Around 170 apartments and 16 townhouses will be unlocked in Adelaide's inner south as the state government rezones land on King William Road in Unley.

The Minister for Planning has now approved the King William Road North Code Amendment, rezoning around 1.4 hectares of land across nine allotments. It combines three separate business and employment related zones into one consistent Urban Neighbourhood Zone, supporting higher-density, mixed-use development.

The state government will cap building heights of seven storeys with a 30-degree building envelope stepping development down towards neighbouring homes on the eastern boundary. Any application for heights above seven storeys will be considered restricted development.

This approach strikes the balance between the need for more housing in the city’s inner south for young families and downsizers, while protecting the charm and character that makes King William Road special.

Eligible first homebuyers and downsizers won’t have to pay stamp duty after the state  government scrapped the tax on new builds for first homebuyers and for downsizers aged 60 and over buying a smaller new or off-the-plan home worth up to $2 million.

This outcome is result of the extensive public consultation the Code Amendment underwent, which led to a balanced position on building heights and better protections for neighbours.

The site is located on the northern corner of King William Road and Mary Street and currently accommodates a mix of unrelated uses, including the City of Unley Works Depot, commercial premises and two detached dwellings.

The proponent plans to deliver a mix of apartments and townhouses, along with a new retail space that will complement the existing King William Road high street.

Rezoning the site is in line with the state government’s policy to build up in well-serviced locations close to the CBD, creating more housing choice while preserving in suburban streets.

The land is serviced by nearby bus and tram services and the Charles Walk walking and cycling path running along its northern boundary.

A Concept Plan will be introduced into the Planning and Design Code to guide future development, covering access points and internal roadway layout, public open space, pedestrian and cyclist linkages.

Traffic impacts were considered through expert investigations informing the Code Amendment, while existing protections for regulated and significant trees will continue to apply, with tree retention and open space to be assessed in detail at the development application stage.

Any future development on the site will be subject to separate development applications, assessed by the City of Unley or the State Planning Commission.