Playford Alive has capped off a record-breaking 2025, with hundreds of blocks snapped up as demand for affordable family living in Adelaide’s northern suburbs continues to surge.
About 360 land contracts were exchanged at the Renewal SA-led precinct last year, around 8% more than 2024’s previous record, helped by a major eastern expansion earlier in the year.
Recent commentary points to Adelaide as one of the country’s more affordable capitals set to outperform in 2026, with lower‑priced outer suburbs and growth corridors attracting both first‑home buyers and investors as affordability pressures push demand further north and south of the CBD.
Building on that momentum, Renewal SA will release 200 residential allotments over summer – the biggest number it has ever brought to market in such a short period. The land will be spread across three separate releases within the Wattle Precinct in Playford Alive’s eastern precinct.
The first 75 blocks went on sale in December, with sizes up to 662m² and prices starting from $222,500. Another 60 are expected to be released this month, with a third release to follow in February.
Peter Gatsios (pictured), Renewal SA executive director of residential project delivery and assets, said the project’s ongoing popularity had exceeded expectations.
“We are continually enthused by the growing level of demand in the area that shows no sign of slowing,” Gatsios said in a media release.
Gatsios said much of the demand is being driven by younger buyers seeking attainable prices and a mix of housing options.
“We’re seeing more young singles and families choosing the northern suburbs for affordable housing that offers a range of types and sizes," he said. “Greater land availability means people can achieve suburban homeownership, in many cases on blocks that support family-sized homes and larger backyards.”
Gatsios said the growing community is also underpinning more local amenities, pointing to the Regional Sports Complex next to Mark Oliphant College, and improved connections via projects such as the North–South Corridor.
“And with improved accessibility through Adelaide, like the North-South Corridor, Playford Alive is a perfect blend of convenience and affordability,” he said.
For 24-year-old Metricon employee Alec Nguyen, the latest releases presented a chance to move from renting to ownership in a suburb he has watched grow for years.
Nguyen recently bought a block in Playford Alive’s eastern precinct, where Metricon will build his three-bedroom, two-bathroom home.
“Growing up, I’ve always seen Munno Para being developed into an estate,” Nguyen said. “When I first started to look for the best way to enter the market, Playford Alive made it amazingly achievable with land prices.”
Nguyen said he researched his options and used his status as a young single to secure an affordable allotment, while also tapping the state government’s shared equity scheme through HomeStart.
“Watching Munno Para change, and now to be one of the residents, is an amazing experience,” he said.
The expanded eastern precinct spans 71 hectares and will accommodate about 1,480 homes, with around 30% meeting state government affordability targets.
Playford Alive East is expected to support an average of 590 full-time equivalent jobs annually and contribute about $570 million to Gross State Product over the development period.
More broadly, Playford Alive is one of Australia’s largest urban renewal projects. Led by Renewal SA in partnership with the South Australian Housing Trust and the City of Playford, it is expected to be home to more than 43,000 people by completion in the 2030s.
Since launching in 2008, the project has delivered thousands of homes across more than 1,000 hectares, along with schools, a medical centre, railway station, wetlands, parklands and a $250 million town centre.
Affordable allotments in the precinct are also made available through the state government’s HomeSeeker SA platform, currently capped at $232,650, alongside shared equity options via HomeStart for eligible buyers.
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