Community consultation is underway on plans to redevelop the former University of South Australia (UniSA) Magill campus site in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs into a new neighbourhood incorporating housing and aged care facilities.
The state government acquired the Magill campus in late 2023 as part of the merger of the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia to form Adelaide University. The site is now being transitioned from university use under Renewal SA, the state government’s development agency.
If approved, the project would proceed in two stages. The first stage focuses on a smaller three-hectare parcel east of St Bernards Road, while the second stage involves the main 11-hectare campus site to the west.
Key features of the eastern parcel would include about 100 market dwellings (at least 20 percent affordable housing), aged care and retirement living facilities, and a minimum of 17 percent open green space across the three-hectare site. This stage of works is expected to begin in 2027.
The western parcel would retain more than 60 percent of the site for open space, sport and community use, while protecting the Third Creek biodiversity corridor, significant trees and native vegetation. Existing sport and community facilities will be retained and upgraded, with aged care and retirement living primarily located on the footprint of existing university buildings. This stage is not expected to commence until 2033–34 due to an existing lease with Adelaide University.
Member for Hartley Jenn Roberts said that, as a Magill resident herself, she knows how important the site is to people across the community.
“It’s vital that the voices of residents in Hartley and Morialta help shape the future of this site. Key elements such as aged care, retirement living, open space and a linear park that protects and enhances the environment are priorities not just for me, but for the broader community,” Roberts said.
“This development represents a chance to create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable space that reflects the needs and aspirations of our community, both now and into the future.”
Consultation is open on the draft structure plan until 22 June. This follows an initial round of consultation held between November 2024 and February 2025, which informed the current proposal.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
