The changes to be implemented in the Housing Roadmap include streamlining both the code amendment process and resulting land division.

The revised timeframe to turn an empty block of land into a housing development is now expected to be just 36-63 months, compared with 54-75 months under the current system.

This encompasses the code amendment process, plus development assessment, land division, engineering approval, civil works and dwelling construction.

A standardised template will be established for code amendments which will remove unnecessary details to initiate the rezoning of land.

The creation of a code amendment dashboard will also enable private proponents to track the progress of their rezoning application, with the average time for a code amendment to be processed cut to just six to nine months.

The average time for completing a code amendment is currently 11 months, while under the previous government it was 29 to 37 months.

Local councils will also be under pressure to assess land divisions faster or risk being stripped of their responsibilities.

Councils will be given strict timeframes to assess land division applications and if not achieved, the State Government will take control through a new Land Division Assessment Panel to be established.

Metropolitan Councils will also be encouraged to amalgamate some Local Government assessment panels and planning departments to enable more consistent decisions and faster assessments.

Other new planning related initiatives include:

• Regional planning portal
• New assessment tool to enable early development application decision for simple proposals
• Private planning professionals to assess small land division applications
• Automated development assessments for simple applications
• Legislative reform to the Real Property Act 1886

The State’s planning system has been ranked best in the nation by the Business Council of Australia, leading the county in its efficiency, consistency, certainty, and transparency.

Furthermore, for the second straight year South Australia was number one in the HIA Housing Scorecard.