South Australia’s Parliament has recently passed legislation removing Environment and Food Protection Area (EFPA) restrictions, paving the way for the development of approximately 61,500 new homes in greenfield areas. This significant move aims to accommodate long-term population growth, with projections indicating a need for 315,000 new homes over the next 30 years.
Key developments include 43,300 homes near Two Wells and Roseworthy, 10,400 in Murray Bridge, and 7,000 around Victor Harbor, Goolwa, and Middleton. The government anticipates this initiative will boost the economy by an estimated $1 billion annually and create over 6,000 jobs.
While some local opposition exists, particularly concerning the loss of prime agricultural land and infrastructure readiness, Housing Minister Nick Champion asserts that the new law eliminates barriers to growth. Advocates believe it will improve housing affordability, which has worsened since EFPAs were introduced in 2017.
The land will be released gradually to ensure infrastructure readiness, and the government plans to update urban-rural policies to balance agricultural needs and residential expansion