Under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (SA), the State Planning Commission is responsible for establishing and maintaining a Community Engagement Charter [s 44]. This is about engaging the community when establishing and/or changing planning policies such as the Planing and Design Code. It does not play any role in the assessment of individual development applications. There is no community engagement in the development assessment process for any development that is exempt, accepted or deemed to satisfy the Planning and Design Code. However, if the development is performance assessed or impact assessed or is a restricted development, then there are public notification requirements (including to adjacent landowners) prescribed by the Act.

If consent is given despite concerns being raised a third party can appeal in writing to the Environment, Resources and Development Court against the consent within 15 business days, see Local Government and Planning, Appeals.

Where a neighbour persists with an activity in contravention of planning requirements and the council will not take action to prevent this illegal use, any citizen may complain to Ombudsman SA that the council will not do its duty. All complaints about local councils or Government departments may be referred to Ombudsman SA.