Search begins for head of new Infrastructure Planning and Development Unit

The global search has begun for the head of a new planning infrastructure unit, tasked with the healthy growth and development of services and infrastructure around major land releases for housing.

The new head of the Housing Infrastructure Planning and Development Unit will report to the Chief Executive of the Department for Trade and Investment, sitting alongside the Department’s Planning and Land Use Services Division. The unit will play a critical role in helping to build the communities future South Australians will call home.

The unit’s focus is on providing a holistic development pathway, working across government agencies, councils and utilities to ensure both trunk infrastructure, as well as health and education infrastructure meets the needs of a thriving community.

Called for by the Urban Development Institute of Australia and industry more broadly, the unit has been created to help get housing to market more quickly and with the right infrastructure and services in place to support residents.

It will also ensure the longevity of newly built communities, as the Malinauskas Labor Government seeks to address current housing challenges and streamline development and decision-making.

The recruitment process has begun following the Malinauskas Labor Government’s announcement it will be fast tracking what will be the single largest release of residential land in the state’s history – set to deliver at least 23,700 more homes.

The government has already started, with the rezoning of 235 hectares of land at
Hackham – creating the capacity for at least 2,000 new homes.

In addition, Dry Creek (10,000 homes), Concordia (10,000 homes), and Sellicks Beach (1700 homes) have been identified for re-zoning for residential use and the unit will be vital to ensuring these communities are master planned.