No images? Click here October 2021 Message from the Chair of the State Planning CommissionWelcome to the October edition of Planning Ahead. I am pleased to share the release of the first annual Performance Indicators Scheme (Scheme) report for the 2020-21 financial year. As a single data source, the Scheme captures and presents data associated with all applications within the planning system and plays a significant role in both monitoring and identifying opportunities for system improvements. In addition to providing crucial insights into emerging planning and development trends across the state, it is also the first real snapshot on the performance of the planning system to date and pleasingly demonstrates some real improvement is being delivered. I encourage everyone to read the report. As summer approaches, fire safety protocols and checks is a priority for all South Australians. In October, the Building Fire Safety Committee for out-of-council areas (Committee) will travel to the northern/north western parts of the state to commence an investigative review of fire safety levels of buildings in South Australia's out-of-council areas. The Committee plays an important role in protecting the safety of everyone that visit, live in and use buildings; and in order to fulfil its responsibilities in undertaking delegated building-related fire safety investigation functions, it's important that building owners work collaboratively with the Committee to help ensure the ongoing safety of building occupiers and users, and safety levels and items are operating optimally and consistently maintained. Finally, to ensure planning policy reflects contemporary regional issues, the Commission is meeting with each of the Pt Augusta and Whyalla Councils to better understand the key issues facing these Councils. Whilst in the region the Commission will also view a range of alternative energy sites along with other key regional infrastructure recently approved and/or constructed. Regards Helen Dyer Message from the Executive Director, Team PLUSWhile Planning and Land Use Services is usually associated with overseeing planning and development across our state; we are also responsible for ensuring policies uphold sustainable land use practices to ensure a balance in the areas of housing, business and recreational needs of our state. A recent example of our work in the land use space is the introduction of temporary changes to the planning rules to speed up the development application process to support South Australia's primary industries bumper harvest season this year. Under the new regulations, farmers and bulk handlers will not need planning consent to set-up temporary accommodation for seasonal workers in designated regional areas where amenity is managed and building rules are still needed to ensure occupants’ safety. Our work ties in with the efforts of other government departments' and agencies' in supporting our primary industries to fill in the seasonal worker shortage and help ensure our state's crops are harvested. During September the planning system received over 4026 development application submissions, with over 2870 approved/granted - generating an estimated $905 million in development costs. You can view a snapshot of the system's performance on the PlanSA portal. Refinements to the Planning and Design Code (Code) continues with 19 code amendments currently approved for initiation. The Port Bonython and Local Design Review Code amendments recently concluded public consultation and will now progress to submissions being reviewed. Feedback received will inform respective recommendations as part of the code amendment process as well as the respective engagement reports – which will, when released, be made available on the PlanSA portal. The Mount Compass Golf Course Estate and Riverbank Precinct code amendments will conclude public consultation on 22 October and 27 October respectively. I encourage everyone to have their say, your feedback helps us ensure the Code continues to uphold the best interests of our State. Sally Smith Kangaroo Island desalination plant: public submissions invitedExisting Penneshaw Desalination Plant State agency developments, such as schools, hospitals and other civic infrastructure, are assessed by the State Planning Commission and determined by the Minister for Planning and Local Government under s.131 of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. Such projects deliver improved facilities and public services across South Australia, and support the continued social and economic growth of local communities through new investment. Recently, SA Water has proposed the construction of a 2 megalitre per day / 0.73 gigalitre per year desalination plant at Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. This $65m development seeks to strengthen the resilience and capacity of the existing water supply network, both to support future growth and to improve water quality. The new facility would operate in conjunction with the existing desalination plant at Penneshaw and the Middle River Reservoir, and provide additional supply to support future bushfire resilience. The plant is to be established on vacant road reserve at Hog Bay Road, Kangaroo Head and Desal Drive, Penneshaw. Part of the development is also within the existing Desalination Plant site at Penneshaw, with new intake and outlet pipes to be installed in the adjacent coastal waters. The Commission has referred the application to the Coast Protection Board, Environment Protection Authority, Native Vegetation Council, Commissioner