December 2021

Message from the Chair of the State Planning Commission

This included developing policy to raise the bar on infill development, and finalising the framework and procedures required to amend the Planning and Design Code.

In progressing key components of the Growth Management Program, we oversaw the release of the Land Supply Reports, which serve as guideposts for current and projected growth in Greater Adelaide. This ties in to our work on the regional planning program and working closely with Local Government to oversee regional growth and development.

Another important milestone is the completion of the inaugural 5-yearly review of the state’s Environment and Food Production Areas, with the proposed boundary variations to be implemented in 2022. I applaud the efforts of the teams involved for ensuring our state’s food producing and rural areas continue to be protected well into the future.

We are committed to ensuring that the planning system remains responsive to climate change and have already implemented a range of important environment and climate related policies including the introduction of State Planning Policy 5 on Climate Change – the highest level of planning policy in the planning system that addresses South Australia’s key strategic priorities.

The Commission has now turned its attention to implementing several new climate related projects to further improve climate related policies in the Code; these include the Bushfire Hazards Code Amendment and the Flood Hazard Mapping project.

Looking ahead, we intend to build further on the foundations of the work we have achieved this year and I look forward to sharing more details as they come to fruition.

My best wishes for a joyful Christmas and New Year.

Craig Holden
Chair, State Planning Commission

Message from the Executive Director, Team PLUS

To date, 22 Code Amendments have been initiated, led by the State Planning Commission, councils, government agencies and/or private proponents. Of these 11 have completed consultation and four have been approved; namely—Port Bonython Code Amendment, Buckland Park Suburban Activity Centre Code Amendment, Glynde Code Amendment, and the Plympton Code Amendment.

This year we made 213 enhancements to the development application processing system, processing over 37,789 applications (with 21,599 receiving development approval) – generating an estimated $8 billion in development costs.

I’m happy to share that our industry partners and communities have actively engaged and provided significant feedback in guiding our state’s planning policy. The amendment process is an ongoing strategic priority and will ensure the Code remains aligned with state-wide economic growth, underpinned by our state’s enhanced liveability.

Another key achievement was being able to swiftly respond to the state-wide lockdown and implement variations to planning regulations that helped supermarkets and other retailers to keep their supply chains open – as well as ensuring time periods for development applications requiring public notification were not impacted by the lockdown.

Looking ahead, we will focus on progressing our projects in flood mapping assessment and bushfire risk modelling, which will deliver greater certainty and consistency in development assessment, emergency management and response, and regional planning.

This ties in with our work toward achieving a number of key actions in the SA Climate Change Action Plan 21-25. This year, our project—Preparation of Climate Change Content for the new generation of Regional Plans—helped us to identify key strategic goals in close collaboration with councils and local regional representatives for integrated land use, transport, infrastructure and public areas for the next 15-30 years.

We intend to deliver potential climate change frameworks for the 'next generation' of Regional Plans, as well as identify and address risks and future opportunities in delivering development that is resilient to climate change impacts.

As we wind down to a much deserved break and to prepare ourselves for 2022, I’d like to thank you all for your invaluable support and input, which has greatly informed our work. I look forward to sharing and working toward our strategic goals and priorities next year in collaboration with all of you.

I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Sally Smith
Executive Director, Planning and Land Use Services

PLUS bids farewell to Michael Burdett and Anita Allen

PLUS-AGD bids farewell to senior executives - Michael Burdett, South Australia's 22nd Surveyor-General and Director of Land and Built Environment, and Anita Allen, Director of Planning and Development.

Michael, who announced his retirement in September this year, has built an exceptional career with more than 30 years in state government; nine of which he spent with PLUS.

Michael's achievements include leading the teams responsible for the introduction of South Australian Integrated Land Information System (SAILIS), which provides up-to-date information about land and property in SA; the transition of Land Services from state government to Land Services SA, the introduction of the Geocentric Datum of Australia 2020, steering the Building team through the challenging issues the Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP) cladding audit, the introduction of the Digital Plan Lodgement for Surveyors, and the development of the South Australian Property and Planning Atlas (SAPPA) as an integral part of PlanSA.

After 17 years with the state government, Anita will take up a new role with a private planning consultancy in 2022. Anita leaves a lasting planning legacy having been responsible for leading the staged implementation of the new Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 and importantly working with councils and industry on the transition process.

Over the last few years, Anita has driven the implementation of South Australia’s new planning system, including the establishment of State Planning Policies, a new assessment framework, Accredited Professionals Scheme, the Planning and Design Code and implementation of PlanSA, Australia's first digital ePlanning system.

Anita’s invaluable skills in strategic planning, statutory policy, development assessment, Code Amendments and case management of major development projects will be greatly missed across PLUS.

We wish both Michael and Anita our very best for their respective next chapters.

Planning system’s performance update

This month, the planning system received over 4180 development application submissions, of which over 3260 applications were granted approval. A total of $1.06 billion was generated in development costs for lodged applications*. 

View a visual snapshot of the top five performance indicators of South Australia’s planning system.

*Development costs are calculated on lodged applications as fees are not payable until they are verified and lodged.

