Proposed statewide planning reform puts heritage buildings at risk, Local Government Association says

Rushed, weaker statewide planning laws would put thousands of historic SA buildings at risk, the LGA says.

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The protection of heritage buildings would be weakened under proposed statewide planning reforms, say councils who have also attacked a lack of “meaningful” consultation in shaping the state’s new planning system.

The Local Government Association is concerned that heritage policies proposed under a new planning system would not provide the same level of protection for thousands of historic buildings presently afforded various levels of demolition protection under council development plans.

The LGA — in a draft response to heritage overhaul expected to be officially endorsed by its executive next month — says despite evidence of the economic benefit of heritage, that the planning reforms gave an “overall impression of weakening of heritage conversation policy”.

“One reason for the impression of weakening of heritage protections is the absence of policy detail,” it says.

“The resulting uncertainty not only could enable valuable heritage to be lost, but leaves councils to face members of the community concerned about policy changes without clear information to provide.”

The LGA says specific concern was the future of the 11,810 so-called contributory items.

Under the reforms contributory items will no longer exist as a category of heritage protection but the State Planning Commission has said that the majority of the buildings would be protected under new local heritage policies, which would replace existing historic conservation zones.

“However, at present, there are no indications that Overlay policies will provide the same level of heritage protection for these areas as the applicable policies in current Development Plans provide, and there is significant concern amongst councils that they will not,” the LGA says.

The LGA has also hit out at consultation for the new planning system, which would replace 72 council development plans with a single design rule book.

“Often consultation materials have been provided without sufficient time or detail to enable a proper analysis of the impact upon councils and their communities, and with little opportunity to influence outcomes,” it says.

“Overall the process has missed a rare opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue … to help shape a planning system that will serve all South Australians for years to come.”

Commission chair Michael Lennon said the commission was committed to sorting out “widespread confusion” in the current planning system.

“The commission’s ambition is to have a clear and consistent set of planning rules that are easy to understand for all South Australians,” he said.

“In this way, the commission’s proposed changes to heritage and character will bring consistency and fairness to the planning system and to all landowners, regardless of where they live.”