The Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 introduces improved building controls to deliver a safe, high quality built environment.
The new system drives a number of changes to the way that building and construction is undertaken in South Australia.
About the building reforms
These changes are designed to support the implementation of South Australia’s new planning and development system, and to respond to areas of emerging need in the building industry, such as ensuring Building Rules compliance.
These reforms primarily affect building professionals who are responsible for applying South Australia’s Building Rules, namely certifiers, building surveyors and council officers.
The ultimate aim of these changes was to ensure higher standards of assessment and compliance in the building sector to create a safe, durable, high quality built environment for the community.
The new PDI Act affects the building industry in South Australia via seven key reforms:
Roll out of the Accredited Professionals Scheme
The Accredited Professionals Scheme aims to ensure that decision-makers in the development assessment process are appropriately qualified to make key decisions and that a high standard of ethical conduct and professionalism is met.
The Accredited Professionals Scheme became operational on 1 April 2019.
As part of the scheme, all certifiers, surveyors and council officers need to be registered and accredited within defined levels and meet Continuing Professional Development standards.
The new scheme also includes revised procedures for complaints; investigations; compliance and enforcement; and auditing.
Revision of building regulations (to be incorporated into the General Regulations of the PDI Act)
New and updated building regulations have now been prepared and are in effect across the state.
These building regulations seek to support improved performance and accountability in the building system, and address gaps and areas of emerging need in the building sector.
They are captured in the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017.
Conversion of Minister's Specifications to Ministerial Building Standards
The Ministerial Building Standards will be derived from (and replace) existing Minister’s Specifications, but will be amended and consolidated as required to provide clearer building rules related to South Australian variations under the National Construction Code.
These Standards will continue to address issues such as adaptive re-use and maintenance of essential safety provisions.
Find a Ministerial Building Standard
Creation of new council inspection policies
A state-wide set of council inspection policies will be created to foster a more consistent and greater level of compliance across council regions. These will be tailored to meet a range of council requirements. This is a change from the current system whereby councils determine many of their own inspection policies based on set criteria.
Creation of new stand-alone swimming pool regulations
Modernising South Australia’s building system has involved identifying local issues that require stand-alone regulations. This includes swimming pool compliance and safety which has been recognised as a regulatory area requiring improved management in our state.
As such, stand-alone regulations for swimming pools have now been prepared separately to the General Regulations of the PDI Act.
Revised fees and charges to support the new planning system
A revised fee structure has now been prepared for the new planning system to consolidate and simplify existing development fees and ensure that they more accurately reflect the level of services delivered.
The revised fee structure incorporates all fees associated with development assessment in South Australia under the PDI Act, including the Accredited Professionals Scheme, and is now operational in the outback regions of South Australia (land not within council boundaries).
Delivery of the state-wide ePlanning platform for development assessment (including building rules consent)
South Australia’s paper-based planning system will soon migrate to a state-wide ePlanning platform. As part of this change, all development applications across the state will be lodged via the PlanSA portal.
In this future state, the portal will become the ‘one-stop-shop’ for building practitioner registration, building approvals and building inspection records. All Ministerial Building Standards, building regulations and council inspection policies will also be housed on the PlanSA portal.
Consultation
A record of public consultation relating to this scheme is listed below.
Closed 1 March 2019
This consultation has closed.
The draft Development Assessment Regulations and Practice Directions set out how the new development assessment framework will operate in the new planning system.
Your input is being used to inform the draft Regulations and Practice Directions to help set out the new framework for planning and development in South Australia.
A What We Have Heard report based on feedback received has been circulated to all engagement participants and published on this page.
