Seven-storey tower to rise on King William Road
The state government is rezoning prime land along an upmarket strip to allow for seven-storey housing.
Planning Minister Nick Champion has approved new planning rules for the inner-city dining and residential strip of King William Road in Unley that will allow a seven-storey building.
He today announced the King William Road North Code Amendment meant land on the corner of King William Road and Mary Street would be rezoned to allow for about 170 apartments and 16 townhouses.
Previous plans for a 10-storey building on the site have been reduced for the 1.4 hectares of land after community opposition.
Champion said heights of seven storeys with a 30-degree building envelope stepping development down towards neighbouring homes on the eastern boundary would be capped. Any higher limits would be considered as restricted development.
Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson received a phone call yesterday about the plan “to say an announcement was going to be made and I was going to receive a letter”.
The council had fought the original plan that Hewitson claimed would have allowed the buildings to be “wall-to-wall on the property and does not fit with the City of Unley plan”.
Hewitson was happy with the new concept involving the 30-degree angle on developing the site as you “get the winter sun and it’s not overbearing”.
He added that Unley Council was voting on its own growth plan at its council meeting on Monday night that it had been working on for the past two years, saying it sought to “maintain the character of Unley and tree canopy” while also allowing for growth.
An earlier concept design for the King William Road site showed retail activation zones, pedestrian-focused areas and landscaping.
“King William Road is one of Adelaide’s great high streets and this rezoning means more South Australians will have the chance to live right on its doorstep,” Champion said.
“The consultation process has delivered a sensible outcome on building heights and stronger protections for neighbouring homes.
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“And the result is more opportunities for young South Australians who grew up in the inner south to buy a home close to where they grew up, or for downsizers to move to a new spot in their community, while taking advantage of the tax benefits that apply.
“This will deliver more homes in the inner south, while protecting the charm and character that makes King William Road so special.”
He said the decision followed public consultation on the code amendment “which led to a balanced position on building heights and better protections for neighbours”.
The site currently is home to the City of Unley Works Depot, commercial premises and two detached dwellings.
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