Gracewood Breaks Ground on Hope-Filled Housing Vision

In a boost for affordable housing and sustainable development in South Australia, leading developer Wel.Co has officially broken ground on its highly anticipated Gracewood masterplanned community. Nestled in Mallala, just 60km north of Adelaide, this $100 million project is set to deliver not just homes, but a thriving and inclusive neighbourhood with people, purpose and the planet at its heart.

Spanning 40 hectares, the Gracewood development will eventually be home to 1,200 residents, with 500 land lots on offer. But it’s not just about numbers—it’s about creating a place people are proud to call home. The masterplan incorporates a suite of community-minded features, including a central park complete with a children’s playground, dog park, half basketball court and open green spaces to encourage connection, recreation and wellbeing.

At the heart of the development is a commitment to both affordability and sustainability—two pillars that are increasingly top of mind for families and first-home buyers. With housing affordability continuing to challenge many Australians, Wel.Co founder Andrew Welsh said Gracewood presents a rare opportunity.

“For buyers who have been priced out of the market in other areas, Gracewood is an opportunity to achieve homeownership in a masterplanned environment, a short distance from Adelaide,” Welsh explained.

The early interest from buyers has been strong, with civil works underway for the first four stages and titles on the first 70 lots due this year. The entire project is expected to take five years to complete.

But it’s not just people that stand to benefit. Wel.Co is investing $2 million into a standalone wastewater treatment plant, to be delivered by Alano Utilities in partnership with the Adelaide Plains Council. This state-of-the-art facility will allow the community to manage its wastewater independently from the existing council system—an innovation that not only supports future growth but also underpins the community’s commitment to sustainability.

The plant will recycle water for use across the community’s expansive green spaces, helping ensure lush, welcoming parklands for residents while reducing environmental impact. In addition to this, a further $1.5 million is being spent on amenities that include a 2.5m-wide shared cycling and walking track winding through a scenic wetland, as well as an early learning centre to cater for young families.

Gracewood is the latest addition to Wel.Co’s growing national portfolio, which includes successful developments like Mambourin in Victoria, River Breeze in Queensland and The Dunes in Western Australia. As with those projects, Gracewood is being built with longevity, lifestyle and local character in mind—an approach that’s already winning favour across the state.

For the construction industry, this marks yet another strong signal of momentum in South Australia’s residential sector. With more masterplanned communities prioritising both affordability and sustainable infrastructure, the demand for skilled trades and project professionals is only set to grow.

Gracewood stands as a beacon of what’s possible when developers combine smart planning with social responsibility—a future-focused development that delivers on value, livability and long-term community benefit.