Documents
- Draft Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) (Development Assessment) Variation Regulations (PDF, 859 KB)
- Guide to the draft Development Assessment Regulations and Practice Directions (PDF, 4316 KB)
- Draft Practice Direction - Conditions (PDF, 203 KB)
- Draft Practice Direction - Deemed Planning Consent Standard Conditions (PDF, 566 KB)
- Draft Practice Direction - Notification of Performance Assessed Development Applications (PDF, 652 KB)
- Draft Practice Direction - Restricted and Impact Assessed Development (PDF, 1065 KB)
- Fact Sheet: Development Assessment: What is changing and how will this affect me as a resident? (PDF, 864 KB)
- Fact Sheet: Proposed Assessment Timeframes (PDF, 315 KB)
- What We Have Heard Report - Development Assessment Regulations and Practice Directions (PDF, 572 KB)
Submissions received
- 001 - Naracoorte Lucindale Council.pdf (199.0 KB, PDF File)
- 002 - Bruce Payne.pdf (151.1 KB, PDF File)
- 003 - Save Unley Trees, Grow Grow Grow Your Own, Friends of the City of Unley Society.pdf (167.4 KB, PDF File)
- 004 - Regional Council of Goyder - late submission.pdf (776.4 KB, PDF File)
- 005 - ACB Consulting.pdf (114.7 KB, PDF File)
- 006 - City of West Torrens.pdf (1.0 MB, PDF File)
- 007 - City of Salisbury.pdf (213.1 KB, PDF File)
- 008 - Berri Barmera Council, District Council of Loxton Waikerie, Renmark Paringa Council.pdf (292.0 KB, PDF File)
- 009 - Mobile Carriers Forum.pdf (2.0 MB, PDF File)
- 010 - South Australian Independent Retailers.pdf (853.0 KB, PDF File)
- 011 - Mid Murray Council.pdf (169.3 KB, PDF File)
- 012 - Mount Barker District Council.pdf (217.5 KB, PDF File)
- 012a - Mount Barker District Council.pdf (172.7 KB, PDF File)
- 013 - Light Regional Council.pdf (132.8 KB, PDF File)
- 014 - City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters.pdf (1.5 MB, PDF File)
- 015 - City of Burnside.pdf (129.4 KB, PDF File)
- 016 - City of Charles Sturt.pdf (437.7 KB, PDF File)
- 017 - City of Onkaparinga - Development Services.pdf (589.4 KB, PDF File)
- 018 - Ron Lochert.pdf (40.8 KB, PDF File)
- 020 - Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute South Australia.pdf (136.3 KB, PDF File)
- 021 - Housing Industry Association.pdf (530.3 KB, PDF File)
- 022 - City of Unley - late submission.pdf (265.3 KB, PDF File)
- 023 - City of Tea Tree Gully.pdf (631.4 KB, PDF File)
- 024 - City of Holdfast Bay.pdf (246.9 KB, PDF File)
- 026 - Peet Limited.pdf (144.7 KB, PDF File)
- 027 - City of Adelaide.pdf (1.8 MB, PDF File)
- 028 - City of Onkaparinga - Parks and Natural Resources.pdf (119.8 KB, PDF File)
- 029 - City of Port Adelaide Enfield.pdf (1.0 MB, PDF File)
- 030 - Swimming Pool and Spa Association.pdf (224.5 KB, PDF File)
- 031 - Bunnings Group Limited.pdf (1.3 MB, PDF File)
- 032 - Bernie Steer.pdf (543.7 KB, PDF File)
- 033 - Local Government Association.pdf (1.3 MB, PDF File)
- 034 - The Verge Cohousing Community.pdf (425.6 KB, PDF File)
- 035 - Jeff Shillabeer.pdf (326.9 KB, PDF File)
- 036 - The Rural City of Murray Bridge.pdf (1.4 MB, PDF File)
- 037 - Campbelltown City Council.pdf (124.9 KB, PDF File)
- 038 - Town of Gawler.pdf (1.8 MB, PDF File)
- 039 - Tony DiGiovanni.pdf (11.9 KB, PDF File)
- 040 - Adelaide Plains Council.pdf (294.4 KB, PDF File)
- 041 - Australian Institute of Landscape Architects SA Chapter.pdf (228.2 KB, PDF File)
- 042 - Alexandrina Council.pdf (172.0 KB, PDF File)
- 043 - Yorke Peninsula Council, Copper Coast Council, Barunga West Council, Wakefield Regional Council, Port Pirie Regional Council.pdf (3.5 MB, PDF File)
- 044 - City of Playford.pdf (541.4 KB, PDF File)
- 045 - City of Salisbury.pdf (1.1 MB, PDF File)
- 046 - Planning Institute Australia.pdf (168.0 KB, PDF File)
