The Malinauskas Labor Government has said no to more housing in South Australia during a housing crisis – refusing to release additional land while blocking crucial transparency reforms to better manage Environment and Food Production Areas (EFPAs).
Opposing sensible amendments to the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Environment and Food Production Areas) Amendment Bill 2025 put forward by the Opposition, Labor’s decision means that no land will be unlocked for new housing in the areas identified as non-productive farmland.
Leader of the Opposition, Vincent Tarzia said while Labor boasts about ‘unlocking 61,000 new homes,’ it has stubbornly refused amendments that would have allowed more than 10,000 more homes to be built for over 25,000 people.
"It's outrageous that Labor is patting itself on the back for 61,000 potential homes over 30 years at a time when South Australians are crying out for more housing options now,” Mr Tarzia said.
“The Opposition’s amendments were backed by key industry groups including the Urban Development Institute of Australia, the Housing Industry Association, the Property Council, and Master Builders SA, who all recognised the urgent need to increase land supply.
“Blocking these changes shows just how out of touch this Government is and a complete lack of understanding of the pressures facing families, first home buyers and regional towns across the state.”
Shadow Minister for Housing, Michelle Lensink said that South Australian farmers feed us, yet under Labor they’re shut out of decisions about their own land.
"Regional communities around South Australia deserve to be heard," Ms Lensink said.
"Instead, Labor rushed through this legislation, ahead of a scheduled 2027 EFPA review, to protect its own metropolitan electorates while turning its back on growing regional communities.
"Without proper mapping and genuine consultation, Labor is risking sacrificing prime farmland or stifling regional development based on flawed information. We offered sensible solutions to bring sunlight to the process, but Labor has again chosen secrecy over transparency.”
In a decision which speaks to the Greens’ inconsistent housing, environmental and planning policy approach, they also voted against all these amendments, including the Green Circular Economy Project.
The Opposition’s amendments would have:
- Opened up the underutilised corridor west of Port Wakefield Road, north of Riverlea. This land is served by a dual-carriageway and is in good proximity to the AUKUS Project at Osborne. There are already two significant proposed developments in this corridor which are supported by the Adelaide Plains Council which Labor has just blocked.
o Two Wells West, providing 9,000 homes for 22,500 people.
o An exciting Dublin Green Circular Economy Precinct that will transform an underutilised site into South Australia’s first green, industrial, residential and clean energy economy precinct using sustainable technologies. This included 1,300 new homes for 3,250 people at Dublin. The developer is prepared to pay for the sewerage. - Provided additional land around Victor Harbor and Goolwa that is no longer suitable for long term viable farming. Most of these allotments have single dwellings and are currently well serviced with existing water and electricity infrastructure.
- Allowed two parcels of land to be included in the “Gifford Hill” development, which would allow that development to be better master planned for recreation and green spaces.
- Ensured independent mapping and auditing of primary production land is undertaken to better identify where non-prime agricultural land could be sensibly released for housing.
- Allowed farmer representation on the State Planning Commission to ensure agricultural communities have a voice.
- Ensured public reporting of farmland audits to allow communities to see the facts for themselves.
