Murray Bridge set to become South Australia’s largest regional city
Murray Bridge is a community on the cusp of significant growth. We are one of the fastest growing areas in SA and set to become South Australia’s largest regional city.
Council is actively preparing for this growth in partnership with Government and key stakeholders, with the goal of ensuring well planned and connected communities. We want to support our communities to have access to the services, opportunities and benefits that a growing community brings.
The announcement of Gifford Hill, an 1860-hectare development led by the Costa Property Group and Grange Development, is projected to bring 17,100 new homes. It will be the largest single development in South Australia since the 1950s. Along with other substantial new residential developments underway across our communities, this growth will strengthen Murray Bridge as a thriving regional city and the heart of the Murraylands.
Murray Bridge currently has 1.1 jobs for every person in or wanting a job. As the centre for agriculture, agri-business and innovation, along with being a key logistics and transport hub; Murray Bridge is prime for further growth of these industries on surrounding employment lands. This will provide even more job opportunities for the growing community.
Murray Bridge is a place where people can live well and thrive in an environment where jobs, education, affordable housing and a great, river lifestyle are accessible to all.
Under the State Government’s plan for Greater Adelaide, Murray Bridge will grow to become a true second city providing local jobs, services and amenities along with affordable housing. Industry and developers are backing this push and are already investing in our communities.
The Murray Bridge Structure Plan projects that the population will grow to 39,416 people by 2041.

Preparing for Growth - Future City Program
Our community has clearly told us it wants well planned growth. We are driving the planning for the physical and social infrastructure and facilities needed for our growing communities.
Council’s recently endorsed Murray Bridge Structure Plan identifies the essential land, services and infrastructure necessary to support the expanding population. This includes areas for future housing land supply, employment lands, commercial and retail, and recreation, community and tourism development.
The Structure Plan is a key feature of Council’s Future City Program, a strategic initiative that puts in place the framework to manage and sustain growth. It includes evidence based planning tools, planning code requirements, open space considerations, funding mechanisms and implementation of the Structure Plan.
Council is clear that infrastructure and services must be prioritised and well timed for delivery, along with the development of an integrated Community Wellbeing Plan for our current and future communities.
We are working in close partnership with the State Government to ensure community infrastructure and wellbeing responsibilities are clear and delivered.
In 2024/25 the Future City Program will pursue key strategic planning priorities and put in place the framework to sustain growth through:
- Implementation of the Murray Bridge Structure Plan including a proposed code amendment for industry growth and development.
- Preparation of an Open Space Masterplan.
- Commencing investigations for Township Masterplans.
- Preparing responses to Government led Code Amendments and Strategic documents such as Regional Plans.
- Responding to any privately funded/led Code Amendments.
- Involvement with the development of the Community Infrastructure Model 2.0, an evidence-based tool to support Council, Government and the private sector in planning for growth.
- Partnering with SA Government departments to progress Infrastructure Schemes.
You can find the Murray Bridge Structure Plan here

Grange Development and Costa Property Group to deliver South Australia’s Second City, Gifford Hill in Murray Bridge
Shirley Costa's family office, Costa Property Group, has joined forces once more with Grange Development to acquire 909 hectares of an 1,860-hectare, state significant precinct at Gifford Hill, in Murray Bridge South Australia, that is set to become the largest single development in the state’s history.
View the full media releases here:
Rural City of Murray Bridge - Media Release
Grange Development and Costa Property Group - Media Release
For more information on the development visit:
Make it Yours – video docuseries
This video docu-series shares the stories of our growing, thriving and strong community and businesses across our regional city.
To view the docuseries visit
FAQ's
Growth brings vibrancy with new residents creating diverse neighbourhoods.
Critical mass brings a greater level of government services including hospitals and health services.
It means a boost for local business with a larger customer base, a chance to live in modern, well-designed communities and access to new services, facilities and green, open space for everyone to access.
There will be more local employment, new industries and business and more education options.
Council is focused on ensuring there is something for everyone in our growing communities, including a lively mix of social and cultural offerings, business and housing.
Critical mass brings a greater of Government services including hospitals, education and health services.
Council is clear that services must be prioritised and well timed for delivery, along with the development of an integrated Community Wellbeing Plan for our current and future communities.
We are working in close partnership with the State Government to ensure community wellbeing responsibilities are clear and delivered.
The Community Infrastructure Model will enable Council, Government and developers to plan and deliver well timed infrastructure that includes sport, recreation and community facilities.
We are partnering and advocating with Governments and service providers to meet the current and future needs of our communities.
Council will continue to be flexible and adjust our own approach to service delivery to ensure we’re meeting the needs of our growing communities.
We are already in a strong position with 1.1 local jobs for every resident already working or seeking work.
Murray Bridge is the centre for Agriculture, agri-business and innovation, along with being a key logistics and transport hub – these industries are prime for more growth on surrounding employment lands which will provide even more job opportunities for the growing community.
Growth and critical mass will bring new local job opportunities and the development of new industries.
We are supporting our community to be job ready with the Murraylands Skills Centre and Murray River Study Hub to continue to grow.
Council is pursuing the right mix of services, education and training opportunities to support our community to live well.
We are experiencing a steady pace of growth that will accelerate as land is rezoned and infrastructure agreements are in place.
Murray Bridge already has the supporting infrastructure in place for current and recently approved developments.
The rezoning of the residential growth areas will occur when mechanisms are in place for infrastructure to be delivered in a timely manner.
The Community Infrastructure Model is a forward planning tool that identifies the timing of required infrastructure enabling Council, government and private developers to plan and deliver well timed future infrastructure.
We are partnering with SA Government departments to advance Infrastructure Schemes for timely funding of infrastructure in new growth areas.
To support well planned growth, Council has several priorities over the next 12 months.
We will work on a Stormwater Management Plan for Murray Bridge to provide clear visibility of the stormwater requirements for any future developments.
We will develop an Open Space Masterplan to provide a long-term vision for how our green and open spaces are protected and enhanced and help meet community needs as the area grows and changes.
We will update the Community Infrastructure Model to enable Council, government and developers to plan and deliver well timed infrastructure that includes sport, recreation and community facilities.
We will start planning for a Multi-Sport Complex and Regional Stadium.