Planning Reform

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (14:21): My question is to the Minister for Planning. Minister, how is the government implementing planning reforms to develop prosperity and growth in South Australia?

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: Yes?

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Standing order No. 97: the question contained a great deal of argument.

The SPEAKER: I seem to recall some earlier questions containing a fair bit of argument, too.

Mr Gardner: Nobody complained, sir.

The SPEAKER: Well, that makes all the difference. The member for Morialta said no-one—

Mr Odenwalder: I am happy to rephrase it, sir.

The SPEAKER: Rephrase it? Yes.

Mr ODENWALDER: Can the Minister for Planning explain the government's planning reforms and their effect in South Australia?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Child Protection Reform, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for Consumer and Business Services, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:22): Thank you, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: I hope that doesn't wrong-foot you.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Mr Speaker, they obviously don't want to hear the good news. First of all, can I thank the honourable member for his question. Planning reform is one of the most significant reforms we have been able to achieve in recent times. Although, of course, the passage of the legislation was inexorably slow, we have now succeeded—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: We have now succeeded in passing it. The reference by the interjectors to amendments moved by the government is only a demonstration of the extent to which our consultative processes were thoroughly exploring all of the issues. We were prepared to consider every proposition; some of them were acceptable. We make no apology for accepting some changes. A couple of them would have been better if we hadn't had to accept them, but there you are—life is like that.

So, what are we going to expect out of this? The first thing is we are going to see a more certain and more secure development environment in South Australia. One of the issues that I have had mentioned to me on many occasions is the fact that investors often say that they would rather an early yes or an early no than a very, very long maybe. That seems to have been a common complaint about the system that we have had. I can say with confidence that the new system will be capable of delivering those early answers. The new system will be capable of doing those things.

The other thing is the new system is underpinned by two significant, completely new pillars of thinking. The first one of those relates to the central part that good design plays in good planning. I have spoken to many people in the community about some of the rezones we have done. The member for Bragg may be pleased to know that I have gone out and spoken to some of her constituents about rezones which impacted on the beautiful municipality of Burnside. After speaking to the good people of Burnside about their complaints or concerns, it became clear to me that they were not people who resisted change; they were not Luddites.

They weren't people who weren't interested in living in a more vibrant community, but what they were interested in was excellent design. They were interested in the buildings that were being placed in their communities, being buildings that worked in the community in which they were going and buildings that added value and didn't detract from amenity. Of course, who could disagree with that? Because of some of those conversations, because of some of the—

The SPEAKER: And the minister has been to Woodville Park.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Indeed, and I can say, Mr Speaker, that recently the Speaker asked me and some members of the department to come and visit a constituent of his who has complained to me personally about some of the impacts of interface issues, and these are important issues as well. So, there will be a central concept of good design.

The second central concept is community engagement. What we want to have is the community engaged early so that people are putting their views into the planning system at the beginning, not right at the end when you are applying to build a garage, or a carport, or a pergola, or, indeed, a fence. These are the main elements, but of course I know those opposite are wondering, 'Well, what are we going to see next?'

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Well, here's a few things you can expect to see next.

The SPEAKER: Before we get to what we can expect to see, in the one second you have remaining, under standing order 141 I call the member for Chaffey and the Treasurer to order.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: What for?

The SPEAKER: Quarrels. Has the minister finished?

The Hon. J.R. RAU: I can say a lot more, Mr Speaker, but I fear my time has gone.

The SPEAKER: The leader.