The state government has achieved a major milestone at the Onkaparinga Heights land release site, striking an agreement with the landowners specifying the infrastructure requirements for the southern suburbs development.

Infrastructure deeds have been signed by all parties, allowing planning, engineering and land division work to start before critical elements of the development such as earthworks, road network, water, wastewater and stormwater begin later this year.  

This could enable construction on the new homes to begin as early as 2026, with at least 2000 new homes to be built at the southern suburbs greenfield development, located at the end of the Southern Expressway.

Formerly known as Hackham, Onkaparinga Heights was one of four sites included in a land release, to increase the supply of residential land to address the housing crisis.

Onkaparinga Heights will be the first of the land parcels to be under construction, with the land already rezoned for housing.

The rezoning process for Dry Creek has recently begun with a code amendment initiated, while both Concordia and Sellicks Beach are also in the rezoning process with community consultation scheduled for 2025.

At least 20 per cent of housing at the 230-hectare Onkaparinga Heights development are expected to be affordable.

Renewal SA proposes to bring the Onkaparinga Heights development opportunity to market in mid-2025.

Minister for Housing and Urban Development Nick Champion says with the infrastructure deeds have been signed, work will soon begin to transform the empty paddock into a new housing development.

“Onkaparinga Heights represents a significant opportunity to provide much needed housing in the tight southern suburbs market which is incredibly popular but has limited strategic infill locations.”