Assessment Improvements Code Amendment

On 15 January 2026, the Assessment Improvements Code Amendment (ID 10048) came into operation under South Australia’s Planning and Design Code (PlanSA). These technical amendments aim to improve clarity, consistency, and interpretation of planning policies across the state. Rather than introducing major new planning directions, the updates refine how the Code is applied in practice, supporting fairer, more transparent, and more predictable development assessment outcomes.

1. Rules of Interpretation – Clearer Assessment Framework

What Changed?

Under the Code’s old interpretation rules, a relevant authority (e.g. a council or assessment panel) could only apply policies that appeared in Table 3 for a development type in a particular zone, to the exclusion of all other policies, even if those other policies were relevant in context. 

The amendment now allows:

• • • The policies listed in Table  3 still form the applicable policies for the development being assessed.

• • • But a relevant authority is now allowed to consider other Code provisions for contextual interpretation during assessment, even if they’re not in Table 3.

• • • Policies outside Table 3 cannot be used as the basis for approving or refusing a development, they’re only for context.

This update reflects judicial guidance (including the Geber decision), which recognised that ignoring relevant Code provisions created unnecessary rigidity.

Why It Matters

• It improves fairness and transparency in assessments by ensuring authorities can contextualise decisions without turning every possible Code policy into a binding test for every development.

2. Spatial Mapping Updates – Minister’s Determination

Who it affects:

• Planners, councils, and developers who rely on overlays and Concept Plans to assess development applications.

• Government agencies and infrastructure providers whose projects may trigger updates to the spatial mapping.

What changed:

• The Minister can now update the spatial application of overlays and Concept Plans under section 71(e) of the Planning Design and Infrastructure Act 2016

• Updates take effect when published on the SA Planning Portal and added to the SA Planning Database.

• Overlays and Concept Plans can be updated to reflect:

• • • Changes to infrastructure delivery schemes or substantially commenced development

• • • Alterations to roads, railways, tunnels, pipelines, and transport routes

• • • Updates related to heritage, shipwrecks, or environmental overlays

• • • Concept Plans in Part 12 of the Code

• Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Overlay	Historic Shipwrecks Overlay
  Aircraft Noise Exposure Overlay	Gas and Liquid Petroleum Pipelines Overlay
  Airport Building Heights (Regulated) Overlay	Gas and Liquid Petroleum Pipelines (Facilities) Overlay
  Building Near Airfields Overlay	Tunnel Protection Overlay
  Defence Aviation Area Overlay	Concept Plans (Part 12 of the Code)
  Heritage Adjacency Overlay

• Updates may incorporate agreements or deeds with government agencies or councils relating to infrastructure.

Why it matters:

• Ensures spatial mapping is current and accurate, reflecting real-world development and infrastructure.
• Supports consistent, efficient, and transparent assessment of development applications.
• Reduces the risk of misaligned planning decisions due to outdated overlays or Concept Plans.

3. Administrative Terms and Definitions

Building Height – Measurement Point

• • • Maximum vertical distance between the reference point (ground, finish ground level or Code-specified) and the highest roof point.

• • • Excludes antennas, lift overruns, maintenance stairwells, and certain structures (e.g., telecom towers, flues, electricity poles).

Primary Street

• Defines the primary street as:

• • The only road a site fronts – that road is the primary street.

• • Two or more roads – The road the building principally faces.

• • Principal faces is determined based on design, front entry, windows, setbacks. 

• Corner cut-offs are generally ignored for setback measurement.

Secondary Street

• Any road not defined as primary.

• Corner cut-offs are ignored for setbacks unless the building would otherwise fall inside the corner area.

Excluded Building

• Buildings or structures that do not contribute to heritage value in:

• • State Heritage Areas

• • Historic Area Overlays (ancillary or non-character-defining)

• • Sites with State/Local Heritage Places but not part of the official listing

• Does not include elements specifically listed as Local or State Heritage Places.

Why it matters:

• Provides clarity and consistency 

• Reduces disputes and uncertainty 

• Improves heritage assessments by clearly identifying which buildings or structures require notification, focusing attention on elements of true heritage value.

• Supports fair and predictable planning outcomes, ensuring setbacks, building heights, and heritage considerations are applied consistently across projects.

