Renmark Paringa Council has taken significant strides towards supporting growing demand for housing in regional areas, unlocking development potential for over 500 houses through a major wastewater infrastructure project.

Council has endorsed moving ahead with the design and construction of the Renmark West Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS) Expansion.

The significant project will help supply land to not only the growing Renmark population, but also meet the rising appetite of people looking to move to the district.

Mayor Peter Hunter said everything Council is seeing, from development enquiries to land supply pressures, indicates that people want to live in Renmark.

“Our community is growing, demand for housing is strong, and people are choosing Renmark to build their lives,” Mayor Hunter said.

“This project is Council stepping up and delivering the infrastructure needed to support that growth and provide quality options for people to purchase land and call Renmark home.”

The Renmark West area is identified as a key growth zone in Council’s Growth Strategy and has capacity for more than 500 new allotments.

Located on the fringe of Renmark, in an area tailored to large 2000m2 blocks and rural neighbourhood living, it is a destination that will be strongly sort after.

Development in this area had previously been constrained for more than a decade due to the planning limitations with onsite wastewater systems and groundwater conditions.

Mayor Hunter said the CWMS expansion removes one of the biggest barriers to this style of housing supply in Renmark.

“We’re not just planning for growth - we’re enabling it,” he said. “This investment means families, workers and retirees will have more choice, more affordability and more opportunity to settle in our region.”

The project involves a Council-led expansion of the CWMS network into Renmark West, ensuring an integrated, future-proofed system that supports orderly development, protects groundwater and waterways, and meets long-term environmental and public health standards.

Renmark Paringa Council Chief Executive Officer Tony Siviour said the project is based around long-term growth.

“This project will enable us to support the strong interest we are seeing for people wanting to live in Renmark and surrounds,” he said.

“It is also underpinned by making sure Council pursues this project with financial viability at the forefront, and this is outlined extensively in the Renmark West CWMS Expansion plan.”

Preliminary estimates indicate the project will cost around $3 million and will be funded through borrowing, with costs recovered over time through developer contributions, ensuring general ratepayers are not burdened.

“This is about backing our community and our future,” Mr Siviour said.

“By investing in essential infrastructure now, Council is helping meet growing housing demand and supporting the next generation of Renmark residents to build their lives right here.

“Premier Peter Malinauskas has recognised the significant need for more housing in South Australia, and it is projects like this that will help achieve those goals.”