Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Environment and Food Production Areas) Amendment Bill - Second Reading
Thursday 3 April 2025
S.E. ANDREWS (Gibson) (12:00): I rise today to express my support for the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Environment and Food Production Areas) Amendment Bill. This bill represents a much needed step forward in tackling South Australia's housing challenges while maintaining a balanced approach that respects our environment, our communities and our agricultural sector.
As South Australians, we take pride in our state's liveability. We value the quality of life that comes with well-planned, well-serviced communities, access to green spaces and the ability to live, work and raise families in areas that meet our needs. However, as our population grows and more older people are staying in their homes for longer and families are living across multiple households, the demand for housing continues to increase. If we are to maintain this standard of living while accommodating new residents, we must be proactive in planning for our future.
For too long the focus has been on urban infill as a primary means of meeting housing demand. While infill does have a role to play, it is not a silver bullet. We have seen firsthand the negative consequences of over relying on this strategy, particularly in suburban areas such as Sturt, Oaklands Park and Dover Gardens. We need a new approach, one that ensures we build homes in a way that enhances rather than degrades our communities. This is exactly what this amendment bill seeks to achieve.
The idea behind urban infill is straightforward. Rather than expanding housing developments into new areas, we increase housing density within existing suburbs. This means replacing single family homes with townhouses and apartment complexes, subdividing larger properties and allowing for multistorey developments in previously low-density areas. In theory, this approach makes efficient use of existing infrastructure and reduces urban sprawl. However, in practice, the rapid increase in urban infill has created serious challenges, particularly in suburbs that were never designed to accommodate such density.
Within the City of Marion we can see clear examples of these challenges. Once known for its balance between residential living, green spaces and accessibility, it is now facing significant pressure from increasing housing density. Traffic congestion has worsened as more cars compete for limited road space, particularly in areas where roads were never built to handle such a high volume of vehicles. Parking has become a nightmare for residents, with many streets now lined with cars from households that suddenly have three or four dwellings on a block that once contained just one.
Community members have voiced concerns about the loss of local character. Neighbourhoods that once had tree-lined streets and open yards are now filled with tightly packed developments, reducing green space and increasing the urban heat island effect. This is particularly concerning given South Australia's hot summers, where greenery plays a vital role in keeping our suburbs liveable. The Greening Marion initiative highlights the importance of maintaining tree cover and green areas for environmental and community wellbeing, yet with increased urban infill, which they have allowed, these spaces are disappearing at an alarming rate.
Additionally, the increased need for housing puts a strain on our infrastructure. Waste management, stormwater drainage and community facilities all experience added pressure and many other areas across metropolitan Adelaide are facing similar challenges. The reality is that urban infill, when pushed too far, can create more problems than it solves. It can degrade quality of life, erode community character and place unsustainable pressure on existing and ageing infrastructure.
This is why the Malinauskas government's amendment bill is so critical. Rather than continuing to force high-density housing into areas that are already struggling, this bill allows for a more balanced approach. It recognises that urban infill alone is not enough and that South Australia must expand housing into new well-planned areas to meet demand. By designating specific areas for new housing development, we ensure that growth occurs in a way that is properly planned and supported by infrastructure. Roads, public transport, schools and healthcare facilities can be built alongside new housing developments rather than being retrofitted into areas already under strain.
This approach allows us to maintain the character of existing suburbs while ensuring those moving into new developments have access to the services they need. Furthermore, expanding housing into new areas allows us to incorporate sustainability from the outset. Rather than squeezing high-density developments into existing suburbs with limited green space, we can design new communities with parks, tree-lined streets and environmentally friendly infrastructure.
Sustainable building practices, water sensitive urban design and renewable energy initiatives can be integrated into these new developments, helping South Australia to meet its climate goals while providing high-quality housing. Economic benefits also flow from this approach. The construction of new housing developments creates jobs across multiple sectors, from construction and infrastructure to retail and local services. A well-planned expansion of housing supports economic growth while ensuring affordability by increasing housing supply in a way that is sustainable over the long term.
One of the concerns raised about expanding housing into new areas is the potential impact on agricultural land. South Australians are rightly proud of our state's agricultural industry and we must ensure that food production remains a priority. However, it is important to separate perception from reality. This amendment bill makes careful adjustments to the environment and food protection areas to unlock land for housing, but it does so in a highly measured way. The changes proposed will affect less than 1 per cent of the Greater Adelaide region's agricultural land.
This means that we can provide the housing South Australians need without significantly compromising food production. Moreover, not all land within the environment and food production areas is actively used for food production. Some areas are underutilised or better suited for development due to their proximity to existing infrastructure and services. By making these targeted changes, we can strike a balance, ensuring that our most fertile and productive agricultural land remains protected while allowing for housing growth where it makes sense.
In conclusion, the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Environment and Food Production Areas) Amendment Bill is a sensible, forward-thinking solution to South Australia's housing challenges. It acknowledges the limitations of urban infill and the growing pressures on existing suburbs, while providing a practical alternative that ensures housing growth is managed responsibly.
This bill is not about reckless expansion; it is about smart planning, and it is about ensuring that new housing developments are properly serviced with infrastructure, that community character is preserved, and that sustainability remains at the heart of our decision-making. By supporting this bill, we are making a choice about the kind of future we want for South Australia, a future where housing is affordable and accessible, a future where growth is planned and sustainable, a future where our communities can continue to thrive. I commend the bill to the house.
