State Planning Commission chair Michael Lennon to leave post after delivering final phase of state’s planning reform

The head of the State Planning Commission has announced his surprise resignation.

State Planning Commission chief Michael Lennon will step down after

South Australia’s planning and development advisory chief will quit his post once the state’s new planning system takes full effect.

State Planning Commission chair Michael Lennon has advised Planning Minister Vickie Chapman he will step down on March 19 coinciding with the final rollout of the state’s planning and design code and online planning portal.

Mr Lennon – who is an inaugural member of the commission and has been chair since October 2018 – will be replaced by current commissioner Helen Dyer.

Mr Lennon will concentrate on his role as managing director of not-for-profit social housing provider Housing Choices Australia.

“For close to four years it has been my privilege to serve South Australia in delivering these important (planning) reforms,” he said.

“Upon the ‘go-live’ date, this task is largely complete and a new phase will start.”

Under his leadership the commission has overseen the staggered rollout of a new planning system across South Australia culminating with metropolitan Adelaide and major regional towns from Friday having to use the new planning and design code and an ePlanning portal.

Helen Dyer will become the new State Planning Commission chair.

The code introduces new planning zones across Adelaide, supersedes all council development plans and is aimed at streamlining and standardising development processes.

But there has been grievances that the new code will allow more housing subdivision, reduce appeal rights for neighbours and allow commercial development in residential streets.

Ms Chapman said that Mr Lennon’s leadership had played an “important role” in finalising the code and e-planning system.

Former Planning Minister Stephan Knoll said Mr Lennon’s efforts would ensure SA had the “most streamlined planning system” in Australia which would “facilitate investment for years to come”.

“It is sad to see Michael go but I want to thank him for his time, energy, experience and his strategic foresight,” he said.

Ms Dyer started her career as a planner in Darwin, before returning to South Australia where she worked in state and local government, including stints as chief executive of the Walkerville and Mitcham councils.

In 2016 she joined forces with Stephen Holmes to establish planning consultancy Holmes Dyer.