‘Crying out for more’: Major housing development on cards for Riverland town

It’s not seen a major housing development approved in over a decade.

But Berri’s housing drought could be about to end, with developers circling a major development site that could see the popular Riverland town welcome its first residential estate in 15 years.

Expression of interest are currently sought for Lot 45 McLean St, a 3.06ha site opposite the Berri Golf Course, for an undisclosed price guide.

Marketed as development ready, the sale comes with two professionally drafted concept plans which show the site could accommodate at least 34 new homes on individuals titles varying between 513sqm and 1919sqm in size.

Selling agent Greg Cram of Ray White Riverland, who is selling the property alongside Patrick Larkin, said the development could help address the region’s critical housing shortage.

Only this week, Berri was identified as one of 15 SA localities with notably low new dwelling approvals, indicative of significant restrictive planning frameworks.

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The 3.06ha site could deliver the first new housing estate in Berri in over 15 years.

The site is ready for development and sits adjacent Berri Golf Course.

Mr Cram said the last major housing development was approved in 2010, leading to the construction of 35 new homes between Jarvis St and Anthony St.

“With this development, a lot of people have been waiting for it. It’s in a very popular part of town and we’ve already had strong interest as far as inquiries go,” he said.

“But the next big thing will be about (for future buyers) seeing if the council is going to be progressive and accepting enough of the plans that people have for it.

“We’re finding that more and more people up here are giving up on building because one, they can’t find any land and two, it’s usually two or three years before they can get anything build (due to council approval).

Real estate agent Greg Cram at the Berri land development. Picture: Ben Clark

Two professionally drafted concept plans already available to guide your vision

“But we really need more housing up here. In terms of rentals, there’s nothing.”

Research by MCG Quantity Surveyors shows that while 2831 new homes were approved in the Riverlands over the past 24 months, only five of those were in Berri.

This is despite housing demand having pushed up prices by 38.8 per cent over the last three years and an impressive 84.8 per cent since Covid. The average home now sells for $370,000.

Mr Larkin said the Riverlands were “crying out” for more homes.

“That’s especially true for Berri where most of the government services are and it’s more of the corporate hub and Renmark and Barmera are all just 20km away,” he said.

“So given it’s the heartland of the Riverlands, it’s absolutely crying out for more houses and land to develop.”

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