Madison Eastmond, Murray Pioneer

Berri Barmera Council says no local dwelling applications are being refused, while senior Riverland property industry figures say a new major residential development is set to help address a “dire shortage” of housing in the region.

Being constructed across from the Berri Golf Course, Lot 45 McLean Street is now searching for expressions of interest, with the sale of the 3.06ha property including two drafted concept plans of a possible 34 individual homes for the district.

The 2024 Long Term Strategic reports have shown the median house price in Berri and Barmera has increased by 19.5 per cent in the past two years and the rental vacancy rate is 0.6 per cent, with local businesses also reporting challenges in attracting skilled workers due to a shortage of available housing and childcare.

While the State Government’s draft of the Murray Mallee Regional Plan forecasts around 300 new homes for Berri over the next 15 years under a high-growth scenario to amend the crisis, current demand is already outpacing the projections that were originally based on historic trends.

Ray White Riverland sales associate Patrick Larkin said the new estate — the first in 15 years — could be a step forward in providing a solution to the “dire shortage” of housing in Berri.

“This is easily one of the most exciting developments Berri has seen,” he said.

“(Ray White Riverland) has been inundated with enquiries of people looking or homes, and land.

“It’s been too long (since the last development). There needs to be room for people to build and establish housing that they want, as opposed to being forced to buy something already existing.

“This is going to give people a lot more options, and we’re just really excited.”

Selling the property alongside Mr Larkin, Ray White Riverland senior sales executive Greg Cram said he hoped the “(Berri Barmera) council would be supportive of the development”.

“Since we launched last Thursday, we have received huge interest from developers,” Mr Cram said.

“We are expecting it to be sold prior to the expression of interest (closing), and anticipating it will be going in around the $1.2m mark.

“We hope the local council will support the development all the way, as there is a serious need for residential land in, and around, the heart of Berri.”

While recent research by Melbourne-based survey-ing firm, MCG Quantity Surveyors, revealed Berri was a regional growth area with especially low building approvals over the past two years, at 0.3 per cent approvals, Berri Barmera CEO Time Pfeiffer attributes the figure to availability and cost factors.

“In the past 12 months, council has not refused any dwelling applications,” Mr Pfeiffer said.

“While Berri Barmera already has land appropriately zoned for residential development, unlocking new housing often depends on the availability and cost of critical infrastructure such as roads, stormwater, electricity, water and wastewater services.

“We understand the community is feeling housing pressure and are aware of the significant demand in our area.”

Mr Pfeiffer said the council was “committed to supporting new development while protecting (the) vital agricultural heartland, with sites like Lot 45 McLean Street and many others identified through (the) strategic work, showing the exciting opportunities ahead”.

“A major development application for 129 new allotments in Berri has recently been submitted, with council working closely alongside the developer to help bring this exciting project to life.

“The State Government’s draft Murray Mallee Regional Plan falls significantly short in the 15-year growth forecast for Berri Barmera, which is demonstrated by the recent 129-allotment application submitted, accounting for nearly half of the State Government’s long-term forecasted growth.

“While delivering the infrastructure needed to unlock new housing is often complex and costly, council welcomes the opportunity to work closely with state and federal partners to deliver the essential infrastructure our growing community needs — helping to secure a strong future for Berri and the broader Riverland region.”

For more information, visit the Ray White Riverland website (raywhiteriverland.com.au/properties/residential-for-sale/sa/berri-343/land/3283395).

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 30 April 2025.