Project update
Ordinary Council Meeting - Thursday 26 February 2026
Council held an additional Ordinary Council Meeting on Thursday 26 February 2026 at 5.30 pm at the Alexandrina Council Community Chambers, "Wal Yuntu Warrin", 11 Cadell Street, Goolwa. This meeting was held to progress the draft South Coast Growth Strategy (SCGS). The SCGS outlines the progression of future development in Goolwa, Hindmarsh Island, Middleton and Port Elliot.
Council received and noted a report titled South Coast Growth Strategy.
A motion to approve the SCGS with the inclusion of the Traeger land component of Area Q, was defeated. A Division was called (a new vote formally recording Council Members' votes for and against a motion), and it was again defeated.
Council then voted on and approved the SCGS, as presented and recommended in the agenda.
The recommended SCGS identifies growth areas to be made available for predominantly residential growth, in a staged manner, and as required, up to 2051 (or beyond). The SCGS also identifies areas that were part of the consultation draft considered by the community in mid to late 2024 that have been removed from the strategy following community consultation. The areas removed from the SCGS included land identified as Area Q, located between Goolwa and Middleton, which garnered significant opposition.
Council also noted that the SCGS will inform the Local Area Plan (Housing Strategy) for the South Coast townships and will also inform any other relevant strategic planning decisions.
Administration was delegated approval to make minor editorial or graphic changes to the SCGS prior to it being published on Council’s website and via social media.
In relation to the land identified as Area Q in the consultation draft of the South Coast Growth Strategy, Council resolved to:
- Recognise the cultural, environmental and landscape values of the area.
- Hold discussions with relevant Federal and State Ministers and other related entities to request that Federal or State Governments purchase and acquire the sensitive wetland portion of the land in Area Q and amalgamate the land into the adjacent Tokuremoar Reserve to ensure the protection, conservation and management of this environmentally and culturally important area.
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About the project
Alexandrina Council invited the community to share where they thought future growth should occur on the South Coast, including Goolwa, Hindmarsh Island, Middleton and Port Elliot.
With a housing affordability and availability crisis affecting communities across Australia, Council was asked by Federal and State Governments to identify locations suitable for housing growth over the next 30 years. As a result of community feedback, Council has considered different locations to accommodate this growth.
There are a number of factors that need to be considered when identifying possible areas for growth and one key factor is feedback from the community.
This draft strategy encompasses feedback received from the community in late 2023 when Council held Village Conversations at Goolwa, Port Elliot and Middleton. Community feedback will also be considered for any amendments to this draft strategy.
This draft South Coast Growth Strategy aims to provide clear guidelines about where the community would prefer development, and how much, and what infrastructure is needed to accommodate growth.
The draft Strategy will also guide strategic decisions such as how Council responds to Code Amendments proposed for our region to rezone land for housing and other development.
Council held three drop-in sessions to share the strategy and inform about the locations that were identified for consideration for housing development, and some of the opportunities and constraints of those locations.
