Can higher density housing reduce Adelaide's housing costs?

To help inform the public debate on housing, the RGSSA is hosting a public symposium seeking to answer the question "Can higher density housing reduce Adelaide's housing costs?” The symposium brings together an impressive group of professionals representing government, the private sector and academia.

The challenge to provide available and affordable housing in Australia has become a highly contentious topic both politically and within the community. The Australian Government has an ambitious target of building 1.2 million homes over the next five years This plan including through concessional loans to mortgage borrowers, direct payments to States of over $5 billion and a review of government land that may be suitable for future housing. 

The South Australian Government has formulated its blue-print for housing through the SA Housing Roadmap and has been consulting on the “Greater Adelaide Regional Plan”, both of which will shape how our city develops over the coming years. The appropriate style of new housing for Australia and more specifically Adelaide, is a key driver that will impact the supply and affordability of housing. The balance between medium to high density housing versus infill development versus building on greenfield locations will continue to be key policy questions for our community. Housing density has financial and lifestyle implications and remains a controversial issue. 

To help inform the public debate on housing, the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia is inviting you to a public symposium on the afternoon of Friday 12 September 2025 seeking to answer the question "Can higher density housing reduce Adelaide's housing costs.” The symposium brings together an impressive group of professionals representing government, the private sector and academia.

• Opening address - Stephen Hains AM, Presiding Member, SA Urban Renewal Authority
• Setting the scene - Marc Voortman, Executive Director, Department for Housing and Urban Development. The SA Housing Roadmap and the Greater Adelaide regional Plan.
• Private industry - Bruce Djite, Executive Director, Property Council of Australia.
• Futures - Chris Rudd, Manager for Analysis and fore-casting, DHUD. Mapping Adelaide in 3D. Spread of Adelaide under different densities.
• Research - Assoc Professor Damian Madigan, UniSA Creative. Bluefield housing model - densifying inner-suburbs through quality design. Professor Emma Baker, Australian Centre for Housing Research, Forging the new Australian Dream in a post-homeownership nation.
• Synthesis and prospect - Professor Michael Lennon, Chair in Regional Housing, UniSA Business.