About Planning SA

Planning SA is the State Government's advisory agency on land use planning, development policy and strategy, the building code, and urban design and open space policy.

Planning SA provides advice to the Minister for Urban Development and Planning, works closely with other State Government agencies and local government, and liaises with key stakeholder groups. Planning SA also assists the Minister for Urban Development and Planning in the administration of the Development Act and related legislation.

Our Services

Planning SA's key service areas include:

Strategic Planning

This service:

  • Coordinates the review of the Planning Strategy for the State Government and facilitates the implementation of the policies within the Strategy 
  • Works with councils on strategic planning within the framework set by the Planning Strategy
  • Develops strategic policies for consideration by Government, including those relating to residential and industrial land development, and 
  • Prepares policies on regional open space and urban design and advises on grants to councils to implement these policies.

Policy Development

This service:

  • Advises councils and the Minister on council initiated amendments to Development Plans (PARs)
  • Advises the Minister on Ministerial initiated amendments to Development Plans (PARs), and assists the Development Policy Advisory Committee to conduct the consultation processes on such PARs
  • Liaises with councils on implementing the Better Development Plans project, and 
  • Establishes and reviews building rule policies and procedures.

Development Assessment

This service:

  • Is responsible to the Minister for managing the Major Developments assessment process, and 
  • Makes recommendations to the Development Assessment Commission (DAC) on specified development applications and provides building rules assessment for the Commission for out of council areas.

Information Services

This service:

  • conducts spatial planning analysis and research essential to urban and regional planning (such as population and land monitoring).
  • provides guidelines and information material in both electronic and paper format, including maps.