Public notification

Public notification for performance assessed applications will add an additional 30 business days to the assessment timeframe, 15 business days for the consultation period, and 15 business days for an applicant to respond to any representations made.

Notified applications will be determined by Council Assessment Panel (CAP). This adds an additional 20 business days to assessment timeframe.

Additional time-frames apply to Impact Assessed development.

Public notification incurs additional fees over and above standard assessment fees.

These include:

• Public Notification Fee $260.00 (to 30 June 2024)
• Sign on the Land Fee of $180.00* (to 30 June 2024)

* When an application requires public notification, a sign must be placed on the subject land during the public notification period. You can choose to place the sign on land yourself or pay the relevant authority to do this on your behalf.

If a performance assessed application requires public notification, you will receive direct notification if you are a landowner or occupier within 60 metres of the development site. The City of Adelaide notifies via letter, posted to registered owners and occupiers. If you are not registered, you may not receive formal notification.

If you are not directly notified, you can still review and make submission on a development proposal. You can do so
by either scanning the QR code visible on the sign on the land, or via the PlanSA website.

Development applications are processed online using the PlanSA portal or Development Assessment Processing
system (DAP). If you do not know how to use, or have access to a computer, that’s okay – we are here to help.

Contact the City of Adelaide development assessment team on 8203 7185 to arrange a time to meet with one of our Planners. We can run you though the proposal and provide you with a form if you wish to submit a representation.

The public notification process provides affected land owners/occupiers and interested parties with a chance to review the proposal and raise any specific concerns about a proposed development. It is the only opportunity to lodge a submission (supporting or opposing the development) during the specified public notification period.

The substance of a representation should stipulate the reasons for the submission, outline concerns and how these might be overcome (if at all). Submissions should focus on the planning merits of the development proposal.

Items that cannot be considered as part of a planning assessment include:

• General dislike for an applicant or developer
• Neighbourhood grievances or disputes
• Perceived impacts on property value
• Requirements under the Fences Act and associated civil disputes
• Impacts on rights of way and easements
• Domestic noise such as talking and residential parties.

If you make a formal submission to a development application, your name and address are mandatory details required for your representation to be valid.

It is important to know that this information and the substance of your submission will be made available to the applicant. If the application is determined by

Council’s Assessment Panel, all submissions will be consolidated into a report and attachments and published on
the City of Adelaide website.

The City of Adelaide utilises property data when distributing letters to adjacent sites. Letters will be distributed to an owner and registered occupier (if applicable). In the event an occupier is not registered, a generic letter will be sent addressed to ‘the Occupier.’

If the City of Adelaide has not been provided with current owner or occupier details, there is a risk that letters will be issued with incorrect details or be redirected to the registered occupier.

In the event public notification has already concluded for an application, there is no opportunity to rectify the issue after the fact. If you are concerned about future notification, please contact the development assessment team on 8203 7185.

For applicants

Following the conclusion of the notification period, nominated applicants will receive an email notification. This will detail the number of 'valid' representations received and a timeframe to respond. If no representations were received, the email will advise that no further action is required.

Learn more about responding to representor submissions

Before a CAP meeting, applicants and representors are notified of the date, time and place of the meeting. Applicants are afforded an opportunity to make a verbal presentation to the panel after all representors have been heard. Typically, applicants are not able to make a verbal presentation if there are no verbal representations at the meeting. In some cases, panelists may ask technical questions or seek clarification on outstanding matters.

For representors

If you submitted a representation, your submission will be provided to the applicant for response.

• If you nominated to be heard in support of your submission at the CAP meeting, a letter indicating the date, time and place of the meeting and the time for making the verbal presentation will be sent to the representor at least five (5) business days prior to the date of the meeting
• Every other person who has made a written representation will be notified of the date, time and place of the meeting.

If a person appears before the CAP to make a verbal presentation, the applicant has an opportunity, on request, to appear personally or by representative before the CAP to respond to any relevant matter.

After a decision is made, a copy of the Decision Notification Form, including either the conditions of consent or reasons for refusal will be sent to the applicant.

Visit PlanSA to find out more about decisions and appeals.