South Australia has undergone the biggest modernisation of its planning system in 20 years with the implementation of planning reforms.
A modern planning system is fundamental for South Australia, helping our state to remain liveable, prosperous and vibrant.
1-year anniversary of the Planning and Design Code
March 2022 saw the 1-year anniversary of the implementation of South Australia’s Planning and Design Code and e-Planning system.
We are proud to be the only state/territory in Australia with a single, comprehensive planning scheme and one of four that currently offers online lodgement.
The new system offers transparency, efficiency and agility – a system that is able to adapt to future challenges. Built into the new system is a mechanism for continuous improvement to ensure it’s a system which works for all.
The driver of reform
The new planning system is underpinned by the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (the Act) which introduced a raft of new tools, including a 24/7 digital ePlanning system.
The Planning and Design Code is the cornerstone of South Australia's planning system and has replaced all council development plans to become the single source of planning policy for assessing development applications.
The Development Act 1993 has been replaced by the PDI Act state-wide and is no longer operational.
Three phases of implementation
The planning system was implemented in three phases across South Australia, to support a smooth transition for councils, practitioners and the community.
With the implementation of each phase, relevant council Development Plans were retired and converted to the Planning and Design Code.
Map and list of council areas included in each phase (PDF, 452 KB)
Piloting our new planning system in South Australia’s outback
On 1 July 2019, the first phase of South Australia's new planning system became operational in out of council areas, revoking the Development Act 1993. Three land not within a council area development plans were also revoked and replaced with the Planning and Design Code.
Out of council areas comprise 70% of South Australia and include our coastal waters, coastline and arid regions. Outback communities play an important role in driving our economy, particularly in mining, food production and energy generation.
Planning matters in out of council areas are managed by the state government, resulting in a minimal impact to councils.
Transitioning rural council areas with small towns and settlements to the digital planning system
On 31 July 2020, the second phase of South Australia's new planning system became operational for all rural councils with small towns and settlements. Country development plans have now been replaced with the Planning and Design Code.
Phase Two excludes regional towns and cities in rural areas.
Switching on the new planning system for urban council areas and councils with regional towns and cities
On 19 March 2021, the new planning system became operational for all urban councils and councils with regional towns and cities. All remaining development plans were revoked and replaced with the Planning and Design Code.
The implementation of Phase Three was the final milestone in delivering a new planning and development system for the state, replacing all operations under the Development Act 1993 with the new legislation.
Outcomes and benefits
The planning system is designed to deliver better outcomes for South Australia's economy, environment and communities.
Benefits to South Australians
- A collaborative, long-term strategic planning direction for South Australia
- Collective goals developed by South Australians that unlock the state's social, economic and environmental potential
- Clear and adaptive priorities for South Australia that are responsible to current and future trends
- Policies that improve quality of life, employment opportunities and the experience of visitors
What delivers this
- State planning policies that set out the state’s overarching planning goals and requirements
- Regional plans that set a long-term planning vision for a region or area
- Joint planning arrangements that enable councils to work together on planning functions, including regional plans
Benefits to South Australians
- More opportunities for South Australians to help shape their community
- Communities can better engage with the planning system via practical tools and easy-to-understand information
- Simplified information to improve understanding of the planning system and encourage greater participation earlier in the planning process
What delivers this
- The Community Engagement Charter outlines the principles of good engagement that must be adhered to when developing or amending planning instruments
- The improved public notification system for notified developments increases transparency and gives all South Australians the opportunity to comment on development proposals
| Current planning system | Old planning system | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is directly notified of a development | Landowners in a 60 metre radius | Adjacent landowners only |
| Who can make a submission on a development | Anyone | Neighbours only |
| Sign on the land advising details of the development | Yes | No |
| Number of days to make a submission | 15 days | 10 days |
| Electronic notification of development applications | Yes | No |
| Access to all development applications across SA | Yes | No |
Benefits to South Australians
- One clear set of planning guidelines for the state
- Consolidation of South Australia’s 72 complex development plans into one set of easy-to-understand planning rules
- Delivering the Code electronically provides decision makers with the planning rules they need, saving time and improving consistency
What delivers this
- A Planning and Design Code that contains the electronically applied planning rules for the state
Benefits to South Australians
- An online ePlanning system that is easy to use and understand
- One centralised place for all of South Australia’s planning and development matters
- An electronic planning system to simplify processes and speed up the movement of information, saving all users time and money
- Improved consistency of all planning decisions, with legislative amendments implemented centrally under standardised interpretation
What delivers this
- ePlanning simplifies how community members, developers, decision makers and others interact with the planning system
Benefits to South Australians
- New planning rules with a focus on good design outcomes
- A renewed focus on creating buildings and places that meet the needs of people
- Raising the benchmark of South Australia's built environment and character
- Enhanced community understanding of the importance of good design
What delivers this
- State planning policies that establish good design outcomes
- Planning and Design Code of state-wide planning rules
- Design standards that improve the interface and connections between public and private land
- Design Review that ensures significant projects include quality design outcomes
Benefits to South Australians
- A consistent and simplified development assessment process
- New assessment pathways that provide increasing certainty for simple developments and a tailored approach for more complex developments
- Increased support for proposals that deliver real benefits to communities, such as roads, housing, infrastructure, community and business facilities
- Faster approvals, with fast tracking of deemed-to-satisfy applications, and more consistent planning rules for performance-based assessments
What delivers this
- Assessment pathways that allow for the development assessment process to flex with the complexity of the proposal
- Building reforms that will modernise the way we do building
Benefits to South Australians
- Professionals making the right decisions for the right places
- Greater confidence for applicants and communities that qualified and experienced professionals who undergo regular training are making planning decisions
- More options for development applicants providing faster turnaround times on development applications
- Recognition for professionals based on their skills and experience
What delivers this
- An Accredited Professionals Scheme that will ensure development applications are assessed by suitably qualified and experienced professionals
Benefits to South Australians
- Infrastructure that is identified, committed, costed and funded before it is required to be in place
- Coordinated and equitable provision of infrastructure
- Helping councils deliver infrastructure in their local area that will ensure local neighbourhoods can grow and prosper
What delivers this
- Infrastructure Schemes that will introduce a fairer and more equitable process for new infrastructure
Benefits to South Australians
- New ways to monitor, improve and share planning activity
- ePlanning enables accurate reporting on the planning system, automated from a central database and available to everyone
- Identifies adjustments in policies, legislation and administration
- Allows for continuous improvements and efficiencies in the planning system
What delivers this
- ePlanning to monitor activity within the planning system
- Performance indicators to ensure we are measuring the health of our planning system, so we can constantly improve
Benefits to South Australians
- Protecting our environment and important agricultural assets
- Preserves our unique natural landscapes, important environmental resources and renowned agricultural assets
- Supports sustainable development and better use of existing infrastructure by concentrating development within established areas
- Protects our food security, economic growth, local jobs and prized tourism areas as a premium producer of food and wine
What delivers this
- Environmental and Food Production Areas (EFPAs) that protect land surrounding metropolitan Adelaide from unrestricted development
