June 2024

Message from the Chair of the State Planning Commission

There’s still time to share your thoughts. To get involved, explore the plan via our innovative Regional Planning Portal and then head over to the YourSAy website to contribute your ideas and be part of the regional planning process.

The government has recently released new planning regulations to protect a greater number of trees as we strive to implement Australia’s best practice tree protections.  This builds on the work of the Commission and earlier recommendations made to government on greater tree protections.

The changes will safeguard large, mature trees from destruction and help keep Adelaide’s urban tree canopy safe. Evidence shows that mature trees increase community wellbeing, support biodiversity and reduce the urban heat effect. These benefits affect everyone in the community, and that’s why we’ve ensured that the planning regulations have taken immediate effect.

The Minister has also requested that the Commission undertake further investigations to support the tree planning regulations, including the creation of a new design standard and the amendment of planning rules. You can view our Open Spaces and Trees Project and the new rules to protect Adelaide’s tree canopy coming into immediate effect. 

Finally, I’d like to highlight Green Adelaide’s draft Urban Greening Strategy, which is now open for consultation.

Urban temperatures are predicted to increase, so it’s even more important that we grow a healthy and diverse urban forest to ensure that Adelaide stays liveable and cool. Metropolitan Adelaide has almost 17% tree canopy cover, but this isn’t evenly distributed across the suburbs.

The strategy aims to protect and enhance greenery in metropolitan Adelaide through legislation, policy, capacity-building and coordination.

If you’re interested in urban greening, I encourage you to can contribute your thoughts to Green Adelaide’s draft Urban Greening Strategy until 28 June.

Craig Holden
Chair, State Planning Commission

Message from the Executive Director, Team PLUS

If any of our current works interests you, I encourage you to take the time to review the projects and submit your thoughts via survey or a written submission.

Projects that are currently awaiting your feedback include:

• Real property regulations consultation: The draft regulations remake the expiring Real Property Regulations 2009 and include several proposed regulation changes. Have your say by 3 June.
• Tintinara Airfield code amendment: Changes to the planning rules are proposed to allow up to six homes with private aircraft hangars to be built within Tintinara Airfield. Have your say by 5 June.
• Community Engagement Charter update: We’ve proposed improvements to the charter, which guides public participation in preparing and amending designated planning policies, strategies, and schemes. Have your say by 6 June.
• Enabling SA’s planning future: We’ve proposed an amendment to State Planning Policy 1 in order to address our state’s shortage of urban and regional planners. Have your say by 6 June.

Additionally, Craig has already mentioned the Kangaroo Island Regional Plan and draft Urban Greening Strategy consultations in his update above. I’d like to echo his encouragement – if you are passionate about regional planning or keeping Adelaide green, please take the time to provide your feedback on these important projects, too.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sally Smith
Executive Director, Planning and Land Use Services

New rules to protect Adelaide’s tree canopy

The South Australian government is taking immediate action to better protect Adelaide’s urban tree canopy.

New planning regulations have been introduced to protect a greater number of trees, delivering on the government’s commitment to implement Australia’s best practice tree protections.

Taking immediate effect, the new regulations will protect trees with a smaller trunk circumference and reduce exemptions for tree protections based on distance from a home or pool.

The new regulations will also better protect the tree canopy by placing pruning limits on regulated and significant trees, and provide flexibility to adapt the exempt species list to local needs and community views.

Fees for destroying or removing protected trees will also increase, better reflecting the cost of tree replacement.

These changes were guided by State Planning Commission advice, based on University of Adelaide research, and recommendations from the Expert Panel reviewing South Australia’s planning system.

The Environment, Resources and Development Committee of Parliament has been asked for advice on further tree protections based on canopy size and tree height, as well as further changes to the exempt species list as part of finalising their Inquiry into the Urban Forest.

Existing development applications and approvals will have 12 months to be actioned before being impacted by these changes.

For further information read our frequently asked questions or visit the PlanSA website.

