What's happening
We're exploring what “home” means in the Adelaide Hills, now and into the future. We'd like to hear from members across our community about housing, life in our towns, and staying connected locally.
Come share your experience and tell us what matters. Register your interest to participate in a workshop, interview, or survey, and share your experience to help shape a Township and Precinct Framework that reflects the needs of our whole community.
Whether you’ve lived in the Hills for decades or recently arrived, your perspective matters; especially if you’ve experienced barriers to finding or maintaining suitable housing.
Participation will directly shape the development of a Township and Precinct Framework through a collaborative process to find out what’s working, what’s not, and what is possible and preferrable for the future of life in the Hills.
We want to understand:
We are especially seeking insights from people whose experiences may not always be well represented in planning processes, to ensure the strategy reflects a broad and inclusive range of perspectives.
Join in
We are looking for community members, business operators and community representatives who are interested in getting involved in the Our Homes in the Hills project. This can be as simple as sharing information about yourself to help with our demographic benchmarking or becoming a member of the project advisory group.
Fill in the form below to express your interest.
FAQs
FAQs
What is this program about?
This program is a new approach to planning for the future of our community. It brings together community experiences, ideas, and priorities to help shape long-term decisions and strategic directions.
Why are you doing this?
We want to make better decisions by involving the community earlier and more meaningfully. This approach ensures that planning is informed by real experiences, not just technical analysis.
How is this different from previous consultations?
This is not a one-off consultation. It’s a multi-stage process where community input:
- Helps define the issues
- Shapes possible solutions
- Contributes to decision-making
We will also clearly show how your input is used at each stage.
What is a Township and Precinct Planning Framework?
It is a strategic planning document that will bring together community experiences, values and ideas into clear, place-based priorities and actions. It will guide how Council actions influence towns and local areas to grow and change over time, reflective of community wants and needs. It won’t approve specific developments, but it will play an important role in shaping place-based decisions.
What decisions will this influence?
This process will inform key strategic planning documents and priorities, including future policies, programs, and investment decisions.
Council remains the formal decision-maker but is committed to transparently showing how community input has influenced outcomes.
How can I get involved?
You can participate in a range of ways, including:
- Online via the Engagement Hub
- Workshops or community sessions
- Community partner-led discussions
- Surveys and interactive activities
Do I need any special knowledge to participate?
No. Your lived experience and perspective are what matter most. We’ll provide clear and accessible information to support participation at every stage.
Can I participate more than once?
Yes. You’re encouraged to stay involved across different phases as the conversation evolves.
What if I can’t attend sessions in person?
There will be multiple ways to participate, including online options. If you need additional support, please contact us. We want participation to be as accessible as possible and can work to meet you where you are.
How are you ensuring diverse voices are included?
We are working with community partners and organisations to connect with people who are often underrepresented, and we are tailoring engagement approaches to different groups.
Will support be provided for accessibility needs?
Yes. This may include:
- Accessible venues
- Translation services
- Alternative formats (easy-read, audio)
Please contact us to discuss your needs by calling 8408 0400 or emailing engage@ahc.sa.gov.au.
What are the different phases of the program?
The program is delivered in four stages:
- Listening to community experiences
- Exploring ideas and possibilities
- Testing and refining options
- Deliberating on final directions
Each phase builds on the previous one.
What happens after each phase?
We will publish a summary of what we heard and explain how that input will shape the next stage.
How long will the process take?
The program will run over several months, allowing enough time for meaningful participation and reflection at each stage.
How will my input be used?
Your input will:
- Help identify priorities
- Shape ideas and options
- Inform recommendations
We will clearly report back on how your contributions influenced decisions.
Will I see the results of what I contributed?
Yes. We will regularly publish updates, including:
- “What We Heard” summaries
- “What We Changed” explanations
- Final outcomes
What if my views aren’t reflected in the final outcome?
All input will be carefully considered alongside other community views, evidence, and practical constraints.
If decisions differ from community preferences, we will explain why.
Who makes the final decisions?
Council is the formal decision-maker. However, this process is designed so that community input plays a central and visible role in shaping those decisions.
How are trade-offs handled?
Some decisions involve balancing competing priorities. In later phases, participants will have the opportunity to explore these trade-offs and contribute to informed decision-making.
How are you ensuring transparency?
We are committed to:
- Sharing clear updates throughout the process
- Publishing summaries of input
- Explaining how decisions were made
How can I trust this process will make a difference?
This process has been specifically designed to ensure community input is:
- Collected early
- Used throughout
- Reported back transparently
We will demonstrate this through regular updates and clear reporting.
Is my feedback anonymous?
You can provide feedback anonymously in most activities. When we report results, individual responses will not be identified.
How will my data be used?
Your information will be used in accordance with privacy laws and Council policies. It will only be used to support this engagement process.
You can contact the project team at:
James Szabo
Manager Region and Place
jszabo@ahc.sa.gov.au
Ask a quesiton
Have a question about Our Homes in the Hills?
Ask your question here and a member of the project team will respond to you. Your question and our response will be public.
To ask a question you must create an account or log in.
These are the people that are listening and responding to your questions.
Our Homes in the Hills Project Team
Staff from various positions across council who are involved in the Our Homes in the Hills project.
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Who's listening?
Manager Region and Place
Strategy Policy and Planner
Community Engagement Coordinator
P: 8408 0400
E: engage@ahc.sa.gov.au
