1,666 visits
to Your Say Onkaparinga page during the engagement period
What we heard
Community Engagement Highlights
Community engagement was open between 12 January to 8 February 2026.
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170 downloads
of the draft Affordable Housing Strategy
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140 survey responses
Community Feedback
The purpose of the engagement was to ensure that the that the Affordable Housing Strategy is inclusive, transparent, and aligned with the needs and aspirations of our community, within council’s roles and resourcing capacity.
There were 140 survey responses on Your Say and 14 submissions were provided via email or uploaded to Your Say.
- 54.3% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the housing strategy is easy to understand, 18.6% disagreed or strongly disagreed that it is easy to understand.
- 47.7% strongly agreed or agreed that the strategy clearly outlines council’s role in affordable housing, 18.98% disagreed or strongly disagreed that it clearly outlines council’s role.
- 40.7% rated the strategy as good or very good, 32.1% rated the strategy as poor or very poor, 27.1% rated the strategy as average.
A summary of themes emerging from the commentary of both those supportive and non-supportive are as follows:
- Broad support for the Strategy’s intent, with respondents viewing it as a strong foundation for addressing housing affordability.
- Infrastructure capacity was a key concern, particularly transport, traffic, utilities and community services keeping pace with housing growth.
- Strong emphasis on design quality and liveability, including sustainability, landscaping and housing.
- Mixed views on increased density, with general acceptance of the need for housing diversity but concerns about small allotments, congestion, loss of green space and short term rentals.
- Confusion about “affordable housing”, with many questioning whether “affordable housing” is genuinely accessible for families, single parents and seniors.
- Lived experience feedback highlighted rental stress and housing insecurity, reinforcing the urgency of the issue.
- Expectation for stronger council leadership, with calls for greater transparency, a more proactive role, stronger partnerships across government, and practical more immediate actions and measurable targets.
Project updates
Background
Access to safe, secure, and affordable housing is a growing challenge across the Onkaparinga region. Rising house prices, increasing rental costs, and limited housing supply are making it harder for people to find a home that meets their needs.
We sought your feedback on Onkaparinga’s Affordable Housing Strategy, to make sure we are on track with this long-term plan to support housing options that are diverse, sustainable, and accessible for everyone. It will help guide council's role in advocating for, planning, and influencing housing outcomes in the region.
Why your voice mattered
We know that housing affordability impacts people in different ways. Whether you're a homeowner, renter, investor, business owner, or community member, your experiences and insights are important to understand.
This was your opportunity to share your thoughts on the Affordable Housing Strategy.
What happens next?
Your feedback will be provided to Council for consideration, helping to guide whether any changes need to be made to the strategy. We will keep the community informed throughout the process and provide updates on how feedback has influenced the strategy.
