Gifford Hill: New satellite city planned for South Australia

Developers have unveiled an ambitious plan to build a new  satellite city that will accommodate over 44,000 people by 2041.

In a joint venture with Grange Development, Costa Property Group acquired 1,860 hectares of land over 18 months in Gifford Hill, near Murray Bridge, southeast of Adelaide.

The $7.5 billion master plan for the satellite city includes 17,100 homes, a town centre, six neighbourhood activity centres, seven schools, 285 hectares of conservation space, and 119 hectares of open green space.

Described as the largest residential project in South Australia since the 1950s, the development will effectively create a second major city for the state.

The entire development is valued at approximately $7.5 billion and the first plots of housing are set to be released next year.

At the heart of the development would be town centre, adjoining the Murray Bridge racecourse, with shops, offices and a ‘state-of-the-art sports and entertainment precinct’, including a polo ground. 

Murray Bridge Mayor Wayne Thorley said the council was excited about the project’s potential to grow into a rural city.

‘We are actively preparing for the growth of our rural city and supporting our communities to have access to the services, opportunities and benefits that a growing community brings,’ Mr Thorley said.

Developers have unveiled an ambitious plan to build a new satellite city near Adelaide that will accommodate over 44,000 people by 2041

The $7.5billion plan includes a town centre (pictured, artist's impression), six 'neighbourhood activity centres', seven schools, 404hectares of conservation and open green space

The $7.5billion plan includes a town centre (pictured, artist’s impression), six ‘neighbourhood activity centres’, seven schools, 404hectares of conservation and open green space

‘Murray Bridge is a place where people can live well and thrive in an environment where jobs, education, affordable housing and a great, river lifestyle are accessible to all.’

Costa Property Group, in a joint venture with Grange Development, acquired 1,860 hectares of land over 18 months (pictured, aerial view of the Gifford Hill precinct near Murray Bridge)

Costa Property Group, in a joint venture with Grange Development, acquired 1,860 hectares of land over 18 months (pictured, aerial view of the Gifford Hill precinct near Murray Bridge) 

Mayor Thorley added the development will also boost job opportunities for the growing community. 

The development will create more than 7,200 onsite jobs during its construction and an additional 5,200 in offsite businesses. 

Grange Development founder James Dibble described the project as the ‘most significant’ residential development in South Australia and Adelaide since the 1950s. 

He explained the development will include detached homes, apartments and townhouses.

‘We are looking forward to delivering an exceptional residential community that sets new standards for sustainable living, connectivity and amenity, while creating a second major city for the state,’ Mr Dibble said. 

Rural City of Murray Bridge CEO Heather Barclay said the development would change the area forever.

‘Development of this nature and scale transform places and communities,’ Ms Barclay said. 

‘Our goal is to ensure well planned and connected communities, so Murray Bridge continues to thrive and be a place where people choose to live, work and play.’

Pictured, Gifford Hill masterplan concept design

Pictured, Gifford Hill masterplan concept design

The Gifford Hill development will see 17,100 houses built for an estimated 44,000 residents (pictured, artist's impression of Gifford Hill High Street)

The Gifford Hill development will see 17,100 houses built for an estimated 44,000 residents (pictured, artist’s impression of Gifford Hill High Street) 

Costa Property Group and Grange Development are also hopeful the area could be home to Adelaide’s second airport. 

Gifford Hill borders Murray Bridge and is about a one-hour drive from Adelaide. 

Median house prices in the Murray Bridge region sit at $419,000 – a whopping 45 per cent lower than Adelaide’s average at $760,000. 

The region recorded a capital growth of 18.71 per cent within the last 12 months and a population growth of almost 19 per cent in the past five years. 

KEY FACTS ABOUT AUSTRALIA’S ‘NEW CITY’ 

  • 17,100 new homes
  • Seven new schools
  • Six neighbourhood centres with shops
  • 404 hectares of green space, two thirds of it bushland

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk