Government delays planning changes for three months after industry, community backlash
Development and community groups have claimed a big win with a major overhaul to SA’s planning laws delayed for three months after concerns it was being pushed through too fast.
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An overhaul of the state’s planning rules aimed at streamlining the complicated system will be delayed after backlash over the speed of the reforms.
The State Government will introduce legislation to push back the reforms by three months following concerns the new code was being rushed through and was riddled with mistakes.
Rural planning laws will now be implemented in July instead of April and metropolitan changes will take place in September.
Groups including the Housing Industry Association and Urban Development Institute of Australia contacted Planning Minister Stephan Knoll last year pleading for more time to understand the new rules.
They were briefed on the delay Friday morning.
Mr Knoll said the government was prepared to roll out the new code to deadline but it would be “counter-productive” to push ahead if the industry and community was not ready.
“I will be acting on the advice of the (State Planning) Commission to grant councils and the community more time to understand, prepare and become business ready before the new planning system,” he said.
“This is a generational reform of our planning system so if industry and the community want more time to get it right, then we are open to granting them that time.”
The housing industry association, development lobby, councils and residents’ groups have all called for the rollout to be pushed back.
The HIA wrote to Mr Knoll in November seeking a 12-month delay to the code.
“The Housing Industry Association is becoming increasingly more concerned that, with consultation not completed until the end of February and the final version of the code not being released until sometime after then, that industry participants will have little time to prepare for the proposed implementation,” executive director Stephen Knight wrote.
“Many of our members are already alarmed that commercial decisions they are making now, for projects that may not be lodged for development until after the 1 July, are being made without a clear understanding of the new code requirements.”
Mitcham Council outlined its concerns to planning commissioner Michael Lennon in a draft submission to be presented to council next week.
“The document does not appear to be at a stage that was suitable for consultation and it is clearly evident more time and detailed analysis/proof reading was required,” it said.
“In addition, releasing an amended version during the consultation period was an unusual and somewhat confusing procedure, especially as this document referred to changed, or incorrect general policy provisions.”
Resident’s group Protect Our Heritage Alliance has been campaigning against the rollout of the code.
The organisation, established last year amid concern over impacts of the code on historic suburbs, has garnered 5000 signatures to a petition for it to be reviewed and “reconstructed”.
Group convenor Warren Jones has cautiously welcomed the government’s delay but believed the decision could be linked to implementation of an e-planning system, which would allow people to check planning controls for their area via an online portal.
“They can’t release the code without that being up and running,” Mr Jones said.
“The department is in a mess and the e-planning is the basis for this mess.”
DPTI’s state planning reform director Marcus Bal, who was employed last February to oversee the e-planning system, quit the agency last week.
He declined to speak to The Advertiser when contacted this week.
Local Government Association state preisdent Sam Telfer said councils are pleased with the deferral.
“More time gives us greater optimism and confidence that the new planning system will help councils deliver better planning outcomes,” he said.
“We’re hoping that this resets the conversation, and we’re looking forward to working with the Government, industry and community to get these reforms right.”
Opposition planning spokesman Tony Piccolo said the delay was a “humiliating backflip”.
“Councils are concerned that the eplanning system is not finished, making it near
impossible to determine whether the code’s policy content is accurate, or whether it
threatens the built environment of their communities,” he said.