FAQs
What are the State Planning Policies (SPPs)?
South Australia’s 16 SPPs are the highest order policy documents in the state’s planning system.
SPPs guide the strategic direction of planning and how the planning system is used in SA. SPPs provide the policy framework for other planning instruments such as the Planning and Design Code, regional plans and design standards.
The government can ensure that SPPs respond to modern challenges by updating them to include matters that are relevant to planning or development.
The State Planning Policies have held us in good stead through the preparation of the Planning and Design Code, driving much of the content for the overlays. The SPPs are also playing a critical leading role as we prepare the 7 new regional plans across the State.
What is the purpose of State Planning Policy 1: Integrated Planning?
SPP1 coordinates the strategic use of land with necessary services and infrastructure. It influences how a city or region grows and creates liveable and sustainable places that contribute to its prosperity.
The integration of land use, transport and infrastructure planning enables us to address longer term challenges and opportunities by working towards a common vision. This approach guides strategic decision making regarding where growth should occur, what needs to be conserved, the location of activity centres, strategic transport and other infrastructure. These shape how a place works and where employment housing and transport infrastructure will be located.
Good integrated planning will also enable us to adapt to change. We face many challenges, for example, an ageing population, impacts of climate change, advances in technology, new business formats, and evolving community needs and expectations.
Why is State Planning Policy 1 being amended?
The planning skills shortage is a critical concern for the state.
South Australia needs qualified planning professionals so that we can deal with challenges like housing affordability, population growth, and the transition to a net-zero emissions future.
To address this problem, the Commission has proposed an amendment to State Planning Policy 1: Integrated Planning (SPP1) that states:
Provide an effective, efficient and enabling planning system that is well resourced with qualified professionals to support development, investment and good planning outcomes.
The proposed amendment addresses the long-term resourcing and provision of skills required to service our planning system and aims to support and enhance SA’s future planning capabilities.
Aside from SPP1, will any of the other State Planning Policies be affected under this proposed amendment?
No, no other State Planning Policies will be changed as part of this proposed amendment.
Implementation of the SPPs through both the preparation of the Code and the Regional Planning Program have found the policies to be comprehensive and robust. No further changes are proposed at this time.
Aside from the new Policy 1.12, are any other amendments proposed for SPP1?
Other associated minor amendments are proposed to ensure the language of the new policy is consistently applied throughout the SPP.
The wording of the amendments was guided by the Objects of the Act in section 12 and the Principles of Good Planning in section 14 of the Act.
You can see all the proposed amendments in the SPP1 proposed amendments document.
What else is being done about the planning skills shortage?
The Minister for Planning’s Built Environment Education Taskforce (BEET) brings together key stakeholders to build study pathways and support industry growth.
Since its establishment, the BEET’s advocacy has resulted in Flinders University introducing a new Bachelor of Surveying, as well as TAFE SA expanding its tertiary options with a new planning diploma amid strong demand.
BEET will continue its work to create new education opportunities to help address the skills shortage, but there is still more work to be done.
