Development Application Process

Before an application is considered formally lodged and ready for assessment it is checked over through a verification process. This process checks details such as whether Planning Consent is required, who the relevant authority is (Council, Plan SA or Council Assessment Panel), have the correct documents been provided?

At the end of the verification process you will receive an email from the Plan SA portal requesting a payment to formally commence the assessment process. Once this payment is made your application is considered formally lodged and assessment will commence.

A development application's journey through the approval process is determined by its assessment pathway. The required pathway will determine who undertakes the assessment, how long it will take and the information required to make the assessment. There are four assessment pathways:

• Exempt development - are minor projects that don't require any approval, for example a new fence or a garden shed.
• Accepted development - includes minor and standard applications which will need no approval or building consent only. For example, a shed may require no planning or building consent and a shop fit out may require building consent only.
• Code assessed development - includes applications which will be assessed on their merit against the Planning and Design Code and are either deemed-to-satisfy development or performance assessed development.
  • Deemed-to-satisfy developments are straightforward and envisaged for their proposed location.
  • Performance assessed developments are generally more complex in nature but envisaged for their proposed location. These developments may involve further information requests, public notification or referrals as part of their assessment.
    
• Impact assessed development - is likely to be large major developments. These developments are subject to an Environmental Impact Statement which will include a full analysis of a wide range of environmental, social or economic effects associated with the development and how those effects are to be managed.

As we work through your application we may identify areas where further information will assist our assessment. Requests for further information will be sent to you via an email from the PlanSA portal. In some instances we may be unable to proceed with your assessment until we have the additional information so it is important you keep an eye on your emails and respond as quickly as possible.

Unlike the Adelaide metropolitan area, the sewer infrastructure in the Adelaide Hills is limited. Some townships have Community Wastewater Management Systems (CWMS) whilst the remaining properties have (or require) on-site wastewater systems.

Extending your house doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be need to upgrade your wastewater system. If you are only undertaking minor alterations (and additions) and the existing system is working satisfactorily then you are only required to lodge an application with the council if there are any changes to the sanitary plumbing (drains).

If your additions/alterations are significant and result in your house offering increased accommodation (e.g. more people could live in the house), or spa bath(s) are intended, or the system is already failing or will be too small — then an upgrade of the on-site wastewater system will be required. In this instance a wastewater works application will be required for the new sanitary drainage and waste system.

Before Planning Consent can be granted the new wastewater system or alteration to existing systems will require approval.

Further information and application form

Some applications require public notification as part of their assessment. This provides an opportunity for neighbours and other interested parties to provide comment relating to planning matters regarding your application such as noise, overlooking and safety. You will then be asked to consider any concerns raised and if possible make changes to your development to address these concerns.

The public notification of a development is the one and only opportunity that neighbours and the general community have to lodge a submission (supporting or opposing the development) during the specified public notification period. Representations can be submitted online on the PlanSA Portal (through the Current Notified Developments link) or in hardcopy to the Council before the close date of the public notification. Representations should the reasons for submission, outline concerns and how these might be overcome (if at all). They also need to state whether the person wishes to address the Council Assessment Panel in relation to their representation. Should a person be undecided on whether they wish to be heard the recommended default position is to choose yes. A representation also needs to include the name, address, email address and contact phone number of the person making the representation and to be received by the Council by the close of the public notification to be valid. A copy of all submissions must be provided by Council to the applicant and the applicant has the opportunity to prepare a response in relation to these.

For further assistance, contact a member of our friendly planning team.

Current applications on Public Notification

In the Adelaide Hills applications will often require external referrals for matters that other authorities have control over. For example, if relevant the Environment Protection Agency will examine how air quality, noise, radiation, site contamination, waste, wastewater and water quality are addressed in your application. The CFS will assess and provide advice on the bushfire safety of your chosen location.

If your application was a performance assessed development, publicly notified and received opposing representors then the Council Assessment Panel (CAP) will be assessing your application.

More information about Council Assessment Panel

At the end of the assessment process, a decision is granted or refused and you will receive a decision notification form (DNF) via the PlanSA Portal. The DNF will outline any conditions you will need to fulfill as part of your consent.

If you disagree with a decision or condition about a development you may be able to seek a review or lodge an appeal against that decision. To request a review please complete and submit the Decision and Review Request form.

Decision Review Request form

When lodging a development application you can elect to have your building rules assessment undertaken and approved by either a private building certifier or through Council's building team.

Verification is the process of checking and verifying the information and documentation provided in order to determine whether building consent is required.

At the end of the verification process you will receive an email from the Plan SA portal advising the outcome of the verification process and requesting a payment to formally commence the building rules assessment process. Once this payment is made building rules assessment will commence.

As we work through your application we may identify areas where further information will assist our assessment. Requests for further information will be sent to you via an email from the PlanSA portal. In some instances we may be unable to proceed with your assessment until we have the additional information so it is important you keep an eye on your emails and respond as quickly as possible.

At the end of the assessment process, a decision is granted or refused and you will receive a decision notification form (DNF) via the PlanSA Portal. The DNF will outline any conditions you will need to fulfill as part of your consent.

After full development approval is granted, the issued Decision Notification Form (DNF) will list the mandatory building notifications and timeframes that are required to be submitted.

During the construction of the building or building works, you and/or your builder can submit the mandatory building notifications to council by selecting the Submit Mandatory building notification option via the Your Applications dashboard on the PlanSA Portal.

If you do not submit your Mandatory notification within the prescribed timeframe, you may be liable for an expiation and can affect your application for a Certificate of Occupancy.

A Certificate of Occupancy is required for all new buildings (and building work where applicable) but excludes Class 10 structures such as sheds, carports, verandahs and the like. The purpose of this Certificate is to provide assurance to the owner that the building that has been constructed is suitable for occupancy.

The Decision Notification Form will list whether a Certificate is necessary for the approved development and who will be issuing it – either the building certifier who approved the building plans or the local council. The Certificate will be issued electronically via the PlanSA portal.

The Building Fire Safety Committee is responsible for ensuring that the level of fire safety within existing buildings is maintained to a satisfactory level.

The Building Fire Safety Committee consists of a person with building surveying qualifications and a person with expertise in the area of fire safety, along with a representative from the South Australian Country Fire Service. The committee meets regularly to undertake inspections of buildings within the Council area and, where necessary, will request that the level of fire safety within buildings be upgraded to a satisfactory standard.

The level of upgrades required depends on a variety of factors, including the use, age and size of a building as well as changing legislation.

The Building Fire Safety Committee targets buildings based on a risk management approach. In general, the committee focuses on the following building types:

• Aged care and supported residential facilities
• Hotels/motels and other accommodation buildings
• Buildings where large numbers of people may congregate
• Warehouses, factories, shops, offices and other commercial buildings