- 048 - City of Marion.pdf (126.5 KB, PDF File)
- 049 - The Barossa Council staff.pdf (1.0 MB, PDF File)
- 050 - Property Council of Australia.pdf (4.1 MB, PDF File)
- 051 - Resilient East Project Steering Group.pdf (232.7 KB, PDF File)
- 053 - Yup Yup Labs.pdf (79.4 KB, PDF File)
- 054 - Master Builders Association of SA Inc.pdf (955.7 KB, PDF File)
- 055 - Mary Morris.pdf (557.9 KB, PDF File)
- 056 - Adelaide Hills Council.pdf (363.1 KB, PDF File)
- 057 - The Law Society of South Australia - late submission.pdf (352.0 KB, PDF File)
- 058 - Senior Officers of the 5 Growth Area Council Officers.pdf (1.0 MB, PDF File)
- 059 - Environment Defenders Office.pdf (145.0 KB, PDF File)
- 060 - Australian Institute of Building Surveyors.pdf (167.6 KB, PDF File)
- 061 - Urban Development Institute of Australia SA Inc.pdf (438.6 KB, PDF File)
- 062 - Evonne Moore.pdf (103.0 KB, PDF File)
- 063 - People for Trees.pdf (86.1 KB, PDF File)
- 064 - Prospect Residents Association.pdf (967.6 KB, PDF File)
- 065 - Friends of the City of Unley.pdf (85.4 KB, PDF File)
- 066 - Kensington Residents Association.pdf (884.2 KB, PDF File)
- 067 - Community Alliance SA.pdf (430.4 KB, PDF File)
- 068 - Norwood Residents Association.pdf (255.7 KB, PDF File)
- 069 - Cheltenham Park Residents Association.pdf (278.5 KB, PDF File)
- 070 - Coastal Ecology Protection Group.pdf (62.4 KB, PDF File)
- 071 - National Trust South Australia.pdf (629.8 KB, PDF File)
- 072 - Residents for Environment and Character Conservation.pdf (31.0 KB, PDF File)
Closed 18 December 2019
This consultation has closed.
The draft Inspection Policies Practice Direction has been issued under section 144 of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (PDI Act) and has been informed by expert advice from the State Planning Commission’s Building Committee and other industry stakeholders.
The draft practice direction outlines proposed inspection levels and is intended to set minimum mandatory requirements that councils must comply with under the PDI Act.
Consultation on the draft Inspection Policies Practice Direction closed on 18 December 2019. A What We Have Heard report based on feedback received has now been published.
Documents
Submissions received
- Adelaide Hills Council.pdf (121.8 KB, PDF File)
- Alexandrina Council.pdf (197.3 KB, PDF File)
- Australian Institute of Building Surveyors.pdf (163.1 KB, PDF File)
- City of Adelaide.pdf (318.6 KB, PDF File)
- City of Charles Sturt.pdf (828.6 KB, PDF File)
- City of Marion.pdf (300.7 KB, PDF File)
- City of Mitcham.pdf (243.8 KB, PDF File)
- City of Onkaparinga.pdf (1.1 MB, PDF File)
- City of Playford.pdf (208.8 KB, PDF File)
- City of Prospect.pdf (76.2 KB, PDF File)
- City of Salisbury.pdf (395.7 KB, PDF File)
- City of Unley.pdf (208.1 KB, PDF File)
- City of West Torrens.pdf (67.7 KB, PDF File)
- Copper Coast Council.pdf (309.8 KB, PDF File)
- District Council of Coober Pedy.pdf (85.3 KB, PDF File)
- District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula.pdf (158.6 KB, PDF File)
- Favian Castello.pdf (79.9 KB, PDF File)
- Kym Rowland.pdf (71.6 KB, PDF File)
- Light Regional Council.pdf (1.6 MB, PDF File)
- Local Government Association.pdf (310.1 KB, PDF File)
- Master Builders South Australia.pdf (455.4 KB, PDF File)
- Mid Murray Council.pdf (151.4 KB, PDF File)
- Mount Barker District Council.pdf (746.1 KB, PDF File)
- Municipal Council of Roxby Downs.pdf (1.5 MB, PDF File)
- Port Adelaide Enfield.pdf (180.0 KB, PDF File)
- Ron Lochert.pdf (118.9 KB, PDF File)
- Wakefield Regional Council.pdf (229.1 KB, PDF File)
- Yorke Peninsula Council.pdf (116.0 KB, PDF File)
Closed 15 November 2019
This consultation has closed.
