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Bianco site in Kilkenny targeted for hundreds of new Defence homes

HUNDREDS of defence homes could be built at the former Bianco site next to Kilkenny railway station, which has been vacant for more than a decade.



The owner of the site, Peter Gregg, has been given permission by Charles Sturt Council to fund an investigation into rezoning the former industrial land for residential and mixed-use development.

Mr Gregg told the council that he had been approached by Defence Housing Australia, which had targeted the site for its proximity to the city, RAAF base at Edinburgh and Techport.

“Defence Housing Australia … have said that it is the site that is number one in South Australia for them,” Mr Gregg said.

“People want to be as close to the city as possible these days so being at the base is no longer applicable.

”They would like to be (near) a railway line and the fact that it is near the Air Warfare Destroyers and the Frigates, it could also service that, so they are very keen on the location.”

Mr Greggs said he would now work with Defence Housing Australia and the council on his proposed planning amendment.

A Defence Housing Australia spokeswoman told Messenger Community News that it was interested in the Kilkenny area but that it had no plans in the pipeline.

“Defence Housing Australia’s interest in any potential housing development is dependent on the Australian Defence Force forecast housing requirements for Adelaide,” she said.

It’s been a long road for Mr Gregg, who has been trying to develop the site for more than a decade.

“It’s been quite a frustrating and difficult time but I think we are nearly there,” he said.

“Virtually 100 per cent of the residents would like something to happen on that site.”

Mr Gregg said he was “more than happy” to work with neighbouring manufacturer O-I Glass, which had opposed residential development on the site for years.

Ekistics Planning and Design managing director Richard Dwyer, on behalf of O-I Glass, said a high-density residential development on the site was “incompatible” with 24/7 glassmaking activities.

He said a residential development would put the Port Rd factory and its 360 jobs at risk as there would likely be an increase in the number of complaints to the EPA about its noise and smell.

He said there needed to be a signed agreement in advance that its conditions would not be tightened.

“O-I Glass should be protected in advance from any adverse impacts from … complaints from future residents,” Mr Dwyer said.

Onkaparinga Council considers legal costs of blocking Hickinbotham Group’s new estate at Seaford Meadows
Celeste Villani, [email protected], The Advertiser
October 22, 2018 4:08pm
Subscriber only


ONKAPARINGA Council is considering spending up to $300,000 to try to stop a $215 million housing estate in Seaford Meadows.

The council has voted to obtain “more detailed” legal advice about launching a judicial review in the Supreme Court against the Hickinbotham Group’s development at the 42ha site.

The review would look at whether the State Commission Assessment Panel made an error in approving the application, rather than the merits of the proposal.

If the appeal was successful, the panel could cancel or reassess the application, however, the developer could also lodge a new application.

Cr Bill Jamieson said the council should support residents who wanted the site to remain as open space.

“There are 28,000 people who signed a petition against the development,” Cr Jamieson said. “It is appropriate for us to go through this process and defend them.”


The Seaford Meadows site of the $215m housing development by Hickinbotham Group.

However, Cr Heidi Greaves said the panel’s decision was valid and “ticked all the boxes”.

“I know some residents have not been happy about the consultation and some elected members were unhappy … but understand it has followed procedure,” Cr Greaves said.

“We have residents crying out to us to watch our pennies, but then we simply spend money on legal advice.”

A report said it could cost the council between $15,000 and $25,000 for legal advice, and $75,000-$100,000 if a trial went ahead. If the council was unsuccessful in its appeal, it might have to pay the panel and Hickinbotham up to $100,000 each.

Port Noarlunga South Residents’ Group spokesman Gordon Penhall said people from all over the world enjoyed coming to look at the proposed housing site, which is home to kangaroos and local celebrity Gary the Goat.

The land was zoned residential in 1988.

A Hickinbotham Group spokesman said the company was “continuing to work with the Onkaparinga Council and relevant bodies to progress the approved statutory development process.”

He said the company had held extensive community consultation.

The legal advice will be presented to the council after its November election.

Two Wells population to swell when construction starts on Liberty Estate next month
Rebecca DiGirolamo, Sunday Mail (SA)
August 25, 2018 7:59pm

SOUTH Australia’s biggest private residential development will provide around 470 on-site construction jobs each year until at least 2036 once civil construction starts next month.

The first stage of Hickinbotham Group’s Liberty estate is part of the $1.2 billion Two Wells township expansion, which will create more than 3000 jobs over the next 20 years and boost population from 2552 to more than 10,000.

The 400ha Liberty development is in the north-western corner of Two Wells, 45km north of Adelaide, and is located with its sister estate, Eden.

“Liberty will include extensive recreational trails, sporting facilities, and the historic township of Two Wells is just a short stroll down the road,” Hickinbotham Group managing director Michael Hickinbotham said.


An aerial concept image of the completed Liberty Estate in Two Wells.

He said the development had been established to provide families with housing affordability at all stages of life.

“The estate has been designed with a focus on family living, with the majority of allotments being larger,” Mr Hickinbotham said. “There is plenty of open space for kids to kick a ball or fly a kite.

“The proposed Lutheran birth-to-Year 12 school will be a focal point of Liberty and will meet the needs of the growing community and district.”

Allotment sizes will range from 417sq m to about 1000sq m to suit those looking for low-maintenance living to larger family homes.

Mr Hickinbotham said the company had worked with the Adelaide Plains Council and the community since 2007 to ensure the Two Wells township expansion was well-planned and delivered increased infrastructure with population growth.

The Liberty construction project is anticipated to have a life of up to 20 years.

Goodsy wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 23, 2018 3:18 pm

No provision for a train station and no intersection upgrades for Port Wakefield road..

rev wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 25, 2018 4:05 am

Goodsy wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 23, 2018 3:18 pm

No provision for a train station and no intersection upgrades for Port Wakefield road..

Maybe double up the freight line that runs past Two Wells?
I assume it’s a freight line, dunno not really into trains.