A major regional infrastructure project set to unlock more than 500 homes in Renmark has taken a significant step forward, with the contract for the works awarded this week.

Renmark Paringa Council has appointed a consortium of contractors to deliver the Renmark West Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS) Expansion, following a highly competitive tender process that attracted strong interest from across the industry.

The contractors carrying out the works include Stoney Pinch Quarry and Earthmoving, Mosel Surveyors, Equipped Civil, Renmark Plumbing and Irrigation, Loft Cranes, Neilly Group Engineering, Riverland Fencing Contractors and CMW Geosciences.

The project remains on track for construction to begin in the coming months and is expected to be complete early 2027.

Mayor Peter Hunter said the contract award represents a major milestone for the project and highlights Council’s role in supporting broader housing priorities.

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

“This project is one part of our broader plans, unlocking land supply and delivering the infrastructure needed to support that growth. It is also about playing our part in addressing the wider housing challenges being seen across South Australia.”

Mayor Peter Hunter said Council has taken strong encouragement from South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis’ focus on increasing housing supply across the state.

“We’ve seen the Premier and Treasurer’s clear push to support more housing across South Australia, particularly in regional communities,” he said.

“This project is one that will significantly help that cause by unlocking land and creating real opportunities for people to live and invest in Renmark.”

The Renmark West area, identified as a key growth zone in Council’s Growth Strategy, has capacity for more than 500 new allotments designed for rural neighbourhood living, with large lifestyle blocks on the fringe of Renmark expected to be in high demand.

Located on the fringe of Renmark, the area is tailored to allotments which are at least 2000m², offering a spacious rural lifestyle that is expected to be highly sought after.

For more than a decade, development in the area has been constrained by wastewater and groundwater limitations.

The CWMS expansion will remove these barriers, enabling sustainable development while protecting the environment and meeting long-term public health standards.

As part of the development framework, developers will be required to undertake standard traffic assessment reports to ensure both construction and long-term traffic impacts are carefully considered and appropriately managed.

These assessments will help inform road network planning, access arrangements and any required upgrades to support the growing community.

Council acknowledges there may be community questions regarding increased traffic during construction and into the future as housing development occurs.

Comprehensive traffic management plans will form a key part of project delivery, ensuring minimal disruption to residents and maintaining safety throughout the construction period.

The project will also involve coordination with public utility providers, with all existing infrastructure and services to be managed respectfully and collaboratively between developers and utility authorities, ensuring continuity of service and protection of existing assets.

The project will be funded through borrowing, as well as through potential grant options, with costs to be recovered over time through developer contributions, ensuring general ratepayers are not burdened.

Residents with compliant systems already in place will be able to continue under their current arrangements while new constructions will require a connection to the new systems.

Renmark Paringa Council Chief Executive Officer Tony Siviour said the strong response to the tender reflects confidence in both the project and the region’s future.

“This is a significant investment in our community and a clear example of how local government can support the State Government’s push for increased housing supply,” Mr Siviour said.

“We’ve seen strong demand for housing in Renmark and this project will help unlock land opportunities to meet that need, while contributing to broader housing outcomes across South Australia.”

The design phase will commence immediately, with detailed planning and engineering work now underway.