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July 2025
A message from the Chair of the State Planning Commission - Craig Holden
As some of you may be aware by now, after a distinguished career in government, Sally Smith (MPIA PSM) is leaving the public sector. Sally has been a leader within the Government of South Australia since 2008, and in 2024 she was awarded the Public Service Medal in recognition of her outstanding contribution to advancing the planning profession in our state, and for her exceptional leadership.
Overseeing the introduction of South Australia’s nation-leading Planning and Design Code, the electronic planning system and The Greater Adelaide Regional Plan are among the many achievements Sally will be known and admired for.
Sally has earned the respect of successive governments, state premiers and planning ministers who have all relied on her sage advice and wise counsel. She is a highly committed professional who is much loved by her team, and she leaves having mentored a new generation of highly qualified leaders.
An ex officio member of the State Planning Commission South Australia for eight years, Sally’s guidance and advice was fearless, candid and always held in high regard.
Sally is pursuing a new career with the Property Council SA, and on behalf of the Commission I thank her for her invaluable contribution and wish her every success in her new role.
Message from the Deputy Chief Executive, Department for Housing and Urban Development - Sally Smith
After 26 years working in state government, today marks my last day working at the Department for Housing and Urban Development before I take up a new role at the Property Council of SA.
Working in state planning departments has provided me with some incredible opportunities to be involved in major state projects and in new laws, policy, systems and processes. This has been a privilege, and one I have not taken lightly.
During my career I have been fortunate to work with so many smart, hardworking and innovative public servants, as well as some really great planning ministers and State Planning Commission members. Together, and along with our colleagues outside state government, we created our new planning system in South Australia.
Building the single set of planning rules in a fully digital system is by far the most complex, challenging and rewarding project I have ever been involved in. Of course, we didn’t get everything right (no one does) and since the start of the new system, we have endeavoured to work with our many stakeholders to keep making it better. Thank you to all of you who have provided your time, feedback, ideas and support over the past years. I am proud that the Business Council of Australia has named SA’s planning system as the best in Australia for the past two years – this is a success we all share and should all be proud of.
With the release of the GARP, we have now substantially commenced or completed the statutory instruments under the PDI Act, so the time feels right for a change.
In my new role I hope to have an ongoing and productive relationship with the DHUD team and with our Planning Minister the Honourable Nick Champion. The Minister’s “housing super portfolio” is already having a positive impact on our state and is a testament to his intelligence and his commitment to getting more people into housing near employment, and on land that preserves what we value.
I’m also keen to spend more time with my wonderful son, Angus, who embarks on year 12 in 2026 and my husband Nic, who quite frankly has been both the husband and the wife for a number of years – pulling way more than his share at home for many years, supporting me to deliver at work.
Thank you for your support, great ideas and feedback over the years.
Concordia Code Amendment now open for consultation
The State Government has identified approximately 995 hectares of land at Concordia, near Gawler, to be rezoned to provide more homes for South Australians.
It is anticipated that approximately 10,000 to 12,000 additional homes could be built in the Concordia growth area over the next 30 years, accommodating about 25-30,000 new residents.
A master planned community of this size would include town centres, healthcare, education, major open space, public transport and other infrastructure.
This Code amendment is part of the South Australian Government’s Housing Roadmap and will play an important role in delivering more residential land allotments to market and providing more affordable homes for South Australians.
Learn more about the draft Concordia Code Amendment at an in-person or online information session. For details visit the YourSAy website.
Consultation closes 31 July 2025.
Updates to Practice Direction 2
The State Planning Commission has updated Practice Direction 2 – Preparation and Amendment of Designated Instruments.
Whilst Practice Direction 2 is most commonly used to guide amendments to the Planning and Design Code (the Code), it also applies to the amendment of other statutory instruments including Regional Plans, State Planning Policies and Design Standards.
With the new Greater Adelaide Regional Plan now in effect, the Commission considered it timely to review and update Practice Direction 2 to ensure it effectively supports the process to amend a Regional Plan.
Community Title Land Division Amendment Regulations
Following public consultation in late 2024, the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) (Community Title Land Division) Amendment Regulations 2025 (the Amendment Regulations) have been made and are now in effect.
The changes will give councils legislative power to require security for the construction of a common driveway for community title developments, in circumstances where a driveway is not constructed prior to the issue of a land division certificate.
They were prepared in response to cases where community lots have been sold without suitable access and form part of the State Government’s commitment to ensuring that people purchasing community title properties are adequately protected.
Thank you everyone who provided feedback during consultation, several changes were made to the Amendment Regulations in response to feedback.
Engineering requirements for land division - consultation closing soon
There is still time to provide feedback on proposed engineering requirements for land division, which aim to streamline assessment processes and enable more houses to be built faster across South Australia’s growth areas. Consultation closes at midnight on Tuesday 15 July.
Design standards are a new planning instrument that support the Planning and Design Code by promoting good design in our streets, parks and other public places, help manage the interface between public and private realms and contribute to delivering high-quality infrastructure as part of new developments.
This engineering design standard is set to be the first design standard adopted under the new South Australian planning system, which was adopted in March 2021.
Update to the Metropolitan Development Activity Tracker
The Metropolitan Development Activity Tracker (DAT) is an online tool which shows, in 3D, new major infill developments that are approved, commenced or recently constructed across designated urban corridor and strategic infill areas.
In recent months, the DAT has undergone a significant update and now includes more detailed modelling (previously only available for the City of Adelaide) as well as tree canopy cover for key areas being monitored.
A new and improved user interface is also planned for launch soon.
Farewell Lee Webb
It’s not only Sally Smith who leaves DHUD this month. Lee Webb has worked in the Department’s impact assessment team for 30 years, during which time he built an incredible amount of knowledge and skill.
Lee has decided to take on a new opportunity as Assistant Director in the Environment Assessments Branch of the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). We thank him for his service and camaraderie, and wish him all the best.