Kangaroo Island Regional Plan consultation closes 6 June

The Kangaroo Island Regional Plan consultation is closing soon, and we want to make sure your voice is heard.

We recently had the pleasure of hosting face-to-face community events in American River, Parndana, Penneshaw, and Kingscote, where we had many engaging conversations with members from KI’s vibrant community. The passion and input shown during these events have been invaluable in helping shaping the future regional plan.

The Kangaroo Island Regional Plan outlines a bold vision for the next 30 years, addressing key priorities like sustainable growth, economic prosperity, and community well-being. From preserving our pristine environment to supporting diverse housing options and beefing up transport infrastructure, the regional plan aims to shape a resilient and prosperous future for Kangaroo Island.

Your feedback is crucial in guiding the strategic direction for the region. Whether you're a long-time resident, a business owner, or a visitor who cherishes the beauty of Kangaroo Island, we want to hear from you.

Visit the YourSAy website to learn more and share your thoughts before the engagement period closes on June 6, 2024.

Have your say on updating the Community Engagement Charter

Share your feedback on proposed improvements to the Community Engagement Charter and have your say on how stakeholders and community are involved in key planning decisions across the state.

The Community Engagement Charter guides public participation in preparing and amending designated planning policies, strategies and schemes.

It was established in 2018 as part of South Australia’s new planning system to help build community trust and confidence in the planning system by providing an engagement framework that is robust and adaptable.

The proposed changes, which follow the Commission's inaugural 5-year review aim to:

• ensure engagement is inclusive and respectful for all South Australians
• streamline delivering changes to planning rules such as rezoning land, where the community has had an opportunity to give their views and influence the decision as part of the regional planning process
• better reflect that the Community Engagement Charter is now a well-established part of the South Australian planning system and the mandatory engagement requirements outlined in the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016.

For more information about proposed changes to the Community Engagement Charter and submit your feedback, visit the YourSAy website.

Enabling SA’s planning future: proposed amendment to State Planning Policy 1

Good planning is essential to South Australia's future, and the planners who shape our communities perform a vital role.

There is currently a national shortage of urban and regional planners, highlighted in the Planning Institute of Australia’s Planners in Australia: State of the Profession Report and in the Federal Government’s Skills Priority List.

This planning skills shortage is a critical concern for the state. South Australia needs qualified planning professionals so that we can deal with challenges like housing affordability, population growth, and the transition to a net-zero emissions future.

To address this problem, the Commission has proposed an amendment to State Planning Policy 1: Integrated Planning (SPP1) that states:

Provide an effective, efficient and enabling planning system that is well resourced with qualified professionals to support development, investment and good planning outcomes.

The proposed amendment addresses the long-term resourcing and provision of skills required to service our planning system and aims to support and enhance SA’s future planning capabilities.

Increasing SA’s planning capabilities will assist in delivering National Cabinet’s new national target to build 1.2 million new well‑located homes over 5 years. It will also lead to better and faster decision making on development proposals or implementing critical initiatives such as rezoning land for housing or employment.

PlanSA has more information on the proposed amendment. Visit the YourSAy website to provide feedback.

Real Property Regulations consultation closes
3 June

The South Australian Government is seeking feedback on draft Real Property Regulations 2024.

The draft regulations have been prepared to remake the Real Property Regulations 2009, due to expire on 1 September 2024.

The draft Real Property Regulations 2024 include a number of proposed regulation changes, including:

• clarifying that it is not possible to register the transfer of a portion of a registered lease
• requiring all land division plans lodged in the Lands Titles Registry Office to be certified by a surveyor
• expanding the circumstances where a legal practitioner or registered conveyancer can execute an instrument on behalf of their client without a Client Authorisation
• removing exemptions for certain classes of instruments, which have now been electronically enabled
• clarifying that there are two different reference documents for verification of identity requirements – one for each of paper and electronic lodgements
• providing details of the information that must accompany an application for caveat
• removing ambiguity regarding the Plan Presentation Guidelines.

