June 2021

Message from the Chair of the State Planning Commission

We have made good progress on the inaugural review of SA’s Environment and Food Production Area (EFPA) boundaries. On 4 June, the Commission released its Statement of Position and EFPA Review Report and commenced eight weeks of public consultation, which will conclude on 30 July 2021, 5.00 pm.

The Commission has concluded that Greater Adelaide has a sufficient land supply to support housing and employment growth over the next 15 years.  This conclusion is supported by the Land Supply Reports — released by AGD-PLUS early last week — which form the evidence base for the EFPA Review, and include a detailed analysis of residential and employment land supply within the Greater Adelaide Planning Region.

As we now enter stage two of the review process, we will focus on addressing variations to EFPA boundaries that are recognised as anomalies and/or trivial (minor) in nature.

The public consultation process presents all South Australians with the opportunity to review the findings from our investigation by accessing the reports and findings, attend community information sessions and have their say by making a submission to help sustainably plan for South Australia’s future development and growth. On close of consultation, the Commission will consider all submissions and release an EFPA Review Findings Report later in the year, which will outline the outcomes of the review.

Last month, I had the opportunity to share my thoughts on positive performance planning systems at the PIA Planning Festival. This was a most interesting session and demonstrated the need for planners to be clear about the role of Deemed-to-Satisfy criteria versus performance policy.

In closing, a very happy 50 year anniversary to the national Australian Height Datum! The AHD has been a benchmark for height requirements across all sectors of planning and development and continues to evolve as newer technologies are introduced to surveying and mapping across Australia.

Regards

Helen Dyer
Chair, State Planning Commission

Message from the Executive Director

In addition, fortnightly upgrades to the ePlanning system have seen improvements to the editing function, document management and document visibility, the ability to charge fees for accredited professionals, removing repetitive data entry during planning and building consents.

These system improvements will increase customer usability and decrease processing times. The PlanSA team is actively engaging with working groups and end users to ensure any improvements are considered fit for purpose. We really appreciate the feedback we have received and the time people have given us to work together on these improvements.

In alignment with the Commission’s review of the Environment and Food Production Area (EFPA) boundaries, the AGD-PLUS Strategic Planning team were instrumental in releasing the four Land Supply Reports that formed the evidence base for the Commission's findings of adequate provision of land in Greater Adelaide to accommodate housing and employment growth over the next 15 years.  

These reports are a key component of the ongoing Growth Management Program and were developed through 2020, and then updated and finalised over recent months, including analysis of the significant impacts of COVID-19. A special thanks to the team for the incredible efforts in putting these reports together. We are looking forward to the next Census in a few months’ time (August) and a set of new baseline data being available from the ABS from March 2022.

Some of the other great work our teams have achieved in the past few months, include the efforts of the Office for Design and Architecture SA’s in supporting the Minister for Planning delivering $22.3 million in grant funding to local government under the Open Space and Places for People Grant Program; and in the assessment team’s work in helping to secure approvals to rebuild Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island.

Some of the other major projects we’re working on include, the proposed electricity interconnector between SA and NSW. AGD-PLUS facilitated two public information sessions in the first week of June, which was supported by Electranet’s online interactive engagement room that provides details on all aspects of the project.

These achievements are a result of dedicated and committed work by our teams, and show the diversity of the work we do in PLUS.  

Looking forward, the State Commission Assessment Panel will shortly consider the test rocket launch facility at Whaler’s Way, which will help inform the Environment Impact Statement for the major rocket launching facility, which will undergo public consultation later in the year.

Sally Smith
Executive Director, Team PLUS

Have your say on South Australia's Environment and Food Production Areas Review

On 4 June 2021, the State Planning Commission released its Statement of Position and Review Report as part of its statutory review of the State’s Environment and Food Production Areas (EFPA) and commenced eight weeks of public consultation until Friday 30 July 2021.

South Australians can have their say by accessing the Commission’s report before making a submission to vary the EFPA boundaries for their respective area/land. As part of the consultation process, a series of community information sessions are being held to inform people about the EFPA review and how it is relevant to them.

