Infill project welcomed as potential future standard: UDIA
A new housing plan for South Australia’s Marden area has seen the state government’s assistance with the project welcomed by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (SA), who say that this type of infill is the way forward for new homes.
The proposed redevelopment of the 2.1 hectare site along River Street in Marden provides a framework for urban infill development that UDIA (SA) executive director, Terry Walsh, is commending.
“The UDIA has been urging the State Government to release inner suburban land like the River Street site at Marden to provide necessary new near-city housing that appeals to homebuyers,” said Walsh.
“This land redevelopment at Marden could eventually become a shining example of how governments and the private sector can work together to transform tired inner suburban areas into modern, higher density townhouse and apartment developments to meet homebuyer demand.”
Marden will include 158 new homes, masterplanned and developed by South Australian developer and construction company, Qattro. Of these homes, 66 will be sold as affordable homes through the government’s Affordable Homes Program, funded through the Housing Affordability Fund.
The Affordable Homes Program provides opportunities to those who don’t own property, planning to live in their home in South Australia and whose income is within certain limits – less than $75,000 for singles, or $95,000 for couples. The limits change for those with children. Asset amounts are also required to be under a certain level.
Marden is 10 minutes from Adelaide (just under six kilometres).
“The announcement of plans for the Marden site is particularly good news for low and middle income earners who have been given a rare opportunity to buy a new home within 5km of the Adelaide city centre,” said Walsh.
To proceed with the project, Qattro is yet to gain necessary council development approvals. Provided this all goes to plan, construction is expected to begin later in 2014.
This is substantial for a suburb which, at 2011 Census time, had a population of 2,342.
