The 3 key changes to South Australia’s Planning & Design Code (and how they’ll affect your Adelaide Hills property).
On March 19th, new changes came into effect to update South Australia’s planning system. More changes are expected to come over the next few months, with the intention of making the application process clearer and more consistent for South Australians wanting to build or renovate their property.
Vicki Dackiw, from one of Nitschke’s trusted partners Form 1 Matters, kindly gave us her time and bring us up to speed on how the new changes will affect homeowners in the Adelaide Hills. This is an important read for people looking to start their house for sale search in the Adelaide Hills.
There are massive changes in Form 1 search conveyancing and landscaping, with the new Planning and Design Code now operational across our state. This included many planning reforms and amendments to the Form 1 document.
It replaces the Development Act 1993 and is underpinned by the Planning, Development and Instrastructure Act 2016. Vicki says it’s going to be great for our state moving forward. “It will modernise the planning and development system with an online process for applications and information.”
“We’re going to see consistent planning policies being implemented and development within the state will be regulated. The Code will replace development proposals in council and act as a single source of planning policy for assessing applications in South Australia,” she added.
The updates to Form 1 will ensure compliancy.
So, what are the three major changes to Form 1?
While we can expect to see more updates in July, here are the three parts of the form that have changed:
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Section 24A now includes PDI Act information. As for zoning, this will be slightly different as it’s now under the new Code instead of the previous Act. Because every council has its own ways of applying zoning, this should make it more consistent across the state (and hopefully, easier to understand).
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The disclosure of information of Form 1, specifically aluminium composite cladding panels. The Government has identified the dangers of this material and in order to reduce the risk, require people to mark ‘yes’ or ‘no’ if they have this cladding in the vendor questionnaire.
The good news is you don’t have to work this out for yourself. The surveryor general will advise you. Most Adelaide Hills property homeowners don’t need to worry about this, because it’s mainly apartment buildings, churches and schools that house aluminium composite cladding panels.
- And lastly, the significant trees on a property. Vendors will be asked to list whether there’s a significant tree on the premises – with a ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘unknown.’
Your Form 1 ‘coach’
As a homeowner, you’re not expected to be savvy with all of this and well-versed on Form 1. Exactly why our real estate agents always recommend using professionals to prepare the form.
Form 1 Matters can coach you through it and help you understand exactly what you’re signing, as it’s not a straightforward document. And for the purchaser, it’s also important to take it to a conveyancer and have them run through it to query, during the cooling off period.
Form 1 Matters will coach you through the entire process. This isn’t something you need to try to work out yourself. Call Vicki at Form 1 Matters on 8223 1392. And in the meantime, check out this fantastic resource by Plan SA on all-things development. Our real estate agents are here, if and when, you need.
