Climate change initiatives

The State Planning Commission is committed to ensuring that the planning system is responsive to climate change.

The Planning for Climate Change brochure outlines how the planning system can respond to climate change risks and the specific planning projects we have implemented and planned to address climate change challenges and take advantage of climate-related opportunities.

The Commission has already implemented a range of important environment and climate related policies as part of the new planning system including:

  • State Planning Policy 5: Climate Change’ – the highest level of planning policy in the new system that addresses the key strategic priorities for South Australia.
  • New residential infill policies to encourage tree planting, soft landscaping and stormwater detention and reuse to be incorporated into residential development.
  • Water Sensitive Urban Design for commercial, master planned residential and infill development.
  • New Native Vegetation Overlays to ensure removal is considered upfront in a planning assessment.
  • A range of Overlays protecting key environmental assets, such as coastal areas, watercourses, and the River Murray, including referrals to relevant state agencies.
  • Environmental performance policies for large scale mixed-use and commercial development.
  • Improved hazard mapping through the creation of overlays for bushfire, coastal and terrestrial flooding, and acid sulfate soils.
  • Promotion of walkable communities by promoting a greater mix of land uses in suburban areas, and a continued focus on infill development in well serviced locations.
  • Updated renewable energy policy to reflect new forms of energy generation and storage and policy to address overshadowing of solar panels.

In addition, there are a range of climate change initiatives currently being progressed by the Commission and Department, including:

Each of these projects will further improve climate related policies in the Planning and Design Code and continue to position South Australia as a leader in the development of planning policies in response to climate change.