CIVIL works have begun on the first major housing development of the Roseworthy Township Expansion Project, which will see the area grow by around 800 homes.
Land Vision Group director Joe Oppedisano and Light Regional Council Mayor Bill O’Brien last week turned the first sod at the site of the $2.4 billion St Yves development, around two kilometres south of the town.
The development is the first to begin construction as part of a broader housing expansion between Hewett and Roseworthy which is slated to create up to 4400 homes and increase the area’s population to around 11,900 people.
Mr Oppedisano said homes would start being built inside the next six-to-nine months.
“It’s been a long time coming, some 14 years, to get the project finally up and underway,” he said.
“We’re certainly very well progressed in terms of discussions with our exciting town, civic and retail centre which will combine medical, health and wellness precincts.
“It’s quite an exciting day and quite an exciting time for the region as well.
“From a regional context point of view, Roseworthy will be on the map and it will definitely be a drawcard and a game changer right up through to the Barossa area.”
Mr Oppedinsano added construction on a proposed $30 million Trinity College campus in the development would begin in the next two-to-three years.
Mr O’Brien said council’s planning team had done an “outstanding job” to prepare for the housing boom.
“I can recall those early days in the Roseworthy Institute, talking to community meetings about this dream and vision,” he said.
“I think they (Land Vision) are putting something into this region which is certainly needed. It’ll complement the existing township and will be great benefit to the university (The University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy campus) nearby.”
Roseworthy’s expansion has been a point of contention in LRC’s chamber recently, with elected members voting in June to prepare a report on the expected timeframe of the project.
Last week, The Bunyip, revealed plans had been lodged for another 368-home development south of the town, to be headed by Hickinbotham Homes.
Mr O’Brien said the start of works was a show of confidence for Roseworthy’s expansion
“It’s a great stimulus for the whole region when you see this type of thing happening,” he said. “It gives people confidence,” he said.
“We’ve got to get our businesses going again after this COVID-19 pandemic crisis and these are the sorts of things that help us do it.
“Council are really behind this 100 per cent… there’s no discussion in the chamber that’s not positive.”