The City of Adelaide has announced it made 38 recommendations to the State Government’s independent Planning System Implementation Review, following extensive community consultations with Councillors and two workshops.
According to the City Council, the new Planning System provides clarity to the community and developers and ensures the process supports quality and timely developments.
The Council said its review focused on several key opportunities to improve the planning system as it currently operated, specifically for the city and North Adelaide.
It said the new system would focus on the city centre with greater opportunities for the public and Council to appeal decisions.
“Additionally, it will include one Act for heritage protection, a policy to prevent premature demolition to avoid vacant blocks and an investment in greening to the futureproof tree canopy and cooling strategies,” the Council said.
Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said the review provided an important opportunity to refine the significant changes made to the planning and design code by the previous State Government.
“This was a chance for Council to hear the desires of our ratepayers who provided some strong feedback during community consultation, as well as expert advice on how the new system has been operating on a day-to-day basis,” the Lord Mayor said.
“One of the consistent themes emerging through this process has been the need for greater community involvement, both in the initial notification phase and then any subsequent appeals processes,” she said.
“We need a vision for the city and North Adelaide that balances progressive development with heritage protection while adhering to consistent design standards.”
Lord Mayer Lomax-Smith said the increasing population in the Adelaide CBD calls for a long-term planning strategy that complements Adelaide’s identity with the need for new and sustainable development.
The City Council’s 57-page submission to the Independent Planning System Implementation Review can be accessed at this PS News link.
