seacliff plaza stage 1consultation open
Public consultation on the Seacliff Plaza Stage 1 closed on 10 March. Stage 1 includes a new Amenities Building and Beach Access Redevelopment. Concept designs for the amenities building, to replace the existing public toilets at the Seacliff foreshore, features more toilets, change rooms with lockers, and outdoor public showers. An important aspect of the project would be an upgrade of the area surrounding the new amenities building, which will create continuous widened footpaths with more circulation space to improve access to the amenities area and beach for people with disabilities. The plans can be viewed at Seacliff Amenities Building and Beach Access Redevelopment | Your Holdfast.
Planning Eyesore in Wheatland St
You might ask "How could this be approved?"
The answer is, the State Government planning reform (see below) now has an online process which allows for approval without any local Council or community right to appeal - if the development is 'deemed to comply' - that is, meets certain criteria. This ugly shed development is proof that this approval process is flawed.
Your association, along with Community Alliance SA, and many local Councils have been lobbying for changes to the rules, so that this can't happen in the future.
The 5049 Coastal Community Association thanks the nearly 150 people who attended the shed protest meeting on 5 February, showing support for the affected neighbours. Channel 7 broadcast a news item on the 'eyesore', which was followed by a discussion on the ABC Adelaide Drivetime radio program.
Since the protest, we have been working on two fronts. Legal advice has been obtained regarding the approval of the shed, and whether it is being constructed in accordance with the approval. And the approval is being appealed in the Environment, Resources and Development Court.
The 5049 Coastal Community Association has met with local, State and Federal politicians to seek their support to change the planning legislation which has enabled this eyesore to be approved.
We also made a presentation to the State Planning Commission on 17 February, along with the Community Alliance of South Australia. The State Planning Commission is the state’s independent, principal planning body that provides advice and makes recommendations on the administration of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. It guides decision-making of state government, local government and community and business organisations with respect to planning, development and infrastructure provisions in South Australia. Once the Court case is finalised we are optimistic that any necessary changes to the legislation and approval processes will be made, to prevent eyesores like this happening elsewhere in the future
The answer is, the State Government planning reform (see below) now has an online process which allows for approval without any local Council or community right to appeal - if the development is 'deemed to comply' - that is, meets certain criteria. This ugly shed development is proof that this approval process is flawed.
Your association, along with Community Alliance SA, and many local Councils have been lobbying for changes to the rules, so that this can't happen in the future.
The 5049 Coastal Community Association thanks the nearly 150 people who attended the shed protest meeting on 5 February, showing support for the affected neighbours. Channel 7 broadcast a news item on the 'eyesore', which was followed by a discussion on the ABC Adelaide Drivetime radio program.
Since the protest, we have been working on two fronts. Legal advice has been obtained regarding the approval of the shed, and whether it is being constructed in accordance with the approval. And the approval is being appealed in the Environment, Resources and Development Court.
The 5049 Coastal Community Association has met with local, State and Federal politicians to seek their support to change the planning legislation which has enabled this eyesore to be approved.
We also made a presentation to the State Planning Commission on 17 February, along with the Community Alliance of South Australia. The State Planning Commission is the state’s independent, principal planning body that provides advice and makes recommendations on the administration of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. It guides decision-making of state government, local government and community and business organisations with respect to planning, development and infrastructure provisions in South Australia. Once the Court case is finalised we are optimistic that any necessary changes to the legislation and approval processes will be made, to prevent eyesores like this happening elsewhere in the future
Background
The Reforms South Australia has undergone the biggest modernisation of its planning system in 20 years with the implementation of planning reforms. The new planning system is underpinned by the new Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (the Act) which introduced a raft of new tools, including a 24/7 digital ePlanning system.
The Planning and Design Code is the cornerstone of South Australia's planning system and has replaced all council development plans to become the single source of planning policy for assessing development applications.
The planning system was implemented in three phases across South Australia, to support a smooth transition for councils, practitioners and the community.
With the implementation of each phase, relevant council Development Plans were retired and converted to the Planning and Design Code. The final phase of the reform (Urban) occurred on 19 March 2021.
South Australia now has:
PlanSA also has committed to a Community Engagement Charter which outlines the principles of good engagement that must be adhered to when developing or amending planning instruments. What the community says about the reforms? In a nutshell, the community is not happy. Despite the fine words in the Community Engagement Charter, these planning reforms have significantly reduced the opportunity for the local community and local Councils to ensure good planning decisions occur. Numerous local Councils and community associations wrote to PlanSA long before the reforms became law, seeking a delay in the implementation and changes to ensure greater local community involvement in planning decisions. A petition with nearly 14,000 signatures was delivered to the Planning Minister which led to a Legislative Review Committee Report on 17th November 2021. https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/en/Committees/Committees-Detail
Amongst its 14 recommendations, the Legislative Review Committee recommended that the Minister for Planning and Local Government establish an independent review of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 and the implementation of the Planning and Design Code to determine its impacts on community rights, sustainability and protection of the environment …… and that the review be tabled in both Houses of the Parliament by the close of 2022.
Your Association is working with the Community Alliance of South Australia to make sure that this happens, and hopefully avoid any more local eyesores!! Read CASA’s submission to the government here
The Reforms South Australia has undergone the biggest modernisation of its planning system in 20 years with the implementation of planning reforms. The new planning system is underpinned by the new Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (the Act) which introduced a raft of new tools, including a 24/7 digital ePlanning system.
The Planning and Design Code is the cornerstone of South Australia's planning system and has replaced all council development plans to become the single source of planning policy for assessing development applications.
The planning system was implemented in three phases across South Australia, to support a smooth transition for councils, practitioners and the community.
With the implementation of each phase, relevant council Development Plans were retired and converted to the Planning and Design Code. The final phase of the reform (Urban) occurred on 19 March 2021.
South Australia now has:
- State planning policies that establish good design outcomes
- Planning and Design Code of state-wide planning rules
- Design standards that improve the interface and connections between public and private land
- Design Review that ensures significant projects include quality design outcomes
- More opportunities for South Australians to help shape their community
- Communities can better engage with the planning system via practical tools and easy-to-understand information
- Simplified information to improve understanding of the planning system and encourage greater participation earlier in the planning process
- New planning rules with a focus on good design outcomes
- A renewed focus on creating buildings and places that meet the needs of people
- Raising the benchmark of South Australia's built environment and character
- Enhanced community understanding of the importance of good design
PlanSA also has committed to a Community Engagement Charter which outlines the principles of good engagement that must be adhered to when developing or amending planning instruments. What the community says about the reforms? In a nutshell, the community is not happy. Despite the fine words in the Community Engagement Charter, these planning reforms have significantly reduced the opportunity for the local community and local Councils to ensure good planning decisions occur. Numerous local Councils and community associations wrote to PlanSA long before the reforms became law, seeking a delay in the implementation and changes to ensure greater local community involvement in planning decisions. A petition with nearly 14,000 signatures was delivered to the Planning Minister which led to a Legislative Review Committee Report on 17th November 2021. https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/en/Committees/Committees-Detail
Amongst its 14 recommendations, the Legislative Review Committee recommended that the Minister for Planning and Local Government establish an independent review of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 and the implementation of the Planning and Design Code to determine its impacts on community rights, sustainability and protection of the environment …… and that the review be tabled in both Houses of the Parliament by the close of 2022.
Your Association is working with the Community Alliance of South Australia to make sure that this happens, and hopefully avoid any more local eyesores!! Read CASA’s submission to the government here
