Under the new Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (SA) the SA Government has introduced several Environment and Food Production Areas (EFPAs) [s 7 Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (SA)]. These areas were introduced on 1 April 20171

The purpose of the EFPAs is to contain urban sprawl and limit future residential sub-divisions and developments in areas that have been identified as being vital food and agricultural land areas.

Under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (SA), EFPAs have been introduced to:

Given that EFPAs exist to protect areas of rural, landscape, environmental or food production significance, the State Planning Commission may only vary a designated EFPAs if the SPC is satisfied that:

There are two types of areas that are captured under the EFPA:

The regulations around development on designated EFPAs land depends are different depending on what type of area it is. A map of the current designated Environment and Food Production Areas (EFPAs) is available on the PlanSA - Environmental Food Production Areas webpage (opens new window).

Rural Living Areas within EFPAs

If you are a landowner on land that is zoned as Rural Living within an EFPA area, the introduction of the EFPA will impact on your ability to subdivide your land into residential allotments.

From 1 April 2019, land divisions creating additional residential allotments are not longer permitted within rural living zones. Any applications for land divisions to create residential allotments that were lodged before 1 April 2019 will be assessed on its own merits in accordance with previous zoning rules (in place as at 1 December 2015). As such any development applications that were lodged before 1 April 2019 and were approved under the previous zoning rules may proceed.

Land within EFPAs area that is not a Rural Living Area

Land that is within an EFPAs that is not zoned as a Rural Living area cannot be subdivided into residential allotments.

Other land divisions within Environment and Food Production Areas

The restriction on land divisions within EFPAs relates to subdivision for residential allotments. Applications for land division to create allotments that are not for residential developments can still be lodged for assessment. For approval to be granted, the application will need approval of both local Council and the State Planning Commission. There are no appeal rights or appeal process if the development application is refused by either the local council or the State Planning Commission.

Further information about development within EFPAs, including boundary realignments, can be discussed with the local Council authority or found on PlanSA website (opens new window).

New development within EFPAs

Environment and Food Production Areas (EFPAs) do not affect the development of new buildings or structures within EFPAs land. Restrictions apply only to residential subdivision. Applications for development proposals regarding new buildings and structures can still be lodge

Further information about Environmental Food Production Areas, including information on assessment pathways for land divisions in EFPAs is on the PlanSA - Environmental Food Production Areas website (opens new window).