The Designated Entity, Gums ADHI Pty Ltd, is consulting on a Code Amendment to rezone land from the Deferred Urban Zone to the Master Planned Township Zone.
The Affected Area is currently located within the Deferred Urban Zone, and has been identified as land preserved for future urban growth. The Affected Area is contiguous with its neighbouring residential area and is of a size and location that does not render it suitable for continued agricultural use. The Environment Food and Production Area (EFPA) places constraints on the expansion of Middleton in other areas further north and to the immediate west of the Affected Area to protect the viable agricultural areas of the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Middleton is one of a number of popular coastal townships in the tourism region of Fleurieu Peninsula. Visitors stay in the popular Middleton Caravan Park which is centrally located in the township, in holiday home rentals or in their own holiday homes. According to Ethos Urban Pty Ltd (May 2022), the popularity of holiday homes and holiday rentals can be emphasised by the relatively low dwelling occupancy rate of only 34.8% in the urban area of Middleton at the time of the 2016 ABS Census of Population and Housing.
A rise in increased demand for housing in regional, coastal locations, as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, together with its offering as an attractive township due to its location to quality surf beaches and small-town lifestyle, presents an opportunity to provide a supply of low-density residential land in Middleton to a currently constrained market.
The Code Amendment seeks to rezone the Affected Area to the Master Planned Township Zone. The rezoning of the Affected Area to facilitate low-density residential allotments is therefore a logical one given the demand for new dwellings in Middleton.
The proposal is consistent with the goals, strategies and objectives of Alexandrina Council's A2040 strategic plan and draft Economic Development Strategy 2022 — 2027. Furthermore, the strategy is consistent with the strategic objectives and policy directions contained in The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide (2017 update) and assists in addressing the growth challenges expressed in the Land Supply Report for Greater Adelaide (June 2021).
