SA Government Moves to Secure Development Land for the Future

The Malinauskas Labor Government is set to introduce a bill to amend the Environment and Food Production Areas (EFPA), ensuring a steady supply of development-ready land for the next 30 years. This change aligns EFPA boundaries with the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan (GARP), unlocking land for up to 61,000 new homes and addressing South Australia’s housing needs.

Addressing the Housing Crisis

Without these changes, South Australia’s housing shortage could persist for another generation. The current EFPA restrictions prevent the rezoning and development of key greenfield growth sites identified in GARP for the next 15 to 20 years. These sites include Roseworthy, Two Wells, Murray Bridge, Victor Harbor, and Goolwa.

The proposed EFPA adjustments represent less than one per cent of agricultural land in Greater Adelaide. Comprehensive land suitability assessments have ensured that environmental and agricultural values are considered in the rezoning process.

Planning for Sustainable Growth

To prevent future shortages, the bill will enable detailed land use and infrastructure planning to commence immediately. The Malinauskas Labor Government has already approved 30 code amendments, rezoning 500 hectares for at least 7,000 new dwellings. In contrast, the previous Liberal Government rezoned fewer than 190 hectares in four years, contributing to the current housing crisis.

Over the next 30 years, South Australia will need approximately 315,000 additional homes. The GARP outlines a balanced approach, incorporating both greenfield developments and strategic urban infill to meet this demand.

Aligning Policy with Growth Needs

The existing EFPA legislation was based on an outdated target that prioritized 85 per cent infill development. The upcoming bill will modernize the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 to ensure EFPA boundaries reflect current government policy and growth objectives.

Government Statements

Peter Malinauskas, Premier of South Australia “We know our state is growing, and we must ensure it grows in the right way. That means learning from past mistakes, where unchecked growth led to poorly planned urban sprawl. We need to provide housing choices that cater to all South Australians—whether it’s urban living near the city or family homes in the suburbs.”

Nick Champion, Minister for Planning “Ensuring a steady supply of development-ready land is critical to preventing future housing crises. The EFPA changes align with government policy and remove outdated greenfield vs. infill targets. Less than one per cent of the EFPA will be affected, and the land identified for development is already well-connected to infrastructure.”

What’s Next?

The bill to amend the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 will be introduced to Parliament this week. If passed, it will pave the way for sustainable, well-planned growth in South Australia, securing housing supply for generations to come.