Port Adelaide Football Club’s vision to transform almost 20,000 square metres of land around Alberton Oval has reached a significant planning milestone, with the South Australian Government approving the Proposal to Initiate the Alberton Square Code Amendment.
The approval, granted by Minister for Planning Hon Nick Champion, formally begins the rezoning process for the land between Alberton Oval and Port Road, paving the way for the next phase of the ambitious mixed-use precinct.
The club has also appointed national urban renewal specialist Alinea Group to lead the next phase of the project as commercial advisor and development project manager, with independent consultancy RCP supporting the process.
The appointment will support the club as it progresses planning, community engagement and market testing to identify the right development and capital partners for Alberton Square.
The proposed rezoning would increase maximum building heights across the precinct from two storeys to up to 13, creating the potential for 250 to 300 apartments, up to 20,000 square metres of commercial floor space, new retail and an estimated 570 jobs.
Medical, allied health and wellbeing services are also proposed to complement Alberton Oval’s high-performance sporting facilities, creating an integrated health, sport, education and residential campus.
A Concept Plan will guide building heights and movement connections where the precinct meets surrounding suburbs. The site is also less than a kilometre from both Alberton and Cheltenham railway stations and is serviced by bus routes along Port Road.
Minister Champion said the project aligned with the State Government’s broader housing agenda.
“Alberton Square is a proposal that aligns closely with the Malinauskas Government’s strategic housing priorities; homes, jobs and services on a well-connected corridor close to the city,” the Minister said.
“A vibrant mixed-use hub of this kind, anchored by the iconic Alberton Oval and within a few kilometres of the AUKUS precinct, has the potential to be a significant landmark of the western suburbs.
“I commend the Port Adelaide Football Club for its vision and its long-term thinking as they work towards bringing Alberton Square to life, and I’d encourage other clubs and councils sitting on well-located land to think the same way.”
Port Adelaide Football Club Chairman David Koch AM said the vision extended well beyond football.
“This vision for Alberton Square will create a world-class mixed-use precinct, including commercial, health and wellness, education, community and residential uses across an almost 20,000 square metre site between Alberton Oval and Port Road,” Koch said.
“This development seamlessly integrates an AFL club’s elite facilities with a dynamic, multi-use community environment where people will live, work and play.
“The approval of the Proposal to Initiate the Code Amendment is a major milestone for the project. It provides strong validation and confidence in the merit this development will bring, not only to our club but importantly to the community.”
The land is located within a few kilometres of the Osborne shipyards, home to the AUKUS submarine program, and is positioned along a key western suburbs corridor.
The site is held through the Port Adelaide Football Club Property Unit Trust (PAFCPUT), a dedicated vehicle established to progress the project independently of football operations and build an enduring asset base for the club.
Port Adelaide Chief Executive Officer Matthew Richardson said the design approach had been informed by international examples of sports-led precinct development.
“Port Adelaide’s vision for the expansion of the Alberton Oval precinct and opening it up to Port Road has been modelled on similar campus-style developments around the world, which incorporate high-performance sports facilities and venues to provide much greater community use,” Richardson said.
“We will now proceed with the formal planning process, which involves the application for land rezoning and development approvals through the statutory process.
“Alongside this, we will continue to engage with the community and all stakeholders, including market testing to identify the right partners to help us realise the full scale and opportunity of this project, for the benefit of the community and the Port Adelaide Football Club.”
Richardson said the appointment of Alinea Group was an important step in progressing the project.
“The appointment of Alinea Group is also a significant step in the progression of this exciting project.
“Alinea Group have experience in large-scale placemaking precinct developments around the country, and we are pleased to be working with them in ensuring we optimise the expansion of the Alberton Oval precinct.”
Alinea Group specialises in urban renewal, placemaking and structuring development partnerships.
The group has advised on more than $100 billion in urban renewal projects and transacted partnership deals worth more than $10.8 billion, including South Australia’s $1.25 billion Gouger and Grote Street development, the $500 million Central Market Arcade redevelopment, the $900 million City East project and the $3.5 billion Queens Wharf Brisbane precinct.
South Australian consultancy RCP will support Alinea Group, bringing deep national and local project delivery expertise and having previously partnered on the $900 million City East project.
Alinea Group Managing Director Ben Koop, who led Port Adelaide’s original renewal strategy more than 15 years ago, said Alberton Square represented a significant opportunity.
“Opportunities like Alberton Square do not come along often. A site of this scale, on a key corridor, integrated with an elite sporting precinct and within a few kilometres of the AUKUS build at Osborne, means it is a proposition the market will take notice of,” Koop said.
“Alongside RCP, our focus is on structuring an opportunity that attracts the right capital partners and delivers exceptional, lasting value for the club and the community.”
With approval to initiate the Code Amendment secured, Port Adelaide and its advisors will now prepare the amendment for public consultation before progressing land rezoning and development approvals through the statutory process.
Community engagement and market testing to identify development and capital partners will run in parallel, with the rezoning process expected to take 12 to 18 months.
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