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# Developer abandons 1,900-home Adelaide estate, state steps in
- URL: https://www.bushletter.com/developer-abandons-1900-home-adelaide-estate-state-steps-in/
- Published: 2026-09-30T03:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-01T01:35:26.000Z
- Description: AVID Property Group has quit the Eyre housing estate near Penfield after building about 750 of the planned 1,900 homes across 16 years. Renewal SA takes control and will find a new private partner, while existing buyers with signed contracts are protected through mid-2027.
- Author: Editor
- Tags: Property, Australia, AVID Property Group

![Gavin O'Malley](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262585/bushletter/authors/gavin-omalley.png)

By **Gavin O'Malley** · 2026-09-29

TLDR

AVID Property Group has quit the Eyre housing estate near Penfield after building about 750 of the planned 1,900 homes across 16 years. Renewal SA takes control and will find a new private partner, while existing buyers with signed contracts are protected through mid-2027.

## What happened and who is affected

If you have a signed contract at Eyre, the date to hold onto is mid-2027\. AVID Property Group, the developer that bought AVJennings, has committed to completing outstanding work on current stages. This includes landscaping and a reserve. The developer will finalise upcoming settlements with existing buyers by that point.[\[1\]](https://renewalsa.sa.gov.au/news/renewal-sa-keeping-eyre-housing-project-on-track?ref=bushletter.com) Acting Housing Minister Michael Brown said: "There's a few hundred contracts ... so those who have signed deals with AVJennings need not be concerned."[\[3\]](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-29/developer-walks-away-from-eyre-housing-project-near-penfield/107206516?ref=bushletter.com)

The roughly 1,150 homes still unbuilt sit in less settled territory. AVID has ended its role in the project. A development deed signed in 2010 expected the delivery of about 1,900 homes on 120 hectares near Penfield in Adelaide's north. About 750 homes, a shopping centre and sporting fields are already completed.[\[1\]](https://renewalsa.sa.gov.au/news/renewal-sa-keeping-eyre-housing-project-on-track?ref=bushletter.com) Renewal SA now assumes control. The agency will seek a new private development partner to deliver the balance of the estate.[\[1\]](https://renewalsa.sa.gov.au/news/renewal-sa-keeping-eyre-housing-project-on-track?ref=bushletter.com)

## What comes next for buyers and the site

Premier Peter Malinauskas was direct about why the government moved. "We don't want to see developers sitting on economic and developable pieces of land," he said. "We're investing in the infrastructure ... they're not delivering the housing hence the outcome we got here today."[\[3\]](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-29/developer-walks-away-from-eyre-housing-project-near-penfield/107206516?ref=bushletter.com) Malinauskas pointed to the state's $500 million Housing Fast-Track Fund. The fund was established in the 2026-27 State Budget to secure and sell strategic land. It speeds up housing supply and is managed by Renewal SA.[\[2\]](https://treasury.sa.gov.au/%5F%5Fdata/assets/pdf%5Ffile/0018/1419030/2026-27-Budget-Measures-Statement.pdf?ref=bushletter.com) This mechanism gives the government room to act.

Renewal SA chief executive Shane Wingard said the agency was confident it could keep the project moving. A long-term strategy is being worked out. "Our team is experienced in facilitating housing delivery in the northern suburbs," Wingard said. "We are confident we can bridge any gaps and maintain momentum on the project while a long-term strategy for the site is determined."[\[1\]](https://renewalsa.sa.gov.au/news/renewal-sa-keeping-eyre-housing-project-on-track?ref=bushletter.com) The Eyre exit puts a number on the pipeline risk. The project involves one developer, one 16-year deed and 120 hectares. When that developer walks, Renewal SA has to step in at short notice. The agency must find a replacement before the remaining 1,150 lots stall entirely.[\[1\]](https://renewalsa.sa.gov.au/news/renewal-sa-keeping-eyre-housing-project-on-track?ref=bushletter.com)

KEY TAKEAWAYS

01AVID Property Group built roughly 750 of 1,900 planned homes before exiting the Eyre estate near Penfield.

02Renewal SA assumes control and will seek a new private partner to complete the remaining lots.

03Several hundred existing contracts will be honoured, with AVID finishing current stages by mid-2027.

04Premier Malinauskas blamed slow delivery, pointing to the state's $500 million Housing Fast-Track Fund.

05The exit exposes the risk to government housing targets when private developers withdraw from large greenfield sites.

SOURCES & CITATIONS

1. [Renewal SA: Keeping Eyre housing project on track](https://renewalsa.sa.gov.au/news/renewal-sa-keeping-eyre-housing-project-on-track?ref=bushletter.com)
2. [2026-27 Budget Measures Statement, SA Treasury](https://treasury.sa.gov.au/%5F%5Fdata/assets/pdf%5Ffile/0018/1419030/2026-27-Budget-Measures-Statement.pdf?ref=bushletter.com)
3. [Developer walks away from Eyre housing project near Penfield](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-29/developer-walks-away-from-eyre-housing-project-near-penfield/107206516?ref=bushletter.com)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are existing Eyre contracts still valid after AVID's exit?

Yes. Acting Housing Minister Michael Brown confirmed that buyers who have signed contracts need not be concerned. AVID has committed to completing current stages and finalising settlements by mid-2027.

Who is managing the Eyre estate now?

Renewal SA has assumed responsibility for the site and will seek a new private development partner to deliver the remaining approximately 1,150 homes.

Why did AVID leave the project?

Premier Malinauskas said the government did not want developers holding developable land without delivering homes, citing slow delivery after 16 years under the development deed. AVID has not issued a detailed public explanation.

![Gavin O'Malley](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262585/bushletter/authors/gavin-omalley.png)

[Gavin O'Malley](https://bushletter.com/author/gavin-omalley/?ref=bushletter.com)

Gavin O'Malley writes about property and housing. He spends his time at auctions and on building sites, and is more interested in what buyers and builders are actually paying than in what the forecasts say.