The Fleurieu sits within the Greater Adelaide area and planning for its future development is now up for discussion.

South Australians can have their say on how the state grows over the next 30 years as consultation on urban, land, and housing development through to the 2050s begins.

The State Planning Commission has released the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan Discussion Paper, which provides a unique opportunity for the community to discuss the long-term planning vision and needs of Greater Adelaide.

This is defined as the 11,000km stretching from Cape Jervis to Murray Bridge and encompassing the townships of the Barossa and the boundary of Port Wakefield.

Approximately 85 per cent of the state’s population lives in the Greater Adelaide Region.

The Discussion Paper poses important questions for South Australians to consider and debate. 

They include where new housing and employment lands should be developed and how these homes should be serviced.

It also asks how the state should preserve its environmental assets and what major infrastructure will be required for future generations. 

When planning for growth the state must tackle the challenges of climate change, public space, and amenity while balancing pressures including affordability. 

The state government has estimated an additional 300,000 homes will be needed over the next 30 years.

It recognises that growth constraints, especially in the southern suburbs, mean additional supply opportunities are only likely to be attained by activating urban centres or urban regeneration projects. 

The release of the new Greater Adelaide Regional Plan Discussion Paper is the scheduled review and follows the release of the 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide in 2010 and subsequent 2017 update.

Copies of those respective reports are available on the Plan SA website. 

The Discussion Paper will be subject to a 12-week consultation period, with the feedback and responses provided to be presented to the state government for consideration as the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan is formulated for publication in the final quarter of 2024.

Planning Minister Nick Champion encourages people to read the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan Discussion Paper, participate in the debate and provide their feedback by heading to the Plan SA website. 

“While the government seeks to tackle the immediate challenges of the housing crisis head on, longer term strategic planning needs to occur for the benefit of our state,” he says.

“The Discussion Paper is designed to allow the community to have a thoughtful discussion and mature conversation about how South Australia should continue to grow and develop. 

“The work undertaken and feedback provided throughout this Discussion Paper will truly shape our state for the next generations.”