Greater Adelaide Regional Plan
Acknowledgement of country
In preparing the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan Discussion Paper, we acknowledge the Kaurna, Peramangk, Ngarrindjeri, and Ngadjuri peoples as the Traditional Owners of the Greater Adelaide region. We also acknowledge and extend our respect to Elders past, present and emerging, and other First Nations peoples across South Australia.
Our aim is to walk side by side with First Nations peoples across our state, in a manner which is respectful to their cultural and heritage beliefs and to their spiritual connections with Country.
Commission Chair's message
Adelaide is internationally recognised as one of the most liveable cities in the world. We attract people and businesses from interstate and overseas to our enviable lifestyle and competitive business conditions.
Since 2011, the Greater Adelaide region has welcomed 167,000 new residents. This is modest population growth compared to other Australian capital cities. Current projections show that by 2051 an additional 670,000 people could join us. We must plan to accommodate this growth.
Our population is also changing. Household composition is changing. What people need or want from their housing is changing. This means we need to offer more housing choices.
Decisions about where to accommodate more people are complex. How and where we accommodate future population growth, and jobs associated with that growth, is a key question in drafting the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan (the GARP).
A unique and exciting opportunity to shape the future of the Greater Adelaide region.
The Greater Adelaide Regional Plan will deliver a vision for the Greater Adelaide region to 2051 and beyond.
Where will housing and jobs go and how will people live as our population grows?
We want your ideas and feedback to help inform the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan.
The Discussion Paper is for all Greater Adelaide residents
Consulting our communities is central to developing the GARP. These views will help deliver a vibrant, inclusive and dynamic plan for our future. The Greater Adelaide Regional Plan Discussion Paper (the Discussion Paper) gives our communities and industries the information and tools to form ideas and to start the conversation.
The Discussion Paper will prompt debate and the exchange of ideas. Discussion will centre on the features and characteristics that make the Greater Adelaide region so special: our premium food and wine, our scenic landscapes and natural environment, our cultural and built heritage, our world class beaches and overall quality of life.
This Discussion Paper will also highlight the important role our planning system will play in tackling complex issues such as climate change, net zero aspirations, social equality, community resilience, housing choices, housing affordability and affordable living.
The land supply projections for residential land across metropolitan Adelaide indicate that there is 15 years supply currently available. This Discussion Paper looks beyond this. Working in collaboration with the new Housing Infrastructure Planning Development Unit, the Commission aims to ensure adequate supply through to 2050 and beyond.
Craig Holden
Chair, State Planning Commission
Greater Adelaide
Change is certain.
We need to plan for it.
Projections show Greater Adelaide's population could grow by up to 670,000 people over the next 30 years. That would be a 46% increase on today's population.1 We need to be ready.
Our housing needs are also changing. The average household size is decreasing. Single person households have increased 78% over the last 30 years. Housing demand now outstrips population growth.
If these trends continue, we will need an extra 300,000 homes over the next 30 years.
A Discussion Paper has been prepared to stimulate new thinking and informed debate about how the new Greater Adelaide Regional Plan (GARP) will sustainably provide for this future residential and employment growth and change.
This Discussion Paper will guide a collaborative process to develop the new plan. The Discussion Paper is divided into two core parts.
- How should Greater Adelaide Grow?
- Where should Greater Adelaide Grow?
Feedback on the Discussion Paper is open for a period of 12 weeks from 14 August to 6 November 2023, 5:00pm.
The role and function of the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan
The new GARP will play a significant role in identifying land for housing and employment, and identifying long-term infrastructure needs to support sustainable growth over the next 30 years. It will replace the current 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide.
The State Planning Commission (the Commission) is preparing the GARP in collaboration with local government, state agencies, industry and the community. Feedback received on the Discussion Paper will directly inform the development of the GARP.
The GARP will identify growth over a 15 to 30-year period by investigating and guiding:
Where houses and employment land will go
How housing and population will be serviced
Which areas need conservation and protection
What major infrastructure is needed and how it will be provided
The final GARP will be available in a digital format and include maps identifying long-term urban land and infrastructure needs to support sustainable growth. Designed to respond to changing data, it will be live, interactive and easy to update.
- 1 Based on 2021 Census data
