Adelaide’s skyline could grow upwards as the South Australian government pushes for taller buildings in the CBD.
The government and Adelaide Airport want to raise the current pre-approval limit of three storeys by another 10-15 storeys to boost residential apartment construction.
Government has begun moves to change its City Building Heights Code to remove what it says are “outdated” height restrictions in Adelaide City’s centre.
The Department for Housing and Urban Development will investigate what will be required to change the Code, including public consultations.
ADELAIDE CBD HOUSING BOOM
Housing and Planning Minister Nick Champion says the city centre has been “held back” for decades by conservative, and complex, rules on building heights.
“We want to lift the lid on the city. More height means more apartments and more places to call home,” he says.
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas believes the changes will drive growth across the CBD “like we have never seen before” with new (residential) buildings going up.
The changes would open almost all of Adelaide’s CBD − from Angas Street to North Terrace and from West Terrace to Hutt Street − to development.
South-west and south-east corners of the CBD, which are mostly established neighbourhoods, would remain unaffected.
The government says even the new height restrictions can be exceeded but all changes are subject to federal approval.
PROPERTY COUNCIL REACTION
Adelaide Airport Managing Director Brenton Cox says they are “very supportive” of measures that boost economic growth in the CBD.
“These changes will help remove unnecessary regulatory burdens to streamline up (the) building development approvals process without compromising the existing safeguards that protect the immediate airspace around the airport,” he says.
Property Council of Australia SA Executive Director Bruce Djite welcomes the news.
“The Adelaide CBD is the greatest infill site in the country and brimming with potential,” he says.
“This announcement sends a strong market signal that not only is Adelaide open for business, welcoming of capital and ready to grow up but that the State Government is just as ambitious as industry about the future of our city.”
The Malinauskas Government is also promising a $500 million pre-sale guarantee fund to unlock more apartments in the CBD in their next term.
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