Melbourne Investors Eye St Clair Retail Village Upgrade

A redevelopment proposal for St Clair Village shopping centre in South Australia aims to transform the area with new housing, retail outlets, childcare facilities and hospitality venues.

Melbourne-based property group ISPT initiated a code amendment to rezone the centre, its carpark and adjacent vacant land to permit higher buildings and create what they describe as a new “gateway” to the St Clair development.

The proposed rezoning would change the affected area at Cheltenham, 9km north west of the Adelaide CBD, from residential to Suburban Activity Centre Zone, enabling a mix of retail, mixed-use, commercial, childcare and accommodation developments.

Planning Minister Nick Champion endorsed the investigation phase, which he said had the “potential to add more housing and shops to a strategic location immediately next to the Railway Station and along a major urban corridor”.

“Developments along key transport routes are an opportunity to achieve an increase in density so there can be more housing choice and options for the community,” Champion said.

The maximum building heights were yet to be determined but ISPT spokesperson Tom Water confirmed investigations were under way.

“We are completing our reports to substantiate any increase in heights,” Water said.

Nearby buildings range from four to five storeys, predominantly medium-density homes.

Charles Sturt Council has expressed overall support for the rezoning and high-level concepts of the development, which may also involve partial closure of nearby Stewards Lane.

The St Clair Village Shopping Centre is a one to two-level suburban activity centre housing a supermarket, pharmacy, medical centre, dentist and various food retailers. The centre was last redeveloped in 2013.

The ISPT proposal joins several major developments already transforming the St Clair area.

Perth-based developer Peet and local affordable housing provider Junction are delivering a $70-million project on a 4.1ha site between Woodville railway station and the St Clair Recreation Centre.

The masterplanned development will comprise up to 185 homes, with at least 45 per cent designated as affordable housing—three times the typical 15 per cent requirement for major developments. About 30 per cent of the site will also be reserved for open space.

▲ A rendering of a 20-unit block planned for the Woodville Road development.

The Peet-Junction project includes Torrens-titled terrace housing up to three storeys and three four-storey apartment buildings near the railway station and Woodville Road.

Junction chief executive Maria Palumbo said the “unique nature of this project means we can provide multiple avenues to home ownership for those who might otherwise struggle—and in a location that is surrounded by key, quality amenities including public transport and recreation facilities”.

Developer Peet is progressing with a four-storey apartment block in the area, comprising 20 one and two-bedroom apartments, each with dedicated parking and outdoor space.

These apartments, priced from $407,000, are targeted at first-home buyers and downsizers seeking affordable options in a prime location.

Peet chief executive Brendan Gore said well-located suburbs in Adelaide continued to grow in popularity and that “high-density housing can be delivered at high quality, with plenty of open space and good transport links”.

Broader development activity in the St Clair area includes a $26-million state-funded recreation precinct featuring one of the city’s largest playgrounds, a skate park, six community tennis courts and a reconfigured soccer playing surface.

The City of Charles Sturt is contributing $15 million towards a new six-court stadium recreation centre that will include indoor roller skating, function spaces, a cafe, gymnasium and heritage components.

ISPT will now undertake community consultation and masterplanning for the St Clair Village project before the Minister for Planning makes a final determination on the rezoning application.

ISPT has been contacted for further comment.