Legislation, Practice Directions and Guidelines

In 2016, the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (PDI Act) was passed by the South Australian Parliament. The PDI Act is being “switched on” in stages, and will be fully operational by 2020. The PDI Act sets out a new way in which development applications will be assessed across the state.

The Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 became operational for outback areas on 1 July 2019. Five new sets of Regulations also became operational for these areas on this date.

Downloads

• Comparison chart between the Development Regulations 2008 and the PDI Regulations (PDF, 457 KB)
• Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016
• Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Accredited Professionals) Regulations 2019
• Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Fees, Charges and Contributions) Regulations 2019
• Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2017
• Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Swimming Pool Safety) Regulations 2019
• Statutes Amendment (Planning Development and Infrastructure) Act 2017
• Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017

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
• the establishment and appointment of assessment panels.

Practice Directions issued by the State Planning Commission so far include:

• Practice Direction - 1 - Environment and Food Production Areas - Greater Adelaide 2017 – Version 1 (21 November 2017) (PDF, 43 KB)
• Practice Direction - 2 - Preparation and Amendment of Designated Instruments - Version 2 (28 November 2019)  (PDF, 198 KB)
• Practice Direction - 3 - Notification of Performance Assessed Development - Version 1 (1 July 2019) (PDF, 467 KB)
• Practice Direction - 4 - Restricted and Impact Assessed Development - Version 1 (1 July 2019) (PDF, 781 KB)
• Practice Direction - 5 - Appointment of additional members to an Assessment Panel - Version 1 (1 July 2019) (PDF, 129 KB)
• Practice Direction - 6 - Scheme to avoid conflicting regimens - Version 1 (1 July 2019) (PDF, 114 KB)
• Practice Direction - 7 - Out of Council Areas Inspection Policy - Version 1 (1 July 2019) (PDF, 141 KB)
• Practice Direction - 8 - Swimming Pool Inspection Policy 2019 - Version 1 (5 September 2019) (PDF, 120 KB)

Practice Directions not yet commenced:

• Practice Direction - 3 - Notification of Performance Assessed Development Applications - Version 2 (18 June 2020) (PDF, 453 KB)
• Practice Direction - 8 - Swimming Pool Inspections 2019 - Version 2 (12 March 2020) (PDF, 141 KB)
• Practice Direction - 9 - Council Inspections 2020 - Version 1 (12 March 2020) (PDF, 177 KB)
• Practice Direction - 10 - Staged Occupation of Multi-storey Buildings - Version 1 (18 June 2020) (PDF, 142 KB)
• Practice Direction - 11 - Deemed Planning Consent Standard Conditions 2020 - Version 1 (18 June 2020) (PDF, 174 KB)
• Practice Direction - 12 - Conditions 2020 - Version 1 (18 June 2020) (PDF, 149 KB)

A record of public consultation relating to this planning tool is listed below.