown housing crisis. It’s clear that we urgently need more affordable and public housing in our state”, said Greens SA Housing Spokesperson Robert Simms MLC.
Currently, new developments are only required to include 15% affordable housing, where a low- or moderate-income household pays no more than 30% of their annual income to rent or buy. This condition only applies to narrowly defined areas in SA.
Under the bill, all new developments of 20 dwellings or more anywhere in South Australia will be required to include at least 30% affordable and social housing, of which:
- 10% must be affordable to buy,
- 10% must be affordable rental accommodation, and
- 10% must be community or public housing.
“The Government has proposed significant land release to boost the supply of housing in our state. It’s vital that there is appropriate return to the community by way of increased social and affordable housing. This bill would ensure that any land release serves the interests of the community rather than just developers. I hope all sides of politics will support this sensible proposal.”
Current Planning Implications
The Government has proposed 22,700 new homes at 4 locations. This table demonstrates the impact of the Greens’ proposal.
| Location | Total houses to be built[1] | Affordable/Social under current code[2] | Affordable/social under Greens bill |
| Hackham | 1,000 | 150 affordable |
100 affordable to purchase 100 affordable to rent 100 social housing |
| Dry Creek | 10,000 | 1,500 affordable |
1,000 affordable to purchase 1,000 affordable to rent 1,000 social housing |
| Concordia | 10,000 | 1,500 affordable |
1,000 affordable to purchase 1,000 affordable to rent 1,000 social housing |
| Sellicks Beach | 1,700 | 255 affordable |
170 affordable to purchase 170 affordable to rent 170 social housing |
| Total | 22,700 | 3,405 affordable |
2270 affordable to purchase 2270 affordable to rent 2270 social housing (6810 in total) |
[1] Source: Media release from the Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Planning
[2] Government has committed to at least 15% for affordable housing as per the code. Source: Media release from the Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Planning