Land Zoning

In reply to the Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15 May 2019).

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment): The Minister for Planning has provided the following advice:

1. The rezoning of land for a particular purpose is not just about the 'highest and best use' of land in financial or economic terms, but also about the strategic management of South Australia's growth and change.

Within South Australia, the majority of rural areas are zoned for primary production. This zoning encourages a range of land uses with a focus on the establishment and long-term continuation of economically sustainable primary production.

2. Allowing for the diversification of economic land uses and in particular 'value-adding' is important for our long-term economic sustainability and the Minister for Planning has formally written to the State Planning Commission asking that these issues be addressed in the development of the Planning and Design Code.

The Planning and Design Code will ensure opportunities for rural value adding to land through a policy framework that does not unreasonably restrict growth and efficiency of primary producers, while protecting rural land from fragmentation.

It should also be noted, that as part of the transition to the code, the primary production zone will be replaced by a new rural zone in recognition that rural areas are not strictly only for production, and in many cases land in these areas is not viable and may be better suited to other development or activities.

Particular emphasis is being placed upon removing procedural hurdles (i.e. non-complying triggers) to enable more flexibility and certainty for rural landowners, including owners of land which may be 'non-viable' from a production perspective.

Most development with the proposed rural zone will be 'performance assessed' or 'deemed-to-satisfy' with minimal uses to be included as 'restricted development'. Removing these procedural barriers will enable greater opportunities for enterprise and best use of the land.