Growth without infrastructure? Council says that’s a price homebuyers can’t afford

Labor’s $10 billion pledge to build 100,000 homes for first home buyers, and the Coalition’s $5 billion plan to fund infrastructure such as water and sewerage to unlock 500,000 new homes, were both described by the council as steps in the right direction.

However, Mayor David Leach says that without investment in critical infrastructure in fast-growing regions like Mount Barker now, housing goals risk falling short.

“You can’t deliver homes without the infrastructure that makes them liveable,” Mayor Leach said.

“Our message is simple: if either side of politics is serious about housing, then help us build the infrastructure that unlocks new housing.”

With Mount Barker leading regional population growth in South Australia, the council is seeking $48 million in Federal and state government funding to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant – a $100 million project that will unlock 14,000 new homes.

While most councils in South Australia rely on SA Water to provide wastewater services, Mount Barker is an outlier, being expected to fund and operate its own treatment plant.

“Mount Barker has land already zoned and projects ready to go –the missing link is infrastructure,” Mayor Leach said.

“Without federal and state government investment in critical wastewater infrastructure, the cost of growth gets pushed onto developers—and ultimately, new homebuyers. That drives up prices and undermines the very goals these housing commitments are meant to achieve.

“We’re shovel-ready. We just need state and federal governments to come to the table.”

A recent Property Council of Australia report named Mount Barker among Greater Adelaide’s most affordable locations for key workers, but it also warned that developer contributions to infrastructure are now pricing many builders and first homeowners out of the market.

Mayor Leach said it's a trend the council is working hard to avoid even if it means reducing developer contributions to remain competitive.

“We simply can’t keep on raising charges on developers. We’re already seeing the limits of what the market will bear,” he said.

“In some cases, we’re being forced to reduce infrastructure contributions just to keep development viable. That’s not sustainable, and it’s not fair on the ratepayer.”

“We’re not asking for handouts. We’re asking for partnership – to deliver the kind of growth South Australia needs, which is both sustainable and affordable for the people who need it most,” Mayor Leach said.