Planning Assessment

Planners develop strategies and design the communities in which we live, work and play.

Balancing the built and natural environment, community needs, cultural significance, and economic sustainability, planners aim to improve our quality of life and create vibrant communities.

As well as assessing development proposals and devising policies to guide future development, planners work in areas as diverse as housing, energy, health, education, communications, leisure, tourism and transport. They create new and revitalise existing public spaces, conserve places of heritage and enhance community value.

City of Mount Gambier Development Plan

Planning Assessment

Planning Consent involves the assessment of a proposal against the provisions of the Development Plan for the council area. The purpose of this process is to ensure development that:

• Results in the appropriate use of the land within a particular location (zone or precinct);
• Enhances and is in keeping with the environmental and visual qualities of the area;
• Is compatible with the orderly and proper planning of the area and with surrounding development; and
• Respects the living and working conditions of nearby residents and businesses.

Development Plan Amendments

Development Plans are regularly amended to reflect updated local council or State Government policy, introduce changes to zoning, or to implement a new vision for future development.

Policies contained within Council's Development Plan can only be changed through a formal, statutory Development Plan Amendment (DPA) process, which is prescribed in The Development Act 1993.

The statutory Development Plan Amendment process can be commenced by either Council or the State Minister for Urban Development and Planning. The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure website contains further information regarding the DPA process.

Council Assessment Panel

Under Section 83 of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, Council must establish a Council Assessment Panel (CAP). The Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 has determined that all Council Assessment Panels must be comprised of not more than five members - one of which is an Elected Member of the Council and four whom are independent (meaning that they are not Elected Members of the Council or Members of State Parliament). The CAP operates in accordance with its Terms of Reference and meeting procedures (refer to link below).

The primary role of CAP is to determine whether or not to grant Development Plan Consent for development applications under the Development Act 1993. The CAP makes its decisions in accordance with the provision contained within the Mount Gambier (City) Development Plan. Council cannot influence or overturn any decision made by the CAP.

In addition to its statutory role, the CAP is able to provide advice to Council in regard to development trends, planning issues or other matters that have become apparent through its consideration of development applications.

Membership of the CAP, including the appointment of the CAP Presiding Member (who must be an independent member), is decided by Council. Membership to the CAP is based on:

• the candidate’s knowledge of the operation and requirements of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act and, and during transition to this Act, the requirements of the Development Act 1993;
• in relation to Independent Members, the candidate’s qualifications or experience in a field that is relevant to the activities of the CAP;
• in relation to the Council Member, the candidate’s experience in local government; that a balance of qualifications and experience among CAP members is desirable;
• that gender diversity among CAP members is desirable;
• such other matters as the Council considers relevant.

The Council Assessment Panel meets on the third Thursday of each month at the City of Mount Gambier Council Chamber, 10 Watson Terrace Mount Gambier, commencing at 5:45pm (unless otherwise determined).