South Australia's new planning system for large regional towns and metropolitan areas has launched, allowing development applications to be submitted and tracked online via Australia's first state wide ePlanning platform. The ePlanning platform brings together the PlanSA portal, the online Planning and Design Code, the South Australian Property and Planning Atlas and the electronic Development Application Processing system.
This change has been the biggest overhaul of the state development system in 27 years, with the new system allowing:
- 24 hour online access for lodgment of development applications
- Payment of application fees
- Submission of amended plans
- Status of application viewing
- Receipts of development decision and approved plans
- Extensive information for applicants
- 24 hour online access to a Development Register
The system will enable bulk applicants (i.e., housing and shed companies) to see all applications lodged from 19 March 2021. This overhaul will now provide a consistent development system where all forms (including land division) can be accessed from one portal.
There is also an easy once-off registration for applicants and replacement of 68 Council Development Plans. Councils across the State will now have their own online accounts, culminating in one State Planning and Design code. This means that there will be consistent zoning across the the State with one set of planning rules and online mapping of land, showing zoning, building outlines, property boundaries and title references. There will also be an online wizard test to see whether developments need approval.
The intent for the new system is to encourage and relax restrictions on many forms of development across the State, including outside townships in the Mount Lofty Ranges. It will also deliver clear and consistent planning policies across the entire state of South Australia that are now easily accessible and widely available.
