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April 2017

Implementation of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016

On 28 March 2017 His Excellency the Governor in Executive Council proclaimed the commencement of the PDI Act in the Government Gazette (issue #18/2017).

From 1 April 2017, various sections of the PDI Act – including those which formally establish the State Planning Commission; the Community Engagement Charter and the Environment and Food Production Areas and the Statutes Amendment (Planning, Development and Infrastructure) Act 2017 will become operational and the first elements of South Australia’s new planning system to be officially implemented.

A list of those sections of the PDI Act that are now commenced and those that are suspended are detailed in a factsheet.

More information about the implementation is available on the SA Planning Portal

A new system of development controls in South Australia

Several key elements of the new system are anticipated to be delivered by the end of 2017, including:

First Quarter

State Planning Commission – April 2017 – professional decision making
Community Engagement Charter – mid to late 2017 – community buy-in early allows for a streamlined assessment process
Infrastructure Schemes – pilot schemes launched 6 February
Planning Agreements Pilot Schemes - early to mid 2017

Second Quarter

Introduction of Environment and Food Production Areas – April 2017 - certainty for investors
State Planning Policies – mid to late 2017 – state interests defined

Third Quarter

Planning and Design Code - preparation of Code framework and transition plans for Councils
Assessment Panels – maximum one Elected Member – mid 2017

Fourth Quarter

Accreditation Scheme established – mid to late 2017

ABCB News

Proposal for Change for NCC 2019

The next edition of the National Construction Code (NCC) will be 1 May 2019. For a Proposal for Change to be considered for inclusion in the next edition, the ABCB must receive submissions by 1 September 2017. Submissions received after this date will not be considered for inclusion until NCC 2022.

For information on how to make a Proposal for Change visit the ABCB website

Final Decision RIS - Automatic fire suppression systems for covered balconies in residential buildings

On 1 March 2017, the ABCB has released the Final Decision Regulation Impact Statement (RIS), Automatic fire suppression systems for covered balconies in residential buildings.

The RIS assesses the problem of fire occurring on balconies of new residential buildings over 25 metres in effective height.

To access this RIS please visit the ABCB website

Australian Standards transitional dates

Practitioners are advised that Volume One and Two of the NCC 2016 reference two Australian Standards that are subject to an expiration date.

The following standards will remain in the NCC 2016 - however cannot be referenced or assessed against as part of a building rules assessment from 1 May 2017:

AS 3660.1 Termite Management - New building work (2000 edition)
AS 3786 Smoke Alarms (1993 edition)

Senate Inquiry - Non-conforming building products

On 11 October 2016, the Senate agreed to the committee's recommendation that this inquiry be re-adopted in the 45th Parliament. The inquiry reopened and resolved to inquire into the illegal importation of products containing asbestos and adopted additional terms of reference. The committee is to report by 25 May 2017.

For more information visit the Parliament of Australia Website

Review of the Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2010

On 3 March 2017 the Commonwealth Government released the Review of the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 (Premises Standards) Report and its response to the Report.

The response sets out reforms to be made to the Premises Standards to improve their effectiveness and clarity, as well as new measures to assist with their application and evaluation by government and industry.

The Premises Standards Review Report and the Government’s response can be accessed at the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science website

Development Assessment fees 2017-2018

The Construction Indices for 2017-18 have been gazetted (Government Gazette issue 21/2017) for adoption on 1 July 2017.

Building Advisory Notice 01/17 Minister's Schedule of Construction Indices 2017-18 has been prepared to assist with the conversion of the indices to a fee/sqm.

Further advice on the changes to the Schedule 6 fees and the subsequent Planning Advisory Notices 12a and 12b will be issued in due course.

Advisory Notices

Legislation Advisory Notice 01/17 - Development (Miscellaneous) Variation Regulations 2017

Legislation Advisory Notice 02/17 - Development (Low Impact Entertainment) Variation Regulations 2017

Building Advisory Notice 01/17 - Minister's Schedule of Construction Indices 2017-2018

Advisory Notices are available from the SA Planning Portal

OTR Regulation Roundup

The Office of the Technical Regulator (OTR) has published Issue #39 of the Regulation Roundup newsletter. For previous editions or to subscribe visit the Government of South Australia website

Want to stay in the loop?

The Planning and Development Directorate's Planning Ahead newsletter was launched in early March 2017. The newsletter is the latest communication tool for stakeholders in relation to the implementation of the Planning Reforms.

Planning Ahead e:newsletter - Edition 1 - 10 March 2017
Planning Ahead e:newsletter - Edition 2 - 31 March 2017

The newsletters will soon be available on the SA Planning Portal. If you are interested in receiving the Planning Ahead newsletter, you can subscribe via the SA Planning Portal