On this page you will find information about:
How the planning system is structured The Planning Strategy for South Australia
Development plans How the planning system is structured
South Australia’s planning system controls land use and the physical development of the state.
The legislation related to planning and development matters is contained in the
Development Act 1993 and associated regulations.
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The Planning Strategy for South Australia
The Planning Strategy for South Australia sets out the state government’s broad directions for planning and development. This is a statutory document required under section 22 of the Development Act. The strategy has various volumes covering different geographic areas of the state and includes:
Each volume of the strategy is reviewed and updated every five years.
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Development plans
All South Australian councils must align their
development plans with the planning strategy volume that applies to their region. This is done through the
development plan amendment (DPA) process. In this way the government’s broad directions are translated to local plans and can guide local development outcomes.
Development plans contain the zones, maps and written policies that guide property owners and others as to what development can and cannot be done on any piece of land within the area covered by the development plan. These zones, maps and policies provide the detailed criteria against which development applications will be assessed. Development plan consent is granted when a proposed development meets the criteria established in the development plan.
For information about development approvals and the relationship of development plan consents, see
Development applications and how they are assessed.
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More information
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