January 2026
The Minister for Planning has adopted the Sellicks Beach Growth Area Joint Amendment.
The Amendment changes both the Planning and Design Code and the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan. The Minister has also applied the Coordinated Development Overlay to defer urban development until the land is deemed suitable for the intended land use (that is subject to outcomes of air quality monitoring and securing infrastructure commitments).
Council at its meeting 14 October 2025 considered a report and approved a submission on the Amendment. Council also resolved to include two community submissions and associated deputation summaries.
Below is a table showing the issues and concerns included in Council's submission on the Amendment and the response provided by DHUD.
Copies of the Determination Documents and the engagement report can be viewed via the PlanSA portal for more information about the consultation and how stakeholder feedback was considered in finalising the Joint Amendment.
| Key engagement issues and concerns included in Council's submission to DHUD | Department for Housing and Urban Development (DHUD) response | |
| Air quality and quarry | The most significant issue raised by the community related to concerns about air quality and health impacts associated with the nearby Sellicks Hill Quarry – concern was expressed about residential development proceeding without robust understanding of existing air quality evidence. | DHUD initiated an independent, long term air quality monitoring and assessment program (commenced in November 2024), overseen by a cross government working group including the EPA, SA Health and the Department for Energy and Mining. Development is deferred through the Coordinated Development Overlay, with residential zoning activation contingent on monitoring outcomes (concludes April 2026) demonstrating suitability for housing. |
| Environmental impacts | Submissions raised concern to potential impacts on native vegetation, habitat connectivity, local watercourses and the Aldinga Washpool. Some submissions opposed urban development entirely, advocating for conservation outcomes in lieu of housing. | Ecological investigations have informed the spatial application of land uses. Environmental protections have been embedded through the retention and application of Native Vegetation Overlay and Regulated Tree Overlay, identification of greenways, water courses and buffers in concept plans, in addition to the application of the Urban Tree Canopy Overlay across the site. |
| Housing diversity, affordability and density | Questions were raised about whether the proposal would deliver housing diversity and meaningful affordable housing outcomes, in addition to concerns for the delivery of up to 1700 dwellings. | DHUD has maintained 1700 dwellings to inform the investigations, and in response to continued growing housing demand in southern Adelaide and the limited opportunities for future expansion due to the boundaries of the Character Preservation District to help address affordability pressures. An Affordable Housing Overlay applies across the growth area which mandates a minimum 15 per cent affordable housing contribution. Housing diversity (medium density) and mixed use outcomes are encouraged around the emerging activity centre to support walkability and housing choice, with the wider residential density at Sellicks Beach generally expected to be of a lower density. This reflects the unique characteristics of the site, including its topography, surrounding land uses, and the need to protect scenic and character areas. |
| Activity centre and open space | Clarification was sought regarding the scale and location of a future activity centre, and a significant community feedback requesting for locating public open space adjacent a private business. | To clarify the role and scale of the activity centre, the Concept Plan nominates ‘neighbourhood activity centre’ which the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan identifies as typically providing between 1,500 and 10,000 m2 floor space – this enables a centre to respond to demand. The Concept Plan maintains the 35 metre Noise Buffer to Berg Herring, rather than nominating as open space – this does not preclude the provision of open space in this location. Ultimately, the provision of open space or other interface treatment(s) will be determined through the land division assessment in consultation with the relevant landowner/developer. This assessment will consider relevant council strategies and planning policies to ensure that parks, recreation areas, and green spaces are well-placed, accessible, and meet the needs of all future (and existing) residents. |
| Infrastructure capacity and delivery | Concerns were raised regarding the availability, timing and funding of essential infrastructure (roads, wastewater, water, open space and community facilities), and the risk of development occurring prior to infrastructure commitments being secured. Additional concern was raised by landowners affected by the mass transit corridor questioning the proposed location and resultant loss of developable land. | The Joint Amendment requires the preparation of an Infrastructure Scheme before development can proceed. An Infrastructure Coordination Overlay has been applied to ensure development sequencing aligns with the provision of essential infrastructure, providing certainty around timing and responsibility. The Infrastructure Coordination Overlay includes a requirement for specific development types to be referred to the Scheme Coordinator to consider and ensure it is consistent with the scheme and to enact the scheme requirements. Regarding the mass transit corridor, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) is currently undertaking investigations to explore opportunities for the future extension of public transport services to Sellicks Beach – this work will be subject to a separate consultation and ministerial approval process. |
| Planning and governance | Industry and Council sought clarity around staging and governance arrangements on requirements and timing of when deferred land would transition to developable urban land. | The application of the Master Planned Neighbourhood Zone, supported by concept plans, overlays and a complying change pathway in the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan, provides the framework for orderly staging. The conditions for a complying code amendment are clearly defined, providing transparency and certainty for government, industry and the community. |
| Overall assessment | DHUD has adopted a cautious, evidence led and risk managed approach to the Sellicks Beach Growth Area. The Joint Amendment enables long term housing supply while deferring development until air quality, infrastructure and environmental conditions are adequately addressed. This approach balances strategic growth objectives with community, environmental and health considerations. |
DHUD has adopted a cautious, evidence led and risk managed approach to the Sellicks Beach Growth Area. The Joint Amendment enables long term housing supply while deferring development until air quality, infrastructure and environmental conditions are adequately addressed. This approach balances strategic growth objectives with community, environmental and health considerations.