To support the consultation process, the Commission has released a guide and online submission form to step people through the process of submitting a request to vary EFPA boundaries.

Following the close of consultation, the Commission will consider the submissions and prepare a report for the Minister for Planning and Local Government, outlining the outcomes of its review and the Commission’s recommendations for variances to the EFPA.

All South Australians are encouraged to have their say and learn more about the EFPA Review.

Site contamination in the planning system

In a South Australian first, the assessment of site contamination will be standardised across the State through a new legislative framework.

The new assessment provisions are designed to manage risks posed by known or potential site contamination, so that land can be developed and used safely.

Its framework relies on the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017, Planning and Design Code and Practice Direction 14: Site Contamination Assessment 2021 working together.

Resources are available on the PlanSA portal to guide applicants, relevant authorities, site contamination professionals and planning consultants through the new system.

EPA and PLUS staff will continue to deliver face-to-face and online training sessions, with future sessions to be announced.

For further information about the assessment of site contamination, please contact the EPA on (08) 8204 9075 or epa.planning@sa.gov.au. The EPA is also keen to receive feedback from users about their experiences to help inform a future review of the assessment framework.

Climate Smart Regional Plans

Image: Port Lincoln workshop held on 4 June

Planning and Land Use Services (AGD-PLUS), with funding from the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, is overseeing project work towards the Preparation of Climate Change Content for the new generation of Regional Plans. 

The project is a starting point for collaboration and discussions between State Government, councils and local regional representatives on key strategic goals for integrated land use, transport, infrastructure and public areas for the next 15-30 years. 

It will deliver potential climate change content for the ‘next generation’ of Regional Plans, as well as identify risks and opportunities. 

URPS Planning Consultancy is undertaking this work with 3 regional workshops completed in Naracoorte, Mannum, Port Lincoln with a fourth session scheduled to be held in Clare on 9 June 2021. At the workshops, representatives from the regions reviewed the work to date and participated in a ‘first-pass’ assessment of identified key issues and characteristics for the regions, from a climate change perspective.

This work aligns with a number of State Planning Policies (SPP) – in particular, SPP5: Climate Change to ‘Provide for development that is climate ready so that our economy, communities and environment will be resilient to climate change impacts’.

It also reflects AGD-PLUS’s steps towards achieving one of a number of key actions in the SA Climate Change Action Plan 21-25 to ‘embed strategic climate impact assessment into Regional Plans’.

$22.3 million available for Open Space and Places for People Grants

Image: The City of Charles Sturt have been successful in receiving a grant for the Military Road and Main Street Precinct project in the 2020-21 Grant Program.

The State Government is investing $22.3 million in local council projects under the Open Space and Places for People Grant Program.

Local government and organisations representing out-of-council areas can apply for funding each year for projects including new walking trails, playgrounds and recreation hubs. The Grant Program is supported by the Planning and Development Fund.

As with previous years, the 2020-21 grant round required council to match or exceed the request for funding, resulting in a combined $57.5 million commitment by State Government, local councils and other partners, to improve access to high-quality open space for South Australians.

A total of 27 projects will be delivered across 21 council areas, focusing on recreational, social and wellbeing outcomes for communities and strengthening the conservation and enjoyment of our natural environment.

The 2020-21 round was particularly popular, with 43 councils applying for funding. For further information about the Grant Program, please contact the Office for Design and Architecture SA at OpenSpace@sa.gov.au or visit the PlanSA portal.

New appointment in the State Planning Commission

Rebecca replaces Dennis Mutton, SCAP’s current Deputy Presiding Member, whose term expired on 31 May 2021. Dennis has been a valued member of the SCAP panel since its inception, as well as serving for several years on the Development Assessment Commission (DAC).

The Commission welcomes Rebecca and thanks Dennis for his significant contribution to SCAP and DAC since 2015.

For further details please read the State Planning Commission’s media release.

Recent State Commission Assessment Panel Activities

In the 12 months from 1 June 2020 to 31 May 2021, the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) resolved:

• to grant, or concur with council to grant, development plan consent to 34 development applications
• to defer consideration of 5 development applications
• to refuse planning consent to 5 development applications.

