SA Plans 300-Home Rezoning Near Former Holden Factory

Commercial land opposite the former Holden factory in Adelaide’s north could become the site of 300 homes under the state’s rezoning plans.

The plan would unlock a vacant 12ha parcel at Elizabeth South, 28km from the CBD.

The site is south of John Rice Avenue, between Philip Highway and Commercial Road opposite the former Holden factory, which closed in 2017.

Most of the site is owned by the South Australian Government, and holds “long standing” employment zoning, but has never been developed for commercial or industrial purposes. 

The draft plan for the amendment contends that given that there is already a large supply of vacant employment land in the area, and that the subject land adjoins existing housing, it is appropriate to rezone as residential.

The proposal would also extend the Affordable Housing Overlay, which requires developments of more than 20 homes to provide 15 per cent affordable housing.

Government agency RenewalSA owns 9.1ha of the site, with the City of Playford responsible for the remaining 3ha. 

The Government said it could accommodate “a diverse range of housing and the potential for complementary recreational, community service and retail uses”.

The draft John Rice Avenue, Elizabeth South Residential Code Amendment now up for consultation would make way for medium-density housing in the future, it said.

▲ The 12ha site is surrounded by residential and employment zoning.

The site is within the City of Playford, on Kaurna Country, opposite the Lionsgate Business Park—the former Holden factory.

Subject to final design and investigation, the government said, about 300 homes could be built on the primary site with new public space in the western corner of the allotment. 

Should the proposal be approved, it is anticipated housing construction could begin in November, 2026.

SA Minister for Housing and Urban Development Nick Champion said the rezoning proposal was an opportunity to increase supply in the fast-growing northern suburbs. 

“The proposal aligns with the approach for strategic infill development, identified within the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan,” he said in a statement.

“We want to create a masterplanned community with new housing in an established area near existing jobs, services and transport.”

Developers have been turning to South Australia as its population grows at its fastest rate since the 1980s and the state takes “significant steps” to attract developers.