The Malinauskas Labor Government has commenced the rezoning process for a major mixed-use redevelopment of the Westfield West Lakes shopping centre, unlocking up to 2,000 new homes in one of Adelaide’s best-serviced locations.
The proposal would transform underutilised land holdings, including at-grade car parking into medium and high-density apartments, while the existing shopping centre continues to trade and expand.
The West Lakes Strategic Infill Code Amendment begins the formal rezoning process to transform the site, with new building heights of around 20-storeys to be investigated.
It is a textbook example of building up in the right location. The site sits alongside the West Lakes Bus Interchange, with high-frequency services to the Adelaide CBD and connections to the rail network and is linked to the metropolitan cycling network and Coast Park.
The centre already comprises 71,439 square metres of floor area serviced by 3,909 car parks, with existing road access from Brebner Drive and Turner Drive able to support future development.
The site is identified in the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan as part of the West Lakes and Seaton State Significant Infill Area, a priority location for high-density housing mixed with well-located services, employment and entertainment.
West Lakes is also the gateway to the LeFevre Peninsula, where the AUKUS program will generate thousands of jobs over coming decades.
Scentre Group is pursuing similar proposals for mixed-use precincts on its shopping centre landholdings around the country, including at Woden and Belconnen in the ACT and Warringah and Eastgardens in Sydney.
The Code Amendment will retain the site within the existing Urban Activity Centre Zone and investigate increases to maximum building heights, alongside the potential introduction of a new subzone to allow standalone residential development in defined parts of the site.
Investigations will now commence, including community and stakeholder engagement, ahead of formal public consultation on a draft Code Amendment.
This is what sensible, strategic development in exactly the right place looks like.
We have been clear that Adelaide must grow up in the right locations as well as out in the right locations.
That means height in locations already serviced by public transport, parking and infrastructure, and more space on suburban streets for larger homes and less congestion.
Our Government laid the foundations for this kind of development in the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan. I commend the Scentre Group for having the ambitious vision to bring this to life.
With AUKUS ramping up on the LeFevre Peninsula, thousands of workers and their families will need somewhere to live. This proposal helps meet that demand.
The transformation of strategic, well-serviced infill sites like Westfield West Lakes will make a serious contribution to fixing the national housing crisis in South Australia.
Homes above the shops, on a site that already has the roads, the buses, the car parking, amenity and the community services to support them. This plan makes sense.
Once again our Government is embracing solutions to get more homes built for South Australians in the right locations.
We welcome the Government’s support for increased housing supply in places that are already well connected to existing infrastructure and services.
Our long-term vision is to create new housing while enhancing the public spaces, connectivity and amenities that make Westfield West Lakes such an important part of the Adelaide community.
Our western suburbs are the best place to live in South Australia, and West Lakes is well placed to play a role in delivering more homes for South Australians. This Code Amendment gives us an opportunity to plan carefully for the community’s future.
Our community understand the need for more housing, particularly young people, families and older residents who want to remain in the area. But we should be building communities, not just housing.
As the Member for Lee, I’ll be advocating to ensure any future development is thoughtfully designed and supported by investment in roads, public transport, open space and community facilities people need.
I encourage residents to participate when public consultation opens. Local knowledge matters and the community’s feedback should meaningfully inform the final proposal.
Master Builders SA strongly supports common-sense measures to boost housing supply.
Unlocking the potential of the perfectly located West Lakes Shopping Centre will benefit South Australian homebuyers, tradies and retailers.
What we especially like about this announcement is it has an eye firmly on the future and the myriad of job opportunities at the nearby defence precinct.
This is a coordinated, strategic approach with a powerful social and economic narrative.
