When submitting a development application, Council often requests additional information to ensure compliance with planning regulations. This article discusses three aspects of common developments that are missed by design professionals, leading to delays in your development approvals: driveway design, site facilities, and tree and vegetation management. Understanding these requirements early can help streamline the approval process, reduce delays, and prevent Requests for Documentation (RFD) or Requests for Information (RFI) from Councils.

Requirements for Driveway Design

Driveway design is a critical component of any development application and is often underestimated during the early planning stages. A well-designed driveway not only ensures safe and practical vehicle access but also plays a key role in meeting council planning requirements and avoiding unnecessary delays.

Before lodging an application, we, as planning consultants, carefully review the proposed driveway design and make any necessary amendments. Where required, we also assess whether a traffic study will be needed for the development and engage with traffic engineers as appropriate. This proactive approach helps to significantly reduce delays after lodgement and minimises the likelihood of receiving additional Requests for Information (RFIs) from the council.

However, in some cases, clients prefer to lodge the application first and address amendments during the assessment process. While this approach may be suitable in certain situations, it can often lead to major problems. Major amendments are often required, costing you precious time and adding to mounting development costs while also extending approval timeframes. What may seem like a simple fix down the road, can cause big headaches.

Under the Design in Urban Areas Policies, driveway design is not only about providing vehicle access,  it is also about protecting the streetscape, pedestrian safety, and existing street infrastructure. The policies aim to ensure that driveways allow safe entry and exit while leaving enough space within the verge for street trees, footpaths, landscaping, waste collection, and on-street parking. Our process ensures your proposal achieves the required policies in order to streamline planning assessments.

For multiple dwelling community title development or development facing to major roads, policies take on more complexity. These projects require specialist advice and consultation prior to submission. Without this, you risk refusal or total redesign in order to comply with strict requirements for parking, internal traffic manoeuvring and access off major roads.

Site Facilities

Site facilities and infrastructure integral for the functionality of developments are often missed during the design phase of development proposals. Particularly for higher density proposals such as group, row, terrace dwellings and residential flat buildings showing these facilities is a must. We have noticed that many architects and designers omit these details from their plans, which leads to requests from Council that could be easily avoided.

Councils frequently request that plans include suitable waste storage areas and waste collection points, Additionally, clotheslines, mailbox facilities, and the locations of gas and water meters should also be indicated. If you are unsure what is required to be provided on your architectural plans in order to streamline your assessment, book a preliminary planning assessment with us now. What may take us only a couple hours to identify could saves you a lot of time during the planning assessment process.

Tree and Vegetation Requirements

Did you know that all regulated or significant trees within 15 metres of your land should be reviewed and detailed within your development application. The maximum protection zone around significant trees is 15 metres radius, meaning trees well away from your property boundary can affect your development proposal. The impact of trees on development is often misunderstood and can significantly impact on your development outcomes. Furthermore, this is a common request from Council assessors during the assessment process.

All regulated trees to be removed, damaged, or retained must be clearly marked. Protection Zones must be identified as well as any possible encroachments so that a full and accurate assessment can be made. Read our article about regulated and significant trees in South Australia for more detailed information on how tree protection rules apply to development sites and when council approval is required.

If a Native Vegetation Overlay applies and there is no remnant native vegetation on the site, a signed Native Vegetation Declaration should be provided. Otherwise, if any remnant native vegetation is present and proposed to be removed, a Native Vegetation Report may be required. In many cases, clients who submit an application without this report are later requested to provide it as part of the documentation.

Need Assistance to begin with your application or response to the Request for documentation or request for information?

CPD specialises in guiding landowners, developers, and investors across South Australia. We draw on our experience from handling more than 500 projects to date. We provide tailored assessments, site specific planning advice, and full development application management services to help you achieve compliant and viable outcomes while minimising delays during the council assessment process. If you’re unsure how planning requirements affect your property or need expert assistance to navigate a project through council, we’re here to provide clear guidance and support every step of the way, get in touch with us today.

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