Planning and Development
With a focus on sustainability and livability Council wants to ensure our community thrives and is a great place to live, work and play. Whether you are just looking to stay informed of what is happening in the area, wanting to lodge a Development Application, or track its status you can find what you can find what you need here.
South Australia’s planning system is governed by the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (PDI Act). To make the planning and development experience easier for everyone in South Australia a state based online planning platform (ePlanning) with everything in one place has been created.
PlanSA is Australia’s first integrated and comprehensive ePlanning platform. It comprises of four key parts:
- PlanSA Portal
- Planning and Design Code (the Code)
- Development Application Processing (DAP)
- SA Property and Planning Atlas (SAPPA)
For more information, read the Planning Systems Brochure.
PlanSA support
If your enquiry relates to:
- an application that is currently or will be assessed by Council
- preliminary advice on proposed developments
then Contact Us.
Otherwise, for all other questions, or if you need to:
- request an amendment to a submitted development application or accredited professional user profile
- want to provide feedback
- require support relating to PlanSA and the planning system
please contact PlanSA.
Do I need approval?
While some projects at home are not considered 'development' such as a small garden shed, fence or water tanks, other types such as building work and construction, changes in land use, advertising displays and division of land are.
Use PlanSA's wizard to find out if you need approval.
Developments needing consent will need to be approved before you get started. This is to ensure the development is appropriate for where it is proposed and constructed in a safe and compliant way.
Getting professional help
If your proposal is complicated, or you are not confident about preparing an application, you can engage a professional to help you. They understand the approval process and are experienced in lodging applications. While they cost, they can save you time and prevent having to amend your plans later on.
To find:
- an accredited professional to help you, view PlanSA's Accredited Professionals Register.
- a professional to assist with a planning consent, visit Planning Institute Australia.
- a professional to help you with a building consent, visit the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors Register.
Case management services may also be available. To find out more, visit PlanSA.
Rules that apply
There are a number of planning, building and land division rules set out in the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, used to assess a development for consent. To view the rules that apply to your proposal, visit PlanSA.
How applications are assessed
Development applications are assessed by a relevant authority for decision. The authority is determined by the assessment pathway which is dependent upon the potential impact of the development, its complexity and location. Assessment pathways are set out in the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016,
Relevant authorities are either:
- Assessment Manager
- Assessment Panel
- State Planning Commission
- Accredited Professional
- Council
- Minister for Planning
For more information on how applications are assessed, visit PlanSA.
Development application checklist
Knowing what you need to lodge a development application can be a challenge. That is why PlanSA have put together a useful checklist to help you gather the information you will need. Further information and guides to assist you are available in PlanSA's Support Library and Resources Library.
Zoning for a property
Zoning guides the types of development that are and are not appropriate. Every part of South Australia is zoned, as set out by the Planning and Design Code under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. To find out more, visit PlanSA.
Referrals and preliminary agreements
There are a number of referral agencies responsbile for the assessment of applications under the Planning, Development and Infratructure Act 2016, such as,
- Commissioner of Highways
- Environment Protection Authority
- Native Vegitation Council
- South Australian Country Fire Services (CFS)
- Coast Protection Board
- State Heritage Branch, Department for Water - River Murray
Obtaining a preliminary agreement and engaging with referral agencies before lodging an application for Planning/Land Division Consent will streamline the assessment and decision-making process. To find out more, visit PlanSA.
Telecoms in new developments
All new real estate developments must provide telecommunication infrastructure. If you are planning to buy or build a property in a new development, you should check that telecommunications infrastructure will be installed before signing a contract. To find out more, visit PlanSA.
Application for general development
If you wish to undertake development that is not exempt, a development application must be lodged online via PlanSA. You will need to create an account before you can lodge an application.
Application for alteration of a Council road
If you are seeking to make an alteration to a Council road reserve, before any work is undertaken you will need Councils approval. Complete the Alteration of a Council Road form and then upload it to Contact Us.
Track an application
To check the status of a development application lodged after 2021, visit PlanSA.
For applications lodged 2021 or before, Contact Us.
Notified developments
Some development applications need public notification to let neighbours and other interested parties have a say about a development before a decision is made.
The Development Act 1993 requires applications to be classified into categories - Category 2 and Category 3.
Both Category 2 and 3 applications require notification to adjoining property owners.
Only Category 3 applications are required to be advertised in the local newspaper.
To find out what developments are on notice or to have your say about a current notified development application, visit PlanSA.
Inspect development documents
If you are wanting to inspect development documents, complete the Application to Inspect Development Documents form and then upload it to Contact Us.
All development applications incur fees to cover the assessment process. The fees payable will depend on what you are proposing. To find out more, visit PlanSA.
Notifications of compliance
Building Work
Swimming Pool Installation Stages
Certificate of Occupancy
Statement of Compliance
Public notification
Owners or occupiers of adjacent land in accordance with Section 107(3)(a)(i) of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 are to be notified of any development application and have the right to support or oppose the development.
Submissions can be made by using the Representation on Application form with the owner/occupier public notification letter in accordance with Practice Direction 3 – Notification of Performance Assessed Development Applications 2019.
For more information, visit PlanSA.
Council has adopted the Infrastructure Guidelines SA as a set of standards and requriements to be used when constructing assets connected to, or to be incorporated into, public stormwater, roads, sewer, water, parks etc.
The following documents are to be used in the planning, design and construction of Direct Infrastructure Assets as identified in developer contribution agreements established between Council and the developer.
As Constructed Drawing Requirements
Major
Minor
Bonding Agreement - Prior to Section 51 Clearance
Final Completion & Subsequent Conclusion of Maintenance Period Process
Practical Completion & Subsequent Commencement of Maintenance Period Process
Roseworthy Township Expansion (RTE) Style Guide
Infrastructure Guidelines in South Australia
Essential Safety Provisions are a standard part of owning a commercial or multi-unit residential building and are critical to the safety of the property and its occupants. A guide has been created providing basic information for property owners regarding the issuing and maintenance of Essential Safety Provisions. Refer to the link for more information.
Couldn't find what you were looking for? No worries, Contact Us.