Work to update the Real Property Act 1886 is also underway, which includes enabling land division documents to be lodged electronically. Feedback will be sought on these changes soon.

Feedback on the draft regulations can be provided by emailing DTI.RegistrarGeneral@sa.gov.au by 3 June 2024.

Visit the PlanSA Current consultations page for more information.

Have your say draft Tintinara Airfield Code Amendment

Changes to the planning rules are proposed to enable up to six homes with private aircraft hangars to be built within Tintinara Airfield.

The draft Tintinara Airfield Code Amendment would apply the ‘Residential Aviation Estate Subzone’ to about 12,000 m2 in the southern corner of the airfield, providing opportunities for low-density residential development with a home and associated aircraft hangar on the same allotment.

Building height and scale would be limited to complement nearby buildings and mitigate adverse impacts on neighbouring homes and business.

Outbuildings, including the associated aircraft hangar, should be subordinate to the home, with a maximum height of 9 m.

To complement the open character of the airfield and surrounding rural landscape, site coverage would be limited to 35 per cent, and space would be required between the buildings.

The Tintinara Airfield Code Amendment would reinstate rules introduced into the Coorong District Council Development Plan in 2017. These policies did not transition over to the new planning system when it was first implemented in the area, in July 2020, because no suitable subzone or replacement policy existed.

The draft Code Amendment would apply the Residential Aviation Estate Subzone, introduced to the ‘Code library’ in March 2021, to the same area as where similar rules were applied in the previous development plan.

For more information and to provide feedback on the draft Tintinara Airfield Code Amendment, visit the YourSAy website. Consultation closes 5, June 2024.

SPC publishes first planning practice guideline – natural ground level

The State Planning Commission has published the first practice guideline to provide clarification on determining natural ground level when assessing development proposals.

Practice Guideline 1, which can be viewed on the PlanSA portal, provides:

• guidance on the interpretation of ‘natural ground level’ as it relates to policy provisions contained within the Planning and Design Code 
• reference to relevant planning case law which provides guidance as to how the term ‘natural ground level’ is to be understood and applied
• circumstances where the ‘finished’ or ‘existing’ ground level may be taken as the point of measurement in cases where it may be impractical or irrelevant to determine what the ‘natural’ ground level’ may be
• illustrations to assist planning authorities and the community to understand these principles in different circumstances.

Pursuant to section 43(3) of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, if a planning authority acts in accordance with the practice guideline, it will be taken to be acting consistently with the relevant policies in the Code when assessing development applications.

The State Planning Commission undertook targeted engagement with planning practitioners in preparing the guideline.

For further information about practice guidelines, visit the PlanSA portal or contact the Commission Assessment Team on 1800 752 664 or email PlanSA@sa.gov.au.

Australian Building Codes Board Consultation: NCC 2025 Public Comment Draft

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) is inviting feedback on proposed changes to the next edition of the National Construction Code (NCC).

In conjunction with the changes, the ABCB is hosting a series of events to share information and answer your questions, including at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 4 June.

The NCC is updated every 3 years, based on required regulatory practices, industry research, public feedback and policy directions from governments to ABCB.

Feedback is invited on the NCC 2025 Public Comment Draft until Monday 1 July 2024.

Visit the ABCB website for more information.

Update on livability and energy efficiency NCC requirements in SA

Industry feedback has been received on the draft Ministerial Building Standard, outlining how the livable housing and energy efficiency provisions in the NCC 2022 would be delivered in South Australia from 1 October 2024.

Consultation closed on 8 May and feedback is currently being considered in finalising Ministerial Building Standard: MBS 007.

Visit the PlanSA Building Code webpage for further information regarding the NCC, updates on the NCC 2022 and the transitional period for some provisions of the NCC 2022 in South Australia.

AIBS Housing Deep Dive virtual event

This year, the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors’ national virtual event will approach housing with a new lens.

Housing Deep Dive is organised around three core themes: roof, walls and floor. Each theme will explore nuanced aspects of assessment that even seasoned building surveyors miss during the assessment and inspection stage.

