Endorses submission of the Council Assessment Panel Annual Report 2025 to Council, included in the Agenda for the Council Assessment Panel meeting held on 28 January 2026, subject to the following inclusions in section 6.2 – CAP Advice to Council in the Council Assessment Annual Report 2025:
· Car Parking
o The Planning and Design Code requirement for no minimum car parking in various zones in the city is a complex issue often not aligned with community expectations. Additional messaging to the public from the State Government explaining the intent for these policies could be beneficial and raise community awareness and align them with the reality of Code policy.
o Research and evidence on the impact of high-rise developments without parking, or case studies on people living in these developments without a car could be beneficial now that numerous examples in the city have been delivered.
· Interface Concerns
o There is significant transformational policy in the Planning and Design Code showing a direction of change of built form in the city, particularly at the interface between low scale residential zones and high scale mixed use and commercial zones. The CAP notes this has been a regular community concern in several meetings.
o Additional messaging to the public from the State Government explaining the reasons for this is encouraged to assist the community to understand this policy.
· CAP Volume
o There is a reduced number of development applications being assessed by the Panel, and Panels generally across South Australia.
o As the planning system continues to evolve, changes resulting in Panels being the Relevant Authority for a greater number of appropriate developments is encouraged.
o CAP considers such changes would better align with community expectations regarding the role of a Council Assessment Panel, which includes Accredited Professionals assembled to utilise their skills to assess and determine complex applications.
· SCAP Threshold
o Reiterate the view that the SCAP threshold should be reviewed, possibly removed given the level of change in the planning system since it was established or at the very least and increased from the $10 million figure initially set.
o Supports progress Administration is making in this regard.
· Demolition
o The CAP notes an increase in demolition in the city not requiring development approval since the planning reforms in March 2021. This can deliver poor outcomes and is resulting in an increase in open lot car parks.