Costa Property Group and Grange Development have announced today the largest single development in South Australian history, with their proposed Gifford Hill precinct aiming to become home to more than 44,000 people.
The new city, which promises to house more people than Murray Bridge and Mount Gambier, will have more than 17,000 homes, six neighbourhood activity centres, a mixed-use high street, seven schools and more than 460ha of conservation/open space.
The Gifford Hill project will become South Australia’s largest residential growth area since the 1950s and will be slightly larger but lower in density than the 1,340 ha Walker Corp’s Riverlea in Buckland Park.
The Murray Bridge Racing Club will be at the centre of the new development, however the developers say that their plans will heavily incorporate vegetation to reduce urban heat and reduce carbon emissions.
The economic impact from the new precinct’s construction is estimated to be at $7.5 billion, with an additional $750 million per year generated from retail spending within the Murray Bridge region.
There’s even hope that the Gifford Hill precinct will eventually play host to the state’s second major airport.
The project is expected to launch to the market in 2025 and will be developed over a 30–40-year period.
Rural City of Murray Bridge Mayor Wayne Thorley says it’s an immensely exciting time for the region.
“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.”
CEO Heather Barclay says it has the opportunity to change the Murraylands completely.
“Development of this nature and scale transform places and communities. 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.”
