BULKY GOODS RETAIL OUTLETS

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:38): My question is to the Minister for Urban Development and Planning. Will the minister please outline state government initiatives to provide clarity and certainty to local government, business and residents concerning the development processes for so-called bulky goods outlets?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (14:39): I recently announced changes to provide local government with clarity and certainty for their treatment of the so-called bulky goods retail outlets. In recent times, councils across South Australia have used different policy definitions for what is described as a bulky goods retail outlet, as part of their development assessment processes.

With a view to providing clarity and certainty concerning bulky goods retailing in South Australia, a review was undertaken last year of the relevant legal definitions provided by the Development Act 1993 and its associated regulations. The independent Development Policy Advisory Committee launched this review by publishing for public comment, in accordance with section 5 of the Development Act, draft amendments to relevant definitions provided by schedule 1 of the development regulations. Having considered the advice provided by the independent Development Policy Advisory Committee in respect of the public comments it had received on this draft set of amendments, I gazetted a new set of definitions on 18 February this year.

On 28 April this year, I initiated the statewide bulky goods development plan amendment to amend those development plans that contain policy that is inconsistent with the new set of definitions. Changes to the development regulations introduced on 1 June this year clarify the definitions for bulky goods outlets or retail showrooms, service trade premises and shops, with more products and services included within the classification of bulky goods retailing. The amended definitions were specifically introduced to respond to the growth of bulky goods retailing in South Australia as distinct from more traditional retail outlets.

Bulky goods retailing has traditionally been associated with the sale of whitegoods and electrical appliances. The expansion of the definition through this policy change means that a range of outlets, commonly referred to as bulky goods outlets, retailing such products as hardware and animal and pet supplies, for example, can also be defined with consistency as bulky goods retailing.

As part of the growing trend in bulky goods retailing in recent years, we have also experienced an increased number of so-called 'homemaker centres'. This segment of the retail sector across South Australia is expected to continue to grow. The policy changes as outlined in the statewide bulky goods development plan amendment are consistent with the recent development regulation changes to ensure more consistent assessment of bulky goods development in councils' development plans throughout the state.

The statewide bulky goods development plan amendment provides changes to ensure all South Australian councils apply the same set of criteria when assessing applications to develop bulky goods retail outlets. The development plan changes have been published for public comment, and the plan is currently undergoing eight weeks of community consultation. Members of the public, industry and community associations, government agencies, local councils, and other interested parties, are invited to lodge submissions on the development plan amendment by 5pm on Monday 26 July this year.

A public consultation meeting is planned on 17 August this year in Adelaide, providing organisations or individuals with the opportunity to verbally present their views to DPAC. With the expected growth of the bulky goods retail sector in South Australia, it is prudent to introduce these common-sense changes before this sector grows and matures further.