Wel.Co has officially commenced construction on the $100M Gracewood residential community in Mallala, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of much-needed housing in regional South Australia.
A sod-turning ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 8th, with South Australia’s Minister for Housing and Urban Development, the Hon. Nick Champion MP, in attendance, alongside Member for Light Tony Piccolo, Member for Frome Penny Pratt and Adelaide Plains Mayor Mark Wasley.
Upon completion, the masterplanned community will be home to approximately 1200 residents with a carefully curated mix of land lots designed to address the growing demand for quality housing amidst the current cost-of-living crisis facing Australians.
Gracewood will also feature a $1.5 million community park with a custom-built playground, fenced dog park, half basketball court, and expansive open spaces. A planned wetland with a 2.5-metre-wide shared path will provide residents with scenic walking and cycling routes, while jacaranda-lined avenues and a proposed early learning centre enhance the estate’s appeal for families.
In a bold demonstration of private enterprise stepping up to solve critical infrastructure barriers, the development will also see Wel.Co fully fund the delivery of a $2M state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant to service the Gracewood community.
With the existing local system at capacity, this innovative solution—delivered in partnership with private utility provider Alano Utilities—has been made possible through proactive collaboration with Adelaide Plains Council. The facility not only unlocks housing supply in the Gracewood development but has been future-proofed to support long-term regional growth.
Once operational, the plant will recycle water for use across the community’s expansive green spaces, setting a new benchmark for sustainable development in South Australia’s regions.
Wel.Co Founder and Managing Director Andrew Welsh said Gracewood is an important step in meeting the region’s growing demand for new housing.
“We are very proud to be the development partner on the Gracewood project, Gracewood represents an incredible opportunity for homebuyers looking to build their dream home in an affordable, well-connected, and thoughtfully designed community.
“Gracewood is designed to offer more than just a home; it’s a lifestyle. For buyers who have been priced out of the market in other areas, Gracewood is an opportunity to achieve the dream of homeownership in a stunning, master planned environment, just a short distance from Adelaide,” said Andrew.
Minister for Housing and Urban Development, the Hon. Nick Champion MP said the Gracewood development is an important step in addressing the housing crisis.
“The only way to address the housing crisis is to increase the supply of new homes, and the Malinauskas Labor Government has been in regular communication with Wel.Co to help them realise their dream for Mallala.
“Gracewood is an example of a development that brings much needed housing supply to a greenfield development in the Greater Adelaide region while fostering a strong, connected community with supporting amenities and infrastructure,” Minister Champion said.
Adelaide Plains Council Mayor Cr Mark Wasley echoed the sentiment, highlighting the positive economic and social impact of the project.
“The Gracewood development at Mallala supports the Governments’ Housing targets and gives young families and old the opportunity to live in a rural area with all the benefits of that lifestyle. Adelaide Plains Councils’ population is growing rapidly, and there are challenges ahead with infrastructure and traffic management, to name a few, however, we get things done; we welcome Wel.Co in their project that has begun and look forward to creating a growing and welcoming township,” said Mayor Wasley.
The sod-turning ceremony signifies the beginning of earthworks on Stages 1 to 4, which will see the first 70 lots ready for titling later this year.
With 102 lots already sold, Gracewood has attracted strong interest from buyers seeking a balance between space, lifestyle, and proximity to Adelaide. Land sizes range from 375m² to 3,489m², with prices starting from $209,500.
Gracewood is anticipated to take approximately 5 years to be fully developed.
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