Planning Information

Development Plan Consent (planning consent) involves the assessment of a proposal against the provisions of the Development Plan for the council area covered. The purpose of this process is to ensure:

• Satisfaction of the economic, social, educational, employment and recreational needs of people living within the Council area
• A diverse, competitive and efficient economy, with emphasis on value-added and export-orientated primary industries
• Orderly and economic development
• Appropriate use of land within a particular location

In the District Council of Robe, planning assessment is undertaken against the provisions of the District Council of Robe Development Plan established under the South Australian Development Act and Regulations 1993.

To make submitting a development application as easy as possible, Council has created a Development Application Lodgement Checklist for lodgement of applications.

What is Planning?

Planning is the act of researching, analysing, anticipating and influencing change in our society. In urban areas planners guide and manage the way suburbs and regions develop, making sure that they are good places in which to live, work and play. Planners are involved in making decisions about land use proposals and other types of developments. In making decisions, planners have to balance the needs of communities and the environment.

Planners have a tertiary qualification and work in a variety of fields. These fields include:

• Development assessment planning
• Policy planning
• Strategic planning
• Land use planning
• Social planning
• Regional and rural planning
• Urban design
• Environmental planning
• Heritage conservation
• Transport planning
• Natural resources management
• Place, project and major events planning

What do development assessment planners do?

As developments such as buildings can stand for many years, the role of Development Assessment Planning is important. Development Assessment Planning is the process which development needs to go through to determine if it can be granted Development Approval. Development Assessment Planners are the people who manage this process.

Development Approvals regulate development in an attempt to:

• enhance the conservation, use and management of land and buildings
• enhance the amenity of buildings
• provide for the health and safety of people who use buildings
• ensure efficient and uniform technical requirements for buildings
• advance the public interest

Development Assessment Planners are responsible for assessing a Development Application to determine whether it is an appropriate development in its location. The Development Assessment Planner will review the environmental and visual qualities of the area and assess whether the development is compatible with the surrounding area. As part of this process the Development Assessment Planner will also check that the proposed development complies with the relevant Development Plan. In doing their job Development Assessment Planners will review and interpret policy, liaise with a range of professionals and balance the need for development with the aspirations of the community.

Planning Fact Sheets