In addition, the SCAP considered:

• 9 Crown development applications and subsequently provided advice to the Minister in confidence
• variations to 2 Major development applications and endorsed the variations in both circumstances.

Acting on behalf of the SCAP, the Planning and Land Use Services Division also assessed 945 development applications in the same 12 month period, including 197 Crown development applications. 

Planning and Land Use Services has also been providing support to Kangaroo Island and Coober Pedy Council. In total, PLUS has granted consent to 41 development applications for Kangaroo Island Council, and 10 development applications for Coober Pedy Council. 
 

South Australia - New South Wales electricity interconnector

Planning and Land Use Services (AGD-PLUS) has held two public information sessions in The Riverland, on Project Connect – the proposed electricity interconnector between New South Wales and South Australia.

Construction of a high voltage transmission line between Robertstown in South Australia and the New South Wales border en route to Wagga Wagga via Buronga was approved on May 31 by the Australian Energy Regulator.

An Environmental Impact Statement is available for public comment until Friday 25 June 2021.

A free copy of the full EIS document is available on the PlanSA portal. Free USB copies of the full EIS document along with a hard copy of the Executive Summary are available from the following locations:

• Attorney-General’s Department, Planning and Land Use Services, Level 5, 50 Flinders Street, Adelaide
• Regional Council of Goyder, 1 Market Square, Burra
• Mid Murray Council, Morgan and Districts Community Hub, Cnr Fourth and Eighth Streets, Morgan
• Berri Barmera Council, 19 Wilson Street, Berri
• District Council of Loxton Waikerie, 35 Bookpurnong Terrace, Loxton
• Renmark Paringa Council, 61 Eighteenth Street, Renmark.

Electranet has also set up an online interactive engagement room which details all aspects of Project Connect.

PlanSA: trending topics and resources

The new planning system continues to keep our PlanSA Service Desk busy fielding calls and providing helpful resources. This month we have a new trending topic:

Update contact details for an application contact – when updates are needed, and help with how to update contacts.

Meanwhile, the following continue to be popular enquiry topics:

1. Submitting an Application – secure approvals for a proposed development by submitting a development application and track the applications progress online.
    
2. Sharing Applications – (a) Sharing access to an application – Access to applications can be shared with nominated contacts to provide specific input or carry out pre-determined actions as part of the application process; (b) Taking control of a shared application – applicants can email listed contacts on a development application with instructions on how to take control of an application submitted by the applicant.
    
3. Uploading documents – users can successfully upload documents to the relevant sections within the system quickly and easily throughout the development application process.

For more resources on specific tasks or actions related to the planning system, please visit the Support Library on the PlanSA portal.

The Local Government Professionals Australia SA 20th Annual Leadership Excellence Awards

In May 2021, the Co-Housing for Ageing Well Project won the Community Partnerships and Collaboration category of the  Local Government Professionals Australia SA Leadership Excellence Awards Program.

Lead by the City of Unley, the project identifies innovative and flexible housing options. It focuses on the redevelopment of existing housing (to maintain street character), but also allows increased density through the use of smart design principles that cater to the needs of older people.

50 years ‘on the level’

2021 marks the 50-year anniversary of the national Australian Height Datum (AHD) – commonly known as above sea level.

The Datum is used as a benchmark for height requirements in planning, development, infrastructure, construction, mapping and climate change.

Established in 1971, the AHD defined a datum which enabled people to compare differences in height throughout the country. It was based on the mean sea level of 30 tide gauges around Australia and the measurement of differences in height across Australia over the previous 25 years.

The attached diagram shows where survey crews traversed approximately 175,000 km.

While it remains the legal datum for surveying and mapping throughout Australia, newer technologies have uncovered some biases and distortions. This has led to the introduction of an alternative datum based on a surface of equal gravity (the Australian Vertical Working Surface).

Image: The 30 tide gauges used as zero height points for the AHD (numbered black circles); levelling traverses forming the “basic levelling” (black lines); levelling traverses forming the “supplementary levelling” (gray lines). (W.E. Featherstone and M.S. Filmer 2012)