Legislation, Practice Directions and Guidelines
Providing clear and up-to-date guidance on the planning system
The Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (the PDI Act) legislation helps modernise South Australia’s planning system and builds upon important recommendations made by the Expert Panel on Planning Reform in 2014.
The planning system is complex and can often require experienced professionals to make procedural judgement calls. To support them, section 42 of the new PDI Act includes the ability for the State Planning Commission to issue practice directions and guidelines.
Legislation
- Legislation: Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016
- Legislation: Statues Amendment (Planning, Development and Infrastructure) Act 2017 (Transitional Act)
- Legislation: Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General Regulations) 2017
- Legislation: Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2017
Publications
- Practice Direction #2 - Consultation on the Preparation or Amendment of a Designated Instrument – issued date 9 August 2018 (PDF, 128 KB)
- Practice Direction #1 - State Planning Commission Practice Direction (Environment and Food Production Areas - Greater Adelaide) 2017 – Issued 21 November 2017 (PDF, 43 KB)
Fact Sheets
Practice Direction #2 issued by the State Planning Commission
Completed August 2018
Practice Direction #1 issued by the State Planning Commission
Completed November 2017
Further aspects of the new PDI Act 2016 came into operation
Completed August 2017
The Statues Amendment Act 2017 came into operation to support implementation of the PDI Act 2016
Completed July 2017
The Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General Regulations) 2017 and Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Transitional Regulations 2017) were made to provide more detail on new legislative changes.
Completed April 2017
The new PDI Act 2016 came into operation
Completed April 2017
The new PDI Act 2016 was passed by Parliament
Completed April 2016
The South Australian government released its response to the Expert Panel reports
Completed March 2015
The Expert Panel for Planning Reform delivered its final report to the Minister for Planning
Completed December 2014
A practice direction may specify procedural requirements relating to any matter under the legislation. Practice directions will likely address a range of matters currently covered by the Development Regulations 2008.
Throughout the new Act there are many specific instances where the State Planning Commission is allowed to issue a practice direction. They are issued by the Commission by a notice in the Government Gazette and must be published on the SA Planning Portal. The Commission also has the power to revoke or vary a practice direction through the same process of notification and publication.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the following elements may require the establishment of a practice direction:
- preparation of a regional plan
- assessment pathways; and
- the establishment and appointment of assessment panels.
Practice Directions issued by the State Planning Commission so far include:
- Practice Direction #1 - State Planning Commission Practice Direction (Environment and Food Production Areas - Greater Adelaide) 2017 – Issued 21 November 2017 (PDF, 43 KB)
- Practice Direction #2 - Consultation on the Preparation or Amendment of a Designated Instrument – issued 9 August 2018 (PDF, 128 KB)