Project details
The Government of South Australia is proposing to rezone approximately 134 hectares of land in Sellicks Beach to enable a new master-planned community that will deliver up to 1700 new homes, an activity centre as well as open space for the Sellicks Beach community.
This amendment is part of a broader effort to deliver more housing for South Australians, and community members and stakeholders are invited to learn more about it and provide feedback on the proposal.
Consultation is now open on the draft Sellicks Beach Growth Area Joint Amendment and will close 16 October 2025.
Background
Residential land supply in southern Adelaide is currently constrained, with nearly all areas available for growth either under active development or in the process of being released to market.
The Sellicks Beach Growth Area Joint Amendment is part of the South Australian Government’s Housing Roadmap delivering more residential land allotments to market and providing more affordable homes for South Australians.
The Greater Adelaide Regional Plan, adopted in March 2025, identifies Sellicks Beach as an area for strategic growth.
The Joint Amendment is seeking to address an immediate need for further land supply to address future population growth and meet the demand for new housing in the Outer South region of Greater Adelaide.
More information
To view the draft Joint Amendment and supporting materials (including information on air quality monitoring and interim findings and recommendations), and to have your say on the proposal, visit: yoursay.sa.gov.au/sellicks-beach-growth.
Hard copies of the draft Joint Amendment are also available to view during standard opening hours at:
- Department for Housing and Urban Development office:
- Level 9, 83 Pirie Street, Adelaide, 9am to 5pm
- City of Onkaparinga Council offices:
o
Aldinga Office and Library 11 Central Way,
Aldinga Beach 5173 Monday to Friday: 9:30am to 1pm
o
Aldinga Community Centre 7 Stewart Ave, Aldinga
Beach 5173 Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4pm
o
Willunga Office St Peters Terrace, Willunga 5172
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm
o Noarlunga
Office Ramsay Place Noarlunga Centre 5168 Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm.
Community information sessions
To support the consultation process, a key stakeholder session and two community information sessions will be held:
- Online community information session – Thursday 18 September 2025, 10 am to 11 am
- In-person community drop-in session – Thursday 18 September 2025, 5 pm to 7 pm at Sellicks Beach Community Hall, William Eatts Reserve, Sellicks Beach
If you would like to attend a session either in person or online, head to the PlanSA Eventbrite to register your spot.
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Roles & responsibilities
Department for Housing and Urban Development (DHUD)
DHUD’s primary role is to prepare the draft Sellicks Beach Growth Area Joint Amendment, including the coordination of all investigations to inform the proposal. DHUD is also responsible for undertaking the community and stakeholder public consultation and engagement reporting in line with the requirements of the Community Engagement Charter and the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016.
Council is helping to create awareness and share information with its community about the draft Sellicks Beach Growth Area Joint Amendment to encourage the community to learn more about it and have its say.
Contact
| Name | Department for Housing and Urban Development |
|---|---|
| Website | yoursay.sa.gov.au/sellicks-beach-growth |