For more information and to register to join this online event on Wednesday, 19 June, visit the AIBS website.

Subscribe to be notified for applications on notice

You can now subscribe via the PlanSA website to receive an email when development applications begin public notification.

Some lodged development applications need public notification as part of their assessment process. This allows neighbours and other interested people have a say about a development before a decision is made.

You can choose how often you want to receive these notification emails, as well as the council area and suburbs you would like to be notified about.

Draft Urban Greening Strategy for metropolitan Adelaide

Green Adelaide, on behalf of the South Australian Government, has released a draft strategy to increase metropolitan Adelaide’s tree canopy, cool the city and boost biodiversity.

The Urban Greening Strategy for metropolitan Adelaide is a first for South Australia and brings together government, councils, non-government organisations, industry peak bodies, research institutions, Karuna and the broader community to deliver practical greening actions that will help achieve a more livable city.

Visit the YourSAy website for more information and to share your feedback on the draft Urban Greening Strategy.

University degrees planning for the future

The South Australian Government and Flinders University are partnering to offer new planning and surveying degrees to help address critical skills shortages in the planning professions.

Flinders University has committed to collaborating with Planning and Land Use Services and the Planning Institute of Australia to develop a modernised planning program aimed at setting national standards and leading innovation in the field of urban and regional planning.

The new degree is an important step for the industry as there is currently no undergraduate planning program and a looming workforce crisis given the low number of qualified people.

The course complements a new surveying double degree which started at Flinders University this year.

This new degree ensures a locally delivered surveying degree is available to South Australian students to produce graduates to assist in addressing the skill shortages faced by the surveying profession.

The new Flinders University Urban and Regional Planning degree also complements the Para Planner Cadet Program the Government launched in January in partnership with TAFE SA.

The 2.5 year course will see cadets gain valuable work experience while undertaking a Diploma in Local Government (Planning) through TAFE SA.

A para planner plays a crucial role in supporting qualified planners by contributing to professional projects, participating in on-the-job training, answering customer queries, and undertaking assessments as part of development application processes.

$600,000 to support improved heritage protections

The South Australian Government is providing up to $600,000 of funding to local councils who are leading the way to better protect the state’s heritage and streetscapes.

In recognition of their proactive work, Heritage Code Amendment grants of up to $75,000 are being offered to eight councils across the state to improve planning rules that strengthen protections for local heritage places, Historic Areas and Character Areas.

The City of Adelaide, Alexandrina Council, Barunga West Council, City of Prospect and City of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters, have received funding offers to match council costs for the Code Amendment process.

The work underway by these councils would introduce or strengthen protections for approximately 93 local heritage places, 458 representative buildings and 15 historic areas.

Three additional councils are also progressing improved heritage planning rules and, subject to Code Amendment initiation, would introduce protections for about 120 properties and a historic area across the City of Onkaparinga, District Council of Yankalilla and Adelaide Plains Council.

These eight councils are the first to act on the State Planning Commission’s three-prong approach to boost character and heritage protections, through elevating Character Areas to Historic Areas, updating Character Area Statements and tougher demolition controls in Character Areas.

Close to $2 million to upgrade community spaces

Four projects across the state have been successful in receiving grant funding through the 2023-24 Open Space Grant Program, totalling $1.9 million to support the revitalisation and development of reimagined public spaces.

With matched funding of up to $500,000, these grants will provide the successful councils an opportunity to add vibrancy, increased activation and encourage social connections within local neighbourhoods.

A total of 45 applications were received, seeking $16,214,622 in funding. The successful projects include:

• Activating Hawthorn's Hidden Gem – City of Mitcham – $500,000
• Waite Street Reserve Upgrade – City of Mitcham – $400,000
• Celebrating Port Wakefield's Cultural Connection – Edward Street – Wakefield Regional Council – $500,000
• Barossa Creative Industries Centre - External Open Space Component – The Barossa Council – $500,000.

The successful councils will be responsible for delivering the projects, which will provide important assets for their local community.