October 2022

Message from the Chair of the State Planning Commission

Along with the garden guide the Commission also released two reports relating to urban greening and tree regulations. These reports are the next step in our Open Spaces and Tree Project and provide the Commission with detailed data and evidence to help inform planning policy and any potential changes to tree regulation.

An independent Arborist Review undertaken by Dr Dean Nicolle contains a detailed analysis of tree species exemptions, and a separate research report undertaken by the Environmental Institute of the University of Adelaide - ‘Urban Tree Protection in Australia’ - analyses SA tree protections as compared to other Australian states and territories. You can access both reports on the Commission’s website.

The Commission also co-hosted an industry roundtable with Green Adelaide which was focused on progressing an urban greening strategy for metropolitan Adelaide. With another hot summer predicated this year, the need to green our suburbs could not be more pressing and I would like to thank everyone who participated in and contributed to the roundtable.

Craig Holden
Chair, State Planning Commission

Message from the Executive Director, Team PLUS

Congratulations also to PLUS team members Rhiannon Hardy and Nadia Gencarelli on their nomination for the award. Rhiannon and Nadia are two women who, with intelligence, dedication and skill are shaping the future of planning in South Australia. Their work on the planning reform program over the last few years, in particular, has been outstanding.

The ‘Women in Planning’ breakfast was a great opportunity to pause, reflect and celebrate the notable achievement of women in the planning profession, and the wider workforce. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) women made up almost half the paid workforce in Australia in 2020-2021, which is impressive given that it was at only 30% in 1966.

However, there is still a lack of representation of women and diversity on Assessment Panels. As it stands, women make up approximately 30% of Assessment Panels across South Australia, with the average age of panel members being between 59 and 68. PLUS has been in discussion with the Planning Institute of Australia to see how we can support more women and young people to be involved in panels. Please get in contact if you would like to be part of this by emailing us via PlanSA@sa.gov.au.

Sally Smith
Executive Director, Planning and Land Use Services

Rebecca Thomas, Rhiannon Hardy and Nadia Gencarelli

Adelaide Garden Guide for New Homes 

The guide includes:

• lists of the top 10 most appropriate small, medium, and large tree options that can be planted in a small home garden
• 3D visualisations and checklists to achieve home greening success
• case studies of common infill housing types including how to meet the mandatory Planning and Design Code tree planting and landscaping policies
• examples of different landscape garden palettes and small garden designs.

Industry roundtable on an urban greening strategy for metro Adelaide 

In September, Green Adelaide and the State Planning Commission hosted an industry roundtable to progress an urban greening strategy for metropolitan Adelaide.

Leaders from the development industry shared their perspectives and practical ideas for how we can meet the urban green cover targets set out in the 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, with a particular focus on areas identified as being most vulnerable to heat.

The event sparked wide-ranging conversation and new ideas on how we can work together to protect and enhance Adelaide's mature trees, green spaces and urban biodiversity.

Urban greening is critical work. Thank you to Green Adelaide and everyone who contributed to the session. You can read more about the urban greening strategy for Adelaide on the Green Adelaide website.

New edition of the National Construction Code 2022

This month the Australian Building Codes Board published a new edition of the National Construction Code (NCC 2022). Building Ministers have agreed that the NCC 2022 will have a national adoption date of 1 May 2023, subject to transitional arrangements for some provisions.

The Australian Building Codes Board have published the new edition and further information on its website.

The more stringent residential energy efficiency provisions that are introduced by NCC 2022 mean new homes will need to achieve a minimum 7-star rating (increased from 6 out of 10 NatHERS equivalent) and conform to an annual energy use budget.

Energy efficiency, condensation mitigation and livable housing provisions are among the more significant changes to the NCC. Noting pressures experienced in recent times by the building industry, Building Ministers considered transitional arrangements for these requirements and have agreed that these provisions will commence nationally on 1 October 2023.

While the main NCC provisions are intended to be adopted on 1 May 2023 in South Australia, the transitional timeframes related to Energy Efficiency and Livable Housing are subject to a final decision by the state government.

Visit the PlanSA Building Code webpage page to be kept up to date on NCC 2022 adoption matters.

Temporary accommodation for seasonal workers

Regulations have been made to fast-track the establishment of seasonal workers' accommodation in designated areas across regional South Australia. These regulations have been made to encourage local and interstate workers to participate as casual workers in the upcoming harvest season by providing more accommodation close to the harvest sites.

The regulations remove the requirement to obtain planning consent in specified locations (building consent must still be obtained) thereby allowing temporary accommodation to be established much more quickly.

The regulations were made after the State Government was advised by Viterra, a major grain bulk handling facility operator, that they require the establishment of temporary seasonal worker accommodation to support casual workers during the upcoming grain harvest.

The change to planning regulations, which came into effect on Thursday 29 September 2022, already applies to specific locations in Rudall, Pinnaroo, Witera, Port Giles, Kimba, Wolseley, Bowmans and Snowtown.

Find out more on the PlanSA portal.

RDSA Annual Summit focuses in on workforce and housing 

Earlier this month representatives from the State Planning Commission and PLUS attended Regional Development South Australia’s (RDSA) Annual Summit in Murray Bridge.

The focus for the 2022 Summit was regional workforce and housing – two topics which will play a critical role in the current Regional Planning Program.

The Summit included presentations and panel discussions with members of government, industry and community members who presented case studies from across regional SA which considered solutions for the future of housing and workforces.

Opening with an address from Clare Scriven, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development and Minster for Forestry Industries, other speakers included Chris Menz (Renewal SA), Renee Hindmarsh (SA Skills Commissioner) and Mark Glazbrook (Migration Solutions) as well as State Planning Commission Chair Craig Holden.

This year’s summit provided PLUS staff with valuable information and connections that will be pivotal in the preparation and delivery of the six country regional plans in 2023.

Appointment to the Stormwater Management Authority

Congratulations to PLUS Director of Growth Management Paul Bennett who has been appointed by the Deputy Premier to the Stormwater Management Authority (SMA) under the Local Government Act 1999.

The SMA acts as a stormwater planning and prioritisation body for South Australia and promotes the development of integrated Stormwater Management Plans (SMPs) by local government. As part of this it administers a Stormwater Management Fund to assist local government with the costs of stormwater management planning and stormwater infrastructure. In his role with the SMA Paul will play an important role in progressing stormwater management outcomes for South Australia.