May 2026

A message from the Chair of the State Planning Commission - Craig Holden

Our priorities focus on planning for growth and change, leading on planning and building policy, and delivering a nation leading planning and building system.

In collaboration with the team at DHUD we are continuing to:

• monitor our population projections and land supply
• implement recommendations from the Expert Panel
• improve pathways for housing diversity and affordability
• support strategic infill improvements including addressing the “missing middle”
• ensure our policies respond to a changing climate
• undertake targeted policy improvements to realise system efficiencies, deliver projects associated with the government’s housing roadmap
• prepare important design standards for public realm and infrastructure.

The work plan also includes issues of particular interest to the community including interface management for both greenfield and metropolitan development, tourism development, heritage, tree protection and character and preservation districts.

We are also working with our colleagues in local government to develop Local Area Plans to meet the housing targets set out in the seven new regional plans. These plans will allow councils to identify where housing, employment, recreation and open spaces are appropriately located in their council area whilst addressing the infrastructure and community assets needed.

Message from the Executive Director Planning and Building – Marc Voortman

A number of significant location‑based and renewal initiatives have also been finalised, including the Sellicks Beach Growth Area Joint Amendment, Playford Alive East final policy, the Smithfield Regeneration Code Amendment and the Seaton Code Amendment. Collectively, these decisions provide clearer direction for growth, renewal and infrastructure delivery. Further detail is outlined in this edition.

Our work continues on several significant code amendments planned for 2026. These include, the City Building Heights Code Amendment, Statewide Flood Hazard Code Amendment, and the Kudla Growth Area and Northern Park Lands Joint Amendment.

We will also be working on Housing and Neighbourhoods and Strategic Infill Improvements (expected to result in two Code Amendments with these names), as well as progressing the Commission’s Interface Management, Tourism Development and Tree Protection and Planting Code Amendments.

I’d like to take a moment to formally acknowledge recent leadership changes within the Department that followed last year’s restructure of our Planning and Building division. The restructure was undertaken to better align our leadership with evolving priorities, particularly housing delivery, growth management and the implementation of regional plans.

As part of these changes, an additional Director role focusing on growth planning was established. Brett Steiner transitioned into the role of Director of Growth Planning, bringing his extensive experience from leading the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan and all Country Regional Plans. Following a recruitment process, Jason Bailey was appointed Director of Strategic Planning. Many of you will already know Jason, whose strong understanding of the planning system and collaborative leadership style continue to be a great asset.

Brett and Jason work closely with the broader Planning and Building leadership team, alongside Jodie Evans (Director Building), Andy Humphries (Director Development) and Ameya Sawant (Director PlanSA). Together, this team is well positioned to support the Department’s priorities as we continue delivering for South Australia.

We will also be welcoming a number of new Managers across the division following the conclusion of recent recruitment processes, I look forward to advising of these appointments soon.

State-Wide Flood Hazard Code Amendment consultation

The State Planning Commission is seeking feedback on the draft State-Wide Flood Hazard Code Amendment to update flood hazard mapping and planning rules across the state, based on new and updated flood studies and modelling.

It aims to guide how development should address flood risk and be designed to keep people and property safe from floods. 

The proposed changes focus on three aspects:

• more consistent and updated mapping: using the latest flood studies and data to update flood hazard overlay mapping, based on more contemporary standards and modelling, and applying the three flood hazard overlays more consistently across the state
• improved planning rules: introducing definitions and enhanced policies to make development assessments clearer and more consistent, and to align with national guidance 
• faster process for future mapping updates: enabling a streamlined process to update flood hazard overlay mapping in the future as more contemporary flood studies and data become available.

For more information about the draft code amendment, online and in-person information sessions and how to have your say, visit the YourSAy or PlanSA website. Consultation closes 13 August 2026. 

Engineering requirements for land division update

The State Planning Commission has prepared the final draft engineering design standard for land division, which aims to streamline assessment processes and enable more houses to be built faster across South Australia’s growth areas and was released for public feedback in April.

The draft Design Standard 1 – Engineering Requirements for Land Division provides technical guidance and builds on existing planning rules to deliver more transparent and consistent design standards, construction specifications and infrastructure costs for land division.