First four Code Amendments approved 

The first four Code Amendments initiated under the new Code have now been approved, marking a major milestone in the Code’s history since being fully implemented in March 2021. 

The Code Amendments are:

• Port Bonython – supporting renewable energy development at Port Bonython
• 19-29 Glynburn Road, Glynde – supporting retail development in Glynde
• Buckland Park Suburban Activity Centre – supporting residential development in Buckland Park
• 65-73 Mooringe Avenue, Plympton – supporting residential development in Plympton

From lodgement to approval, these four Code Amendments have all been finalised within 8 to 16 months - a significant improvement on the old system, which had an average time of 2 to 3 years to undertake a rezoning.

The Code Amendment process provides businesses, councils and the government the pathway to effect change to the Code while ensuring all proposals are thoroughly assessed before any changes to zoning or policy can be implemented.

Learn more about the Code Amendment process and view the amendments in progress.

Preliminary work in determining the border lines began in November 1920 – concrete pillars to support astronomical observing instruments were erected to help prepare for the field work held in 1921.

A high order, open vernier theodolite—made by Troughton and Simms of London—was used to make the observations. This geodetic instrument is now proudly displayed in the Surveyor-General’s office. All of the field work, coupled with the use of wireless time signals, allowed for the precise determination of the border.

This foundational work paved the way for the marking of the border by government surveyor Clive Hambridge with the construction of the Deakin Obelisk at the true border position. Modern observations have determined that the location is within 50 metres of the true 129th east meridian, a commendable feat given the technology available in the early 1920s. Clive Hambridge went on to become the twelfth Surveyor-General of South Australia, between 1937 and 1950.

Learn more

PlanSA: trending topics and resources

Our 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:

1.       How to find information on the Code Amendment process

2.       How  to find information and developments happening in your area
          You can subscribe to notifications using the ‘Subscribe to be notified’ button -
          located above the search fields.

3.       How to apply for your next consent in the development application process

Project update: Flood Hazard Mapping and Assessment

The Minister for Planning and Local Government has approved the preparation of a Code Amendment to update the existing mapping in nine council areas and review the application of the 'Flooding - Evidence Required Overlay' in the Planning and Design Code in seven council areas and the outback areas of the state.

This Code Amendment will be the first of two amendments and is expected to go out to consultation in the first quarter of 2022. The second amendment will be a state-wide ‘Flooding Hazards Code Amendment’ and focus on revised policy in late 2022.

Most of the 15 councils involved in the project have provided their latest flood plain modelling to update the Flood Hazard Overlays in the Code to enable easier and quicker access to their data in the assessment of development applications.

New flood studies that will eventually provide mapping for the second state-wide amendment have commenced in the following areas:

• Burnside Council (1st to 3rd Creek catchment)
• Charles Sturt, Prospect and Port Adelaide Enfield Councils (Barker Inlet catchment)
• Playford and Gawler Councils (Smith Creek catchment)
• Clare Valley and Gilbert Valley Councils (Auburn township)
• Mitcham Council (Sturt River urban catchment, McLaren Street catchment, Brownhill Keswick Creek urban catchment)
• Port Lincoln Council (Port Lincoln)
• Unley Council (Unley Council Area)
• Naracoorte Lucindale Council (Naracoorte township and surrounds)

Learn more

State Planning Commission completes first review of Environment and Food Production Areas

The Commission has released its Report for the inaugural review of the state’s Environment and Food Production Areas (EFPA).

The review was undertaken in two stages with the first stage involving an analysis of land supply in Greater Adelaide, which found that there is an adequate provision of land to accommodate housing and employment growth in Greater Adelaide over the next 15 years.

A total of 90 submissions were received during the consultation period, with 30 of these being heard at a public hearing conducted by the Commission in September 2021.

Given the limited scope of the relevant tests in the legislation to vary boundaries (“that the variation is trivial in nature and will address a recognised anomaly”) the Commission endorsed 23 boundary variations and/or minor technical corrections and administrative updates to boundaries.

The proposed boundary variations will be implemented in 2022. The next five-year Review is due in 2027.

Read the report and learn more about the EFPA. 

Changes to Planning Level 1 - Conditional Accreditation

From 1 February 2022, Planning Level 1 – Conditional Accreditation will no longer be available under the Accredited Professionals Scheme (the Scheme).

New applicants wishing to hold Planning Level 1 accreditation will be required to demonstrate peer reviewed compliance with the Level 1 core competencies prior to being eligible to hold accreditation as a Planning Level 1 Assessment Manager.

Please note, this does not apply to accredited professionals who currently hold Planning Level 1 - Conditional Accreditation. 

Accredited professionals with any questions about their accreditation or this update can contact the Accredited Professionals Scheme Coordinator on 1800 752 664 (and select option 2) or email DIT.APSQueries@sa.gov.au.

PlanSA commended for Technology and Digital Innovation

AGD-PLUS proudly accepted a commendation at the 2021 Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) Annual Awards in the category of Technology and Digital Innovation for designing and deploying South Australia’s ePlanning platform.

Congratulations to our Planning and Development, and Land and Built Environment teams on being recognised for their incredible work in achieving such a significant milestone for our state’s planning and development history!