The City of Mitcham plays a key role in shaping the future of our community through urban planning and design. We work closely with the State Government to ensure development is well-managed, public spaces are enhanced and our city’s unique character is protected.
Much of this work involves collaboration with the State Government, particularly following major reforms to the planning system. These reforms have seen Council’s Development Plan replaced by