A $50 million expansion of the Mitolo potato and onion processing plant at Virginia is one step closer to reality, after Playford Council endorsed a new Development Plan Amendment (DPA) for the area.
Elected members voted to send the Value Adding (Virginia) DPA to planning minister Stephan Knoll for review and final endorsement at a Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) meeting last Tuesday.
The DPA will rezone land around Angle Vale and Johns Roads, paving the way for a major expansion of the Mitolo vegetables processing facility and other horticulture industry expansion nearby.
Elected members also received the results of a public consultation period which showed support from State Government agencies and Adelaide Plains Council for the DPA.
Only a response from the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI), which suggested the council delay the DPA until after the implementation of the State Government’s new Planning and Design Code.
Under the code, the land considered in the DPA would become zoned as Rural Horticultural.
DPTI’s submission, authored by planning reform team leader Sally Jenkin, said this zone may allow for the same planning conditions as council is seeking with the DPA.
“This zone has a significant focus on providing for value adding and anticipates development for industry, small-scale ground mounted solar power facilities, shop and transport distribution,” she said.
“The department considers that this zoning will provide the outcomes that council is seeking through the DPA.
“As such, council is encouraged to review the Rural Horticultural Zone and advise whilst finalising the DPA whether the Rural Horticultural Zone provides an appropriate framework for this site.
Council may also want to consider whether progressing the DPA is necessary in the short term.”
Only one private response was received, which was from a neighbouring property owner who wanted to one day see his land zoned in the same way as the Mitolo farm.
The report tabled at the SPC meeting said Mitolo’s development would boost the local economy.
“The Mitolo Group’s proposal to undertake a major redevelopment of their potato and onion plant at the corner of Johns Road and Angle Vale Road in Virginia is expected to cost in the order of $50 million,” the report read.
“It will assist the horticultural industry overall by encouraging increased production and employment opportunities for the local and regional population.”