of Highways and the Kangaroo Island Council for their advice and feedback. Public submissions on the development proposal can also be made until 29 October 2021. Temporary accommodation for seasonal workersNew regulations have been introduced to allow temporary accommodation for seasonal workers. The new regulation variation categorises the accommodation as accepted development, and only applies to sites designated and published by the Chief Executive of the Attorney-General’s Department on the PlanSA portal. This will ensure sufficient accommodation is available in regional areas during the upcoming grain harvest and address the lack of accommodation within the regions due to COVID-related border closures. The regulation changes came into effect on 23 September 2021 and will expire on 30 April 2022. Guildhouse appoints State Government Architect to their boardGuildhouse, South Australia’s peak body for visual arts, craftspeople and designers has appointed State Government Architect and Director of the Office for Design and Architecture SA, Kirsteen Mackay as one of three new appointees to their board. Kirsteen is joined by Talia Begley, Director JL Lawyers; and artist and designer Christian Hall – and will focus on supporting Guildhouse to further build the connectivity and profile of South Australian artists and help grow the social enterprise – Guildhouse Professional Services. PlanSA: trending topics and resourcesOur PlanSA Service Desk are busy fielding calls and providing helpful resources to assist with better understanding and use of the planning system. Here are this month’s top 3 trending topics. System Performance: Inaugural Performance Indicators Scheme Report releasedThe State Planning Commission has released its inaugural Performance Indicators Scheme Annual Report for 2020-21. The report details the performance of South Australia’s planning system since March 2021 when the new state-wide planning system came into full effect. The report is based on data sourced from the Development Application Processing system and enables comparisons with the planning system’s performance over time. Learn more about the Scheme, and read the 2020-21 Report. Time to have your say on the Mount Compass Golf Course Estate Code AmendmentSouth Australians are encouraged to have their say about proposed changes to planning policy that will help protect the future viability of Mount Compass’ 18-hole golf course and ensure any future development is in keeping with the character of the area. On 28 September more than 60 members of the community attended two information sessions held at the Mount Compass Memorial Hall. People who attended expressed an interest to learn more about the proposed zoning, how it would help protect the long-term viability of the golf course and what it would mean for future housing in the area. The amendment proposes to rezone the Neighbourhood Zone and the Recreation Zone within the affected area to the Golf Course Estate Zone (located on the south-western fringe of Mount Compass) and includes approximately 150 residential allotments/dwellings in addition to the existing golf course and clubrooms. Public consultation on the Mount Compass Golf Estate Code Amendment will close at 5:00 pm, Friday 22 October 2021. Have your say on the future of the Riverbank PrecinctSince consultation began on the Riverbank Precinct Code Amendment, a number of concerns have been raised about the type of development that will be allowed on the Riverbank if the Amendment is approved by the Minister. In light of community concerns and to help address the misconceptions and clarify the Amendment’s intent, we have updated our Code Amendment FAQ – now available on the PlanSA portal. The Riverbank Precinct Code Amendment is open for public comment until 5.00 pm, Wednesday 27 October 2021. Public information sessions are being held in the Adelaide CBD from 12 – 13 October 2021. Bookings are essential and can be made via Eventbrite. Community members are encouraged to register and attend. We also encourage anyone who is concerned, or supportive, of the changes to make a submission via the PlanSA portal. Review the key features of the proposed amendment and have your say. Project update: Flood Hazard Mapping and assessment projectPreparation of Flood Mapping Products, funded by the $3 million COVID-19 stimulus grant, has commenced as part of the Flood Hazard Mapping project. Nine new flood studies are going to be prepared with the approved suppliers being announced in the coming weeks alongside 25 existing flood studies, which will be enhanced to meet current requirements including the impact of climate change to 2050. The project will also deliver new LiDAR (light detection and ranging) for some areas outside of metropolitan Adelaide. All mapping products are due for completion in June 2022 with data being made available to all relevant Councils. In association with the mapping project, two Code Amendments will occur. A ‘Flooding Hazards Mapping Update Code Amendment’ is proposed in late 2021 / early 2022 to update the existing mapping in the nine Council areas and will review the application of the ‘evidence required’ flood overlay in the Planning and Design Code for seven Council areas and Outback areas of the State. The mapping products will then be delivered through a second state-wide ‘Flooding Hazards Code Amendment’ in late 2022, which will provide for revised policy. This will not only benefit land use planning, but provide important information for emergency service planning and infrastructure planning. |