The draft engineering design standard applies to land division for large residential developments in Master Planned Zones, including constructing a public road or infrastructure that will become council property and specifies requirements for:

• road and pavement design
• stormwater design
• stormwater quality
• earthworks
• service infrastructure
• street landscaping, including trees.

Consultation closed on 21 May and all feedback is now being carefully considered in finalising the draft design standard, technical manual, standard drawings and associated changes to the regulations and Practice Direction 12 – Conditions. 

This is the second stage of consultation, following a comprehensive review of the initial draft engineering design standard, technical manual and standard drawing released for consultation in May 2025.

A greener, growing future for Adelaide’s north

Adelaide’s north is set for an exciting transformation, with plans underway to create thousands of new homes and one of South Australia’s largest new parklands.

Work is currently underway to rezone land in the Kudla Growth Area, paving the way for around 16,000 new homes. This will help more South Australians find a place to live, while also supporting new jobs, schools, shops and community facilities.

But it’s not just about new homes. The Northern Park Lands will be a major new green space for everyone to enjoy. Stretching up to 1,000 hectares and connecting the Hills Face to the Gawler River via Karbeethan Reserve and along the Gawler and South Para Rivers, the Northern Park Lands will link neighbourhoods, protect local wildlife, and provide places for sport, play, walking, cycling and relaxing in nature. Over time, the Northern Park Lands will become a destination for families, visitors and future generations, helping to keep Adelaide’s north healthy, green and vibrant.

Southwark Grounds Code Amendment approved

The Southwark Grounds Code Amendment has been approved by the Minister for Planning, increasing the number of homes that can be delivered at the former West End Brewery site on Port Road.

The code amendment will raise maximum building heights from 8 levels to 14 levels on the eastern section and to 12 levels across the remainder of the site.

Community feedback during consultation generally supported increasing building heights to enable more housing in a location close to the city and key services.

The development will include a mix of housing supported by local services, including retail, hospitality, a childcare centre and public open space. The first homes are expected to be completed later this year.

The engagement report is now available on the PlanSA portal.

Southern Barossa Winery and Tourist Accommodation Project

The Minister for Planning has approved the Southern Barossa Winery and Tourist Accommodation Project development, subject to reserved matters and conditions that must be met before construction can begin.

Public consultation on the project’s Environmental Impact Statement was undertaken between 5 November and 17 December 2025. A total of 237 submissions were received and considered as part of the assessment process.

Feedback received during consultation was summarised in the What We Heard report and addressed through the proponent’s response document.

The Minister’s decision, CE Assessment Report and supporting documentation are available on the PlanSA portal.

This concludes the impact assessed process, with the proponent now required to address the relevant reserve matters and conditions of approval prior to the commencement of construction.

Recent planning decisions

Several key planning decisions have recently been finalised, strengthening certainty for communities, councils and industry and supporting well‑planned growth across South Australia.

• Six new country regional plans are now available on the Regional Planning Portal, bringing all current regional plans together in one place and setting a long‑term direction for land use and growth across regional South Australia.
• The Assessment Improvements Code Amendment has been adopted, delivering targeted technical improvements that respond to user feedback and support recommendations from the Planning System Implementation Review.
• The Concordia Basic Infrastructure Scheme has been adopted, outlining how key infrastructure will be planned, funded and delivered alongside development in the Concordia growth area.
• The Sellicks Beach Growth Area Joint Amendment enables the staged delivery of a new master‑planned community, supporting new housing, open space and supporting infrastructure.
• Final policy for Playford Alive East provides certainty to guide development and support ongoing renewal outcomes in the precinct.
• The Smithfield Regeneration Code Amendment establishes a clear planning framework for future growth and renewal, informed by consultation and refined building height and site‑specific policy changes.
• The Seaton Code Amendment has been adopted, rezoning approximately 39 hectares to support Renewal SA’s urban renewal project and enable around 1,450 new medium‑to‑high density homes, including townhouses and apartments.

New factsheet explains public notification

A new public notification factsheet is available to help the community better understand how they can get involved when a proposed development may affect them.