4. Land Use Definitions

New Land Use Definitions:

• • • Trade Training Facility – Recognises specialized facilities for vocational and skills training.

• • • Emergency Services Facility – Defines facilities for fire, ambulance, police, or other emergency services.

Amended Land Use Definitions:

• • • Personal or Domestic Services Establishment – Updated to clarify what activities are included.

• • • Workers’ Accommodation – Refined to better define temporary or permanent workforce housing.

• • • Commercial Forestry – Adjusted to clarify forestry-activities.

• • • Educational Facility – Clarifies the scope of facilities, excluding trade training facilities.

Why it matters:

• Improves assessment clarity by clearly defining land uses in the Code.

• Reduces ambiguity for planners and developers when categorizing developments.

• Supports consistent decision making under the Planning and Design Code, aligning assessments with real world land use activities.

5. Targeted Policy Updates – New Changes

Local Heritage Place Overlay – Demolition Policy

Demolition of a Local Heritage Place is only permitted where the portion proposed for removal:

• has no identified heritage value; or

• is structurally unsound, beyond repair, and presents an unacceptable safety risk.

Why this matters:

This clarification strengthens heritage protection by limiting demolition to clearly defined circumstances, reducing ambiguity in assessment and reinforcing conservation outcomes.

Covered Car Parks – Transport Access and Parking (Table 1 Amendment)

Amendment:
The requirement stating “1 of which is to be covered” has been removed from all residential parking provisions. Under the revised policy, required parking spaces may now be provided as uncovered spaces.

Why this matters:

This provides greater design flexibility for residential development, reduces construction costs, and allows alternative built form outcomes while still meeting parking requirements.

Design Policies – Definition and Treatment of Uncovered Car Parking

Updated Policy Direction:

Uncovered parking spaces must:

• be designed to allow for future covering; and
• ensure any future structure does not dominate the dwelling’s appearance when viewed from the street.

Why this matters:

This balances flexibility (allowing uncovered parking) with streetscape protection, ensuring future carports or garages do not negatively impact visual amenity.

Location and Setback Requirements for Uncovered Parking

The amendment clarifies siting requirements where no covered space is provided:

• Where one car park is required and provided as uncovered:
  The space must be located behind the main face of the building or comply with the prescribed minimum setback.
• Where two car parks are required and both are uncovered:
  At least one space must be located behind the main face of the building or comply with the prescribed setback.

• Where two spaces are provided in tandem arrangement:
  A minimum setback of 5.5 metres from the street frontage boundary is required.

Why this matters:

These provisions protect streetscape character, prevent excessive paving in front yards, and maintain adequate vehicle manoeuving space while accommodating flexible parking solutions.

Community Title Land Division

New PO 2.9 introduced:
Provides assessment criteria for community title and strata title divisions, including consideration of:

• common driveway design and function
• utilities and service infrastructure
• letterboxes and bin storage
• landscaping
• ongoing maintenance responsibilities

Why this matters:

This ensures consistent and practical design outcomes for shared property developments, improving functionality, service access, and long-term management of common areas.

Car Parking Rates – Transport Access and Parking Policy (PO 5.1)

Amendment:

A new factor has been added to support a reduction in on-site parking requirements:

• proximity to high-frequency public transport.

Why this matters:

This supports sustainable transport outcomes, encourages transit oriented development, and reduces unnecessary on-site parking where strong public transport alternatives exist.

Staying Ahead of Planning and Development Changes

At Certified Planning and Development we actively monitor amendments to South Australia’s Planning and Design Code, including technical updates such as the Assessment Improvements Code Amendment.

Planning policy is constantly evolving, and even minor technical refinements can significantly influence development feasibility, design outcomes, approval pathways, and project timelines.

Our team stays up to date with all planning changes, ensuring our advice remains accurate, strategic, and aligned with the most current planning framework.

Whether you are lodging a development application, reviewing project feasibility, or navigating complex assessment pathways, we provide guidance that reflects the latest regulatory environment,  not outdated policy settings.

If you would like to understand how recent Planning and Design Code changes may affect your project, please contact our team for tailored advice.

To follow along and find out more about planning issues, hear client stories or learn more about the development process make sure to read our online stories and follow any of our social media channels to stay updated. We are waiting for your call for assistance on any project requiring a planning and development consultant.