
MORE than 11,000 people are expected to move to Murray Bridge in the next 25 years - so where can we put them?
The city's council has begun its planning and will seek public comment on a report investigating some of the options in the coming weeks.
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Murray Bridge's south and west are shaping as the likely destination for many of the 5000 new houses - 170 per year - and two new schools that will be needed to accommodate the boom.
In the report, consultants Jensen Planning and Design recommended the areas around Old Swanport Road to the south, Bremer Road to the west and Hume Reserve Road to the north of the city centre be earmarked for future development.
They suggested changing the buffer of native vegetation along the South Eastern Freeway to a rural living zone, with residential lots of one hectare or larger, which could actually help the environment by improving weed control.
Land at White Hill would be rezoned as open space for walking, bike and horse trails; and light industry would be established opposite the wrecker's yard on Maurice Road.
They also suggested the riverfront area around the silos, Round House and Hume Reserve be used for low-density, environmentally sensitive housing.
The report took into account the views of more than 125 land owners from the relevant areas, many of whom were frustrated at being unable to develop their properties.
However, they were generally in favour of retaining the hillsides to the west of Murray Bridge, and the riverfront area near the Round House, in a relatively natural state.
Masons Real Estate sales consultant John Leahy said the population in Murray Bridge had already begun increasing.
"We're getting all different cultures in the town ... it's opening up borders everywhere," Mr Leahy said.
"As long as employment's here, people will come."
He said as Murray Bridge expanded it was moving away from the 'country town' label.
"It will be challenging for the next council, but I'm sure that they'll grasp it with both hands," he said.
"It's a great place to live and it will be a great place in the future."
At the October 20 council meeting, senior policy planner Cherry Getsom advised councillors there was plenty of residential land available - more than 430 hectares - but that 80 per cent of it was tied up with Newbridge (current racecourse site) and Gifford Hill, the new racecourse development.
"Should this development be delayed, or not proceed, then there would be an inadequate amount of land available," she said.
All changes to land zoning will need to go through separate consultation processes.
While the report accounted for an estimated 11,000 extra residents, the council and State Government plans aim to encourage even greater population growth of up to 18,700 people in the next 25 years, which would give Murray Bridge a population of more than 30,000.
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