Media response - Regional Movers Index

Published on 06 June 2024

Response to the Fleurieu Sun.

• The journalist asked for some comments for a story on new research from the Regional Australia Institute re: regional migration, mentioning that Onkaparinga “recorded some of the largest outflow of millennials” from Adelaide

Comments attributed to Renee Mitchell, Director Planning

Can I please grab a comment on what these findings mean for Onkaparinga?

Onkaparinga has a diverse age demographic including a higher proportion of children (under 18) and a higher proportion of persons aged 60-or-older than Greater Adelaide. While the council doesn’t have data regarding reasons for population movements, an outflow of Millennials from Onkaparinga could be attributed both to this age cohort moving closer to the City of Adelaide for work opportunities and a wider selection of housing, and to regional areas for cheaper housing as the cost of outer suburban house prices increases.

What specific focus - policy/project wise have been or are being planned to accommodate for a greater demand on the city's infrastructure, services etc.?

The council, together with the State Planning Commission, undertook the Onkaparinga Local Area Plan (OLAP) in 2020 – a plan to manage housing and employment growth for the city over the next 20 years. This includes planning for residential growth based on various population scenarios of between 22,000 and 39,000 additional people by 2040.

The OLAP plans for this growth to occur in greenfield, infill areas, townships and centres, and identifies the soft and hard infrastructure required to support this growth. The OLAP is one of the council’s strategic plans that helps inform budget priorities for our capital works program.

Are there any specific projects in the budget targeted at accommodating a growing population?

While not in the budget, the council continues to work closely with Planning and Land Use Services (in the Department for Trade and Investment) on the development of the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan, which will provide a regional framework for growth over the next 30 years.

This includes both the metropolitan areas and adjoining regional areas such as Alexandrina and Victor Harbor council areas. Within Onkaparinga, we’ve been working with the state government on the planning of large-scale land releases at Aldinga, Noarlunga, Onkaparinga Heights, and Sellicks Beach that will provide a diverse choice and cost range for housing. This includes social housing and affordable and market housing, which will help address the housing supply issues the state is facing.

ENDS