The Hon. Nick Champion, Minister for Housing and Urban Development (SA); The Hon. Simone Bailey, Labor Candidate for Hammond, Joint Media Release, 12 February 2026

The Malinauskas Labor Government has rezoned land at Murray Bridge that will allow for hundreds of homes to be built in one of the state’s biggest housing growth fronts.

The Minister for Planning has adopted the Murray Bridge Residential Growth Areas Code Amendment which will rezone around 97.5 hectares of rural and unused agricultural land west of Murray Bridge to allow for low to medium density housing, expanding local housing options in the region.

The rezoning is expected to allow for up to 900 new homes, reflecting the state government’s commitment to providing more homes for South Australians, as outlined in the Premier’s Housing Roadmap.

The Greater Adelaide Regional Plan identified Murray Bridge’s strong long-term growth potential, with capacity for more than 30,000 new homes, favourable land conditions for large-scale residential and employment development and recreational opportunities centred around the Murray River.

The code amendment also introduces the Affordable Housing Overlay, which means any development with more than 20 allotments must ensure that at least 15 per cent of new homes are classified as affordable sale.

Additionally, the adoption of the Code Amendment will see a transition to Suburban Neighbourhood Zone for the affected land, ensuring residential growth aligns with the established character of the region.

The Code Amendment incorporates three Concept Plans to guide development. It also sets clear planning rules to guide how the area will be developed and ensures new housing cannot proceed until essential infrastructure planning for Murray Bridge is finalised.

This will be coordinated through the Murray Bridge Basic Infrastructure Scheme, which will guarantee future homes are properly serviced and infrastructure costs are shared fairly.

A re-elected Malinauskas Labor Government would invest over $100 million in Murray Bridge across public transport, health, skills and crime prevention.

Labor’s plan for Murray Bridge includes:

• Delivering cheaper, better public transport with a $12.8 million MetroCard expansion to Murray Bridge (saving up to $19 per trip), $10.3 million for additional bus services including 30-minute peak frequency to Mount Barker and new Adelaide routes and $680,000 for free Footy Express services.
• Delivering major health upgrades in Murray Bridge with a $15 million maternity ward and birthing unit, a modern renal dialysis unit, a $5.6 million permanent ambulance crew and expanded fuel subsidies for regional patients needing frequent treatment.
• Investing $50 million in a brand-new Technical College at the Murray Bridge High School, to open in 2028.
• Investing $8.6 million upgrading Fraser Park Primary by building new learning spaces, classrooms, a studio workshop and inclusive support spaces.
• Delivering a new Murray Bridge Police Station with room for growth and more police officers, with an increased policing operations footprint, cell expansion, prescribed interview rooms and appropriate incident management zones.

The Malinauskas Labor Government has adopted 44 and initiated 109 code amendments since coming to government in March 2022, rezoning 2634.9 hectares of land.

Quotes attributable to Nick Champion

Murray Bridge represents one of the most significant opportunities for housing growth in South Australia.
 
It’s important we get it right from the start, and that housing growth is backed by thoughtful planning.

This decision supports jobs, services and liveable communities and will ensure housing growth is backed by the infrastructure that residents need.

Labor has a comprehensive plan for Murray Bridge that will ensure residents have a government that backs in the growth with real investment.

Quotes attributable to Simone Bailey

Murray Bridge is a city with a bright future.

I’m proud to be part of a Malinauskas Team that is working closely with the Murray Bridge Council and our community to make sure we plan and prepare for that future.

This is good for jobs, for infrastructure, for affordability and for our community.

I want to be a representative for Hammond that gets things done, and delivers real results.

Quotes attributable to Mayor Wayne Thorley, District Council of Murray Bridge

Council has been working toward the Western Areas rezoning for some time and through our partnership with the State Government and Minister Champion, we’re now able to support the inner township’s use for residential purposes.

This initiative opens the door to more affordable housing options and strengthens our partnership with the State Government. Murray Bridge offers a fantastic lifestyle just an hour from Adelaide making it an increasingly attractive place for people to live, work and invest.