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Better Development Plan Program

The Department of Planning and Local Government (DPLG) engaged URPS to benchmark the Better Development Plans (BDP) program against interstate and New Zealand models. In general, we were pleased to find that SA's planning and development system and the BDP program specifically are at the forefront of planning reform in Australia. This is because:

  • there is an objective and 'whole of government' input into strategic plans, region by region, with legislated processes for community engagement
  • Development Plans are directly linked to Strategic Plans
  • all controls for the assessment of development are in Development Plans
  • Development Plans are appropriately confined to planning matters
  • there is a standardised format and use of language as part of BDP, making Development Plans easier to read and interpret
  • there is a rational and unambiguous mix of 'complying', 'merits-based' and 'non-complying' assessment
  • planning procedures are relatively simple and transparent.

As with most processes and programs there is always room for improvement, however, in comparison to the other states, the BDP program is underpinned by a sound set of principles and practices.

As part of the continuous improvement of the BDP Zone Modules, DPLG also engaged us to determine whether the existing land use zoning and the BDP Zone Modules adequately cater for employment-generating land uses. We found that every metropolitan council has an appropriate mix of centre and industry zones to cater for all types of employment land uses at present and therefore no new module was recommended. However we also found that there are gaps and considerable variation in the use of mixed use, light industry and commercial zones where some of the more innovative employment land uses may be best located.

Innovation is important to us at URPS. We like to 'push boundaries’ where appropriate. It keeps us on our toes and delivers the best possible outcomes for our clients who have to adapt to constant change. This is why we take such pride in winning PIA Awards – they provide evidence of our success in striving for innovation.

We were delighted to receive a commendation at the PIA SA 2011 Awards for Planning Excellence for the Mount Barker Town Centre Community Engagement Project – our 15th PIA Award/Commendation over the past 9 years.

A genuinely collaborative project, staff from Mount Barker Council worked closely with the URPS team to deliver a range of engagement techniques carefully targeted to the various audiences. According to the awards publication, "the judges were impressed by the extent of the community engagement process and the use of a wide variety of consultation mediums, including social media, a youth ‘walk out and talk out’ session and a series of 'speak out’ sessions".

We were also delighted to celebrate Marcus Rolfe's elevation to the position of Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia at the Awards evening. The elevation recognises Marcus' ongoing contribution to the planning profession.

URPS Director Nicole Halsey has recently been appointed as a member of the Premier's Climate Change Council and the Board of Renewables SA.

The primary function of the Climate Change Council is to provide independent advice to the Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change about matters related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. The Council also takes a leading role in consulting with business, the environment / conservation sector and the wider community on climate change issues.

Key elements of the charter of Renewables SA include:

We look forward to supporting Nicole in these significant roles.

URPS and Natalie Fuller and Associates, together with a team of dedicated staff and volunteers at the City of Salisbury, recently held a "Street Talk" event outside the Len Beadell library for the Salisbury Town Centre Renewal Project.

Over 500 people participated, providing their views on what they like about the Town Centre, what can be improved and how they would like to see it develop in the future.

The Manager Urban Development at the City of Salisbury, Harry Pitrans, described this as a "very successful day for the City of Salisbury", also praising "the opportunity we provided to support the team of engagement volunteers" and our "professionalism and fun during the day".

We would also like to extend our thanks to the engagement team of Brian Pledger, Janine Harding, Jo Lasham, Julie Fyfe, Kate Naumann, Michelle Tucker, Tammie Hamilton and Hiroe Terao.

This type of successful community engagement will have a significant positive impact on the development and delivery of the Town Centre Renewal Project.