The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments are working together to fast-track more housing for South Australians, through the redevelopment of two key Defence sites near the Adelaide CBD.
Hampstead Barracks was recently identified as a property for divestment, as part of the Australian Government’s response to the independent Defence Estate Audit. The Audit identified sites surplus to Defence’s need, with no clear or ongoing link to capabilities or keeping Australians safe.
Today, the Albanese and Malinauskas Governments announce they are entering into formal negotiations to advance this work, with a view to divesting Hampstead Barracks to the State Government, which would allow the delivery of new housing and community facilities.
In addition, Defence expects to vacate Keswick Barracks two years ahead of schedule.
The Malinauskas Government’s $500 million Housing Fast-Track Fund is available to support the acquisition of strategically located land that can help deliver more homes sooner for South Australians.
Early planning indicates the Hampstead Barracks site could support about 400 homes, including a mix of apartment buildings alongside two and three-storey townhouses centred around a large public park.
Defence has begun looking at options for Australian Defence Force personnel currently based at Hampstead Barracks, including administration staff, cadets and Australian Defence Force Reservists, who currently use the site. No personnel will be required to relocate until suitable alternatives are identified in consultation with the affected workforce.
Any divestment to the State Government will be subject to achieving market value and mutually acceptable terms, including ensuring there is appropriate investment in infrastructure to support future development.
The Federal and South Australian Governments are also progressing plans to develop housing at the 12.81 hectare Keswick Barracks, located just outside the Adelaide CBD.
Defence expects to vacate Keswick Barracks by as early as 2030, two years earlier than previously planned at which point Renewal SA will take control.
This process will be managed in a staged and sensible way in close consultation with the Defence workforce, the Department of Finance, local community, and First Nations people.
Renewal SA took ownership of Keswick in late 2023 under a land exchange agreement with the Commonwealth to help deliver AUKUS at the Osborne shipyard. Under the agreement, the land was leased back to the Commonwealth for up to eight years.
The South Australian Government has since begun considering the future development and master planning of the site.
Keswick Barracks represents a longer-term urban renewal opportunity. Renewal SA has begun assessing the site’s housing potential, with detailed heritage investigations of historic buildings on the site underway, alongside investigations into infrastructure and services.
The Keswick Barracks will form part of a new connected inner-south precinct with the Forestville development at the old Le Cornu site and a development at the Adelaide Showgrounds on Rose Terrace.
The South Australian Government has committed that at least 15 per cent of dwellings at any future development at Keswick will be reserved for affordable housing.
The site boasts ample connections to public transport, and key amenities such as Adelaide Showground and Ashford Hospital.
ADF personnel and Defence services will gradually relocate to alternative facilities over the coming years. As with Hampstead Barracks, this will be done in close consultation with the workforce, local community, and First Nations people.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“We’re making sure Defence has the facilities it actually needs, and making better use of this land, delivering more homes for Australians.
“Every dollar raised through these divestments will be reinvested in Defence.
“When it comes to housing, my government leaves no stone unturned to help Australians – whether it’s a first home buyer, or a renter in need of affordable housing.
“I’m proud of the work my Government is doing, in partnership with Premier Malinauskas, to deliver for South Australians.”
Quotes attributable to Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas:
“We need more homes, and we need to build them where people want to live.
“Hampstead and Keswick Barracks are close to the city, close to jobs and close to public transport. That makes them prime sites for housing developments.
“The Albanese Government has made a sensible decision about land Defence no longer needs, and we’re working together to put that land to good use.
“We’re using every lever available to us to get more homes built, in the right places. That means more choice for families, more affordable housing and better-connected communities.”
