Billions of dollars of projects in the pipeline for CBD

Applications for 65 potential projects for the CBD to the estimated value of about $3 billion have been received and 32 new projects totalling $1 billion have been approved since planning reforms introduced in March 2012.

Planning Minister John Rau said the changes to the planning system had unlocked the development potential for private investors in the city.

“These reforms were introduced to break down some of the barriers for development in our city,” Mr Rau said.

“The City of Adelaide is open for business and I want to hear from businesses if there are any roadblocks slowing them down.

“Along with increased application and approvals, assessment timeframes have also been reduced on average by 58%.

“We need to work with private investors and support them to invest. These projects have the potential to create thousands of new jobs.

“The rejuvenation of the iconic old Westpac Building at 2 King William Street, so close to the new Adelaide Oval, is a great example of the positive way Government can work with industry to help facilitate investment.

Mr Rau said the Government has invested over $9 billion in capital projects supporting local industries, which has driven private investors to begin their own projects.

“More than 30 projects are approved and ready to begin and currently we have nine projects under construction with an estimated value of $182 million,” he said.

“These figures show a renewed interest from the development industry to invest within inner metropolitan Adelaide since the government introduced planning reforms.”

Mr Rau also launched a new interactive Adelaide Investment website today to keep the public and development industry informed about investments in the City of Adelaide.

“The new website provides an online avenue to keep the public and development industry informed about projects that have been approved and are under construction in the city,” he said.

“It also details small licensed venue approvals since the introduction of the new licence category within the City and Planning and Development Fund investments.

Mr Rau said the new Adelaide Investment website provides an avenue to communicate a range of city investments.

The website – www.dpti.sa.gov.au/planning/adelaide_investment – includes an interactive city map which details approved, under construction and completed projects.

The Development Assessment Commission has approved four significant city projects within the past month:

• 203 North Terrace, Adelaide provides for the revitalisation of a State Heritage building in this prominent location along North Terrace, opposite the art gallery, museum and university. The proponent (Catcon) and design team (GHD Woodhead) have worked hard at retaining the important heritage fabric of the building, while also ensuring compliance with modern building codes and safety standards. The proposal brings a once proud building back into economic life after a decade of underuse, and offers a mix of retail, office and high-end residential apartments.

• 138 South Terrace, Adelaide is the first development on South Terrace to be approved under the new city planning policy and provides ground floor office with high end residential above. The proposal designed by JPE Design Studio draws inspiration from the Adelaide Parklands and brings more vibrancy and activity to this important location.

• 200 East Terrace, Adelaide provides for the redevelopment of a ‘Catalyst Site’ on the eastern fringe of the City, comprising a carefully designed residential apartment complex. Catalyst Site provisions enable a qualitative assessment that considers development within its contextual setting, while realising opportunities to positively transform a locality and increase the residential population of the city. The proposal, designed for Global Intertrade by Architects Ink, has gone through a number of design iterations aimed at improving the overall design quality of the building, while also carefully managing its interface with neighbouring low rise development.

• 2 Stephens Place, Adelaide – Queen Adelaide Club is a ladies residential club, which has been in existence at its Stephens Place home since 1909. The design team, Brown Falconer, have designed a high-rise glazed tower above the existing two storey local heritage listed Queen Adelaide Club building. While some demolition works are proposed, the cultural heritage of the Club and its presence in this location was of particular importance. The development proposes high-end retail, new club facilities and apartments. The apartments are proposed under the Retirement Villages Act 1987, allowing the club to maintain ownership, and provide enhanced opportunities for resident members to access the Club’s numerous support services.

Each of the four projects went through the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure’s (DPTI) pre-lodgement and design review process, which is a collaborative approach where proponents work closely with State government professionals in planning and architecture as well as staff from Adelaide City Council.

Source: News Release Deputy Premier John Rau, 14 July 2014