The factsheet explains the public notification process and how development decisions are made. It describes the types of developments that require notification and the different ways communities may be informed, such as signage, direct mail, and online or newspaper notices.

It also outlines how members of the community can participate by submitting a representation during the notification period.

Public notification plays an important role in the planning system by giving people the opportunity to formally support or oppose certain developments at the application stage. Community input is a key part of decision-making and helps ensure feedback is considered when assessing proposals.

Editorial update to practice directions

The Commission has recently completed editorial updates to several practice directions. The updated versions are available on the PlanSA portal and include changes to the following practice directions:

• 3: Notification of Performance Assessed Development Applications
• 4: Restricted Development
• 5: Appointment of Additional Members to an Assessment Panel
• 6: Scheme to Avoid Conflicting Regimens
• 13: Notification of Crown and Essential Infrastructure Development Applications
• 16: Urban Tree Canopy Off-set Scheme
• 18: Outline Consent

Currently, 19 practice directions are published on the PlanSA portal. These have been developed progressively since the introduction of our new planning system. The Commission’s goal is to ensure the entire suite remains consistent, contemporary, and easy to navigate.

What’s changed?

The updates were editorial only—the intent of each practice direction remains unchanged. Adjustments focused on:

• standardising titles across all documents
• formatting and numbering conventions
• updating references to the latest legislation
• refining version control summaries
• adding hyperlinks to related planning instruments on the PlanSA portal.

The remaining 12 practice directions were not part of this review, as they have already been updated or will be revised through other projects.

Assessment pathway for aged care facilities

Aged care developments sponsored by a state agency are now formally recognised as essential infrastructure under planning regulations, reflecting their critical role in community wellbeing.

The regulations establish the Crown Development and Essential Infrastructure assessment pathway for aged care development, meaning the Minister for Planning is the decision-maker and the assessment is not bound by the Planning and Design Code.

As defined in the general regulations, to be considered essential infrastructure an ‘aged care facility’ must provide supported accommodation for older people and includes a retirement village that is co-located with an aged care facility.

It is likely that state-sponsored aged care facilities would be sponsored by the Department for Health and Wellbeing.

For more information, view the fact sheets on:

• new policy and assessment pathways for retirement and aged care facilities
• regulation updates regarding aged care facilities

A dedicated aged care case management service (including a voluntary design review service) has been established within the Department for Housing and Urban Development to provide advice to the aged care sector on policy changes and appropriate assessment pathways, helping proponents navigate the planning system with greater confidence and clarity.

Improving building inspection policies

The State Planning Commission released a discussion paper on inspection policies as part of its ongoing review of Practice Directions 8 and 9 under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. 

The Department sought feedback on the discussion paper, particularly from councils and the building industry, to help inform future updates to practice directions aimed at improving building safety and aligning with national best practice.  

The consultation provided opportunity for councils and the building industry to contribute insights on how practice directions can better support better quality building inspections.  

Consultation on the discussion paper ran from 5 December 2025 to 19 February 2026, with information sessions and workshops held for council and industry in December, late January and February. The Department is now reviewing the feedback received before progressing recommendations back to the State Planning Commission.  

Further information about the review is available through YourSAy or PlanSA.   

Family day care exemption regulations

Recently, the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Family Day Care Exemption) Regulations 2025 came into effect. 

The Government of South Australia made this change at the request of the Department for Education due to the differing approaches across councils regarding whether a development application is required for a family day care in a residence. 

Given the rigorous approval and assessment processes already required by the Education Standards Board, this amendment to the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017 clarifies that no development application is required for change in land use for this low impact activity.

The Family Day Care Exemption Regulations reduce duplication of government assessments by removing residential family day cares from the planning process, leaving this to the regulatory framework under the the Education and Early Childhood Services (Registration and Standards) Act 2011.  

Complying change fee update

On 18 December 2025 new fees which apply to complying changes were gazetted in the Ministerial Fees Notice. The fees cover lodgement, consultation, consideration and implementation of the complying changes and are outlined in following new fact sheet:

• Fact Sheet - Complying changes to the Planning and Design Code