The Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (SA) provides that 'no development may be undertaken unless the development is an approved development' [s 101]. However, not all acts or activities in relation to land are regarded as 'development', and not all development requires a formal approval. Accordingly, it is important to understand the legal meaning of the word 'development'.

Development is defined in the Act [s 3] in very wide terms and it includes building work, a change in the use of land, cutting, damaging or felling of significant trees, excavating or filling land and land division. Building work includes construction as well as the demolition or removal of a building. A change in the use of land constitutes development, even if no building work is undertaken. For example changing the use of a house from a residence to a restaurant or doctor's surgery would constitute development.

The definition of 'land' under the Act includes land covered with water. As a consequence things like permanently moored houseboats and pontoons fall within the definition of 'development'.

It also includes acts or activities which are declared by the Regulations to constitute development. This means that to ascertain one's rights and obligations it is necessary to refer to the Planning Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017 (SA) as well as to the Act. If in doubt, it is usually safest to talk to your local council about your plans to ascertain whether formal development approval is necessary.