The Committee for Adelaide is urging all political parties ahead of the 2026 State Election to prioritise urban infill over urban sprawl and commit to doing density well to meet the state’s growing housing demand.

Drawing on research conducted through the 2025 Benchmarking Adelaide Report and extensive engagement with over 250 members and key stakeholders, the Committee wants to see more high-quality, mixed-used development in the CBD and inner-metropolitan area to boost supply, rather than growth continuing to be pushed to outer metropolitan and regional areas.

Housing is one of five key areas that is included in the Committee’s 2026 Election Priorities alongside infrastructure, economy, climate change, and health and wellbeing.

Under ‘Housing,’ the Committee is advocating for:

• Increased residential growth in the CBD, including setting more ambitious growth targets beyond the existing aim of 50,000 residents by 2036 and for the State Government to work with the City of Adelaide and the private sector to unlock, de-risk and accelerate residential housing developments and adaptive reuse projects to support growth.
• Implementation of a state-wide registration database for short stay accommodation to provide a useful tool for evidence-based regulation of the sector and manage any adverse impacts short term rentals have on long-term housing and rental supply and affordability.
• Investment in and support of local innovative, climate-smart construction methods including modular, prefabricated and innovative adaptive reuse techniques, to provide faster and more productive building solutions to address Adelaide’s housing shortages.
• Adoption of AI across the ePlanning system to enable immediate, automated development approvals for applications where prescriptive criteria is met.

The Committee for Adelaide welcomes the Malinauskas Government’s recent election commitment of a $500 million pre-sale guarantee fund for developers and the lifting of height limits across many areas of the CBD, clearing unnecessary red tape and paving the way for more apartment living and city growth.

This change, delivered through a new partnership between Committee for Adelaide Platinum Member Adelaide Airport Limited, will allow taller buildings across key parts of the city, without impacting flight paths or safety.

Quotes Attributable to Committee for Adelaide Chair, Raymond Spencer:

“This is exactly the type of reform that is needed to enable more higher-density housing in the CBD that makes the most of existing transport corridors, maintains access to open space and encourages more people to live, work and invest in the heart of Adelaide. We have a unique opportunity to grow Adelaide without losing what makes it so special. We must build smarter, not just faster. We must maintain quality, not just quantity. And we must make the most of our remaining urban land. We surveyed over 250 people, and housing came out as the number one priority for Adelaideans when thinking about the future. It’s critical we get this right – density done well can create vibrant, connected neighbourhoods that are both affordable and sustainable,” said Committee for Adelaide Chair, Raymond Spencer.

Committee for Adelaide Chief Executive Sam Dighton said Adelaide’s growth must be guided by a vision that balances housing supply, liveability, and sustainability.

“We need to plan for a city that supports diverse housing types, improves access to essential services, and ensures growth strengthens rather than fragments our communities,” Mr Dighton said.

“As the state strives to increase much-needed housing supply, we believe in prioritising well designed, community-centred urban infill, over urban sprawl.

“This must include more social, affordable and age-friendly housing that makes the most of existing transport corridors, protects and maintains open space and supports improved amenity and social, environmental and liveability outcomes for local communities.”

“As Adelaide looks ahead to 40% population growth over the next 25 years, we need to be more ambitious with city population targets. With only 26,000 people currently living in the city centre, the share of city population is barely a third of the peer average, presenting an opportunity to boost supply and boost the city residential base.

—————————————————————————————————-

Click here for the Committee for Adelaide’s 2026 State Election Priorities.

Click here for the 2025 Benchmarking Adelaide Report.