The new Plannning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 has introduced a number of changes to the way that building and construction is to be undertaken in South Australia, including the conversion of Ministerial Building Specifications to Ministerial Building Standards.
The new Ministerial Building Standards seek to improve the quality and safety of building work across the state and provide clearer building rules under the National Construction Code.
Documents
- Ministerial Building Standard MBS 008 – Additional requirements in designated bushfire prone areas (PDF, 171 KB)
- Ministerial Building Standard MBS 009 – On-site stormwater retention (PDF, 621 KB)
- Ministerial Building Standard MBS 010 – Construction requirements for the control of external sound (PDF, 420 KB)
Closed 26 April 2019
This consultation has closed.
The new Plannning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 has introduced a number of changes to the way that building and construction is to be undertaken in South Australia, including the conversion of Ministerial Building Specifications to Ministerial Building Standards.The new Ministerial Building Standards seek to improve the quality and safety of building work across the state and provide clearer building rules under the National Construction Code.Consultation has now closed on the first five Ministerial Building Standards.
Documents
- Ministerial Building Standard MBS 001 – Upgrading health and safety in existing buildings (PDF, 1474 KB)
- Ministerial Building Standard MBS 002 – Maintaining the performance of essential safety provisions (PDF, 360 KB)
- Ministerial Building Standard MBS 003 – Fire safety in caravan parks and residential parks (PDF, 564 KB)
- Ministerial Building Standard MBS 004 – Swimming pool safety – upgrading safety barriers (PDF, 499 KB)
- Ministerial Building Standard MBS 005 – Additional requirements for housing on designated Aboriginal lands (PDF, 402 KB)
- Ministerial Building Standard MBS 006 – Modifications to the application of the Building Code (PDF, 110 KB)
Documents
If you can't find a document, try searching PlanSA's resources library.
- Notice A - Designated building products
- Notice B - Prescribed supervisor's checklist for designated building products
- Form 1 - Schedule of Essential Safety Provisions (ESPs) installed or to be installed
- Form 2 - Essential Safety Provisions (ESPs) compliance certificate
- Form 3 - Essential Safety Provisions (ESPs) maintenance certificate
- Statement of compliance
- Certificate of occupancy
- Development application form
- Electricity infrastructure declaration
Ministerial Building Standards
- Ministerial Building Standard - 001 - Upgrading health and safety in existing buildings
- Ministerial Building Standard - 002 - Maintaining the performance of essential safety provisions
- Ministerial Building Standard - 003 - Fire safety in caravan parks and residential parks
- Ministerial Building Standard - 004 - Swimming pool safety - designated safety features for pools built before 1 July 1993
- Ministerial Building Standard - 005 - Additional requirements for housing on designated Aboriginal lands
- Ministerial Building Standard - 006 - Modifications to the application of the Building Code
- Ministerial Building Standard - 007 - Modifications to the Building Code 2019 edition (HISTORIC)
- Ministerial Building Standard - 008 - Additional requirements in designated bushfire prone areas
- Ministerial Building Standard - 009 - On-site stormwater retention
- Ministerial Building Standard - 010 - Construction requirements for the control of external sound
National Construction Code
Inspection Policies
- Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017
- Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Fees, Charges and Contributions) Regulations 2019
- Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Accredited Professionals) Regulations 2019
- Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Swimming Pool Safety) Regulations 2019