Media response - Anne Close, Christie Downs
Published on 09 October 2025
Enquiry - The Advertiser
I'm a senior journalist working on a story for news.com.au about the situation at the Anne Close housing complex in Christie Downs, having been featured in a YouTube video this week. Apologies if it doesn't fall inside Onkaparinga Council's remit - if it does, could I send some questions your way for the piece?
- Is the depiction of Anne Close in the video a fair one?
- Residents earlier this year spoke of the drug use and antisocial behaviour they'd witnessed/experienced at Anne Close. Is Housing Trust aware of the situation?
- Have steps been made to improve conditions there?
- If steps have not been taken, what is preventing that from happening (eg. lack of funding, resources, etc)?
- More broadly, what is the situation in terms of crime/anti-social behaviour in Christie Downs? Is this an issue for the area?
- Anything else you'd like to add also welcome.
Response
The Anne Close complex is owned, managed and maintained by SA Housing Trust. Housing Trust is a member of the Southern Safety Committee – a collaborative network of organisations and service providers that also includes SA Police, the City of Onkaparinga, SA Health, the Department for Child Protection, and various non-government organisations.
These organisations work together to enhance community safety, promote social inclusion and participation, reduce crime, and build strong, vibrant communities. Housing Trust has advised the committee of a number of recent incidents across the state involving residential properties, including at Anne Close.
In response, the state government introduced the Good Neighbour Policy, which sets clear expectations for tenant behaviour. Under this policy, public housing tenants who engage in antisocial behaviour are formally notified and required to immediately rectify their behaviour. If subsequent behaviour agreements are breached, Housing Trust will apply to evict them.
The Southern Safety Committee remains committed to working collaboratively with all partners to support safe, inclusive, and connected neighbourhoods.
The City of Onkaparinga’s Community Development Team also provides support by connecting with people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness including those with lived experience at Anne Close. This approach recognises that some residents require additional supports to maintain a successful housing tenancy.
Feedback provided from the community about their lived experience in any housing tenancy arrangement is shared with relevant organisations or agencies including Housing Trust.
In September 2025, Council approved the establishment of an Onkaparinga Advance to Zero Homelessness Project, which aims to respond to growing numbers of people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. We recently wrote to the Minister for Human Services and the Housing Trust seeking support for this project.
An Advance to Zero model recognises the importance of wrap-around supports for tenants to maintain successful housing tenancy into the future, working in partnership with a range of different agencies including Housing Trust.
We also provide a range of community programs and activities at nearby Niipu-niipu Wama/Morton Park and Morton Road Sports and Community Hub and Wardli Centre (which includes youth services and Neporendi Aboriginal Community Centre), as well as supporting Christie Downs Community House Board of Management in the programs and services they provide for community.
ENDS