At least 800 new homes – of which no less than a quarter will be affordable housing – are set to be built in the beachside suburb of Aldinga, south of Adelaide.

The 45ha master planned community will unlock housing supply south of the city after a partnership agreement was signed between Renewal SA and an award-winning national developer.

Villawood Properties will deliver the net zero carbon development, which will boast a mix of detached, semi-detached and townhouse homes, incorporating initiatives including high-efficiency buildings, solar, heat pumps, batteries and a microgrid to reduce energy costs.

The greenfield site is adjacent Aldinga Payinthi College and is a short walk from Aldinga Village.

Renewal SA Chief Executive Chris Menz said the agreement confirmed a commitment to “deliver more housing faster, particularly in the southern suburbs where supply is at a premium”.

“It’s pleasing, and important, to see strong focus on sustainability targets as well as affordable housing outcomes, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve both across projects,” Mr Menz said.

In partnership with Renewal SA, Villawood will deliver:

• A connected community anchored by a Villawood Community Club. Proposals for the club include a pool, gym, function room, parents' room, café, sports courts and work from home (WFH) spaces, and would permit access by the public.
• Sixteen per cent of the land to be dedicated as open space for recreation and nature with a tree canopy target of at least 25 per cent at maturity.
• A net zero carbon community, incorporating all-electric development, rooftop solar and an embedded energy network. The development will also feature the use of light-coloured roofing for mitigating heat, plus water sensitive urban design including the use of recycled water for irrigation of reserves.

Villawood will also deliver an over 55s Lifestyle Village on the site's western parcel, consisting of one, two and three-bedroom homes, surrounded by recreational and wellbeing amenities. Proposals here include a clubhouse with a pool, spa, sauna, gymnasium, cinema, co-working space and bar.

Villawood chief Executive Alan Miller said: “This is seriously ground-breaking stuff for South Australia and it’s blazing a new path for mainstream sustainable housing and premium affordability for the entire country."

The State Government has also preserved a corridor of land through Aldinga for a future extension of the Seaford rail line to Aldinga.

Public engagement on Villawood’s draft master plan for the development will begin later this year with construction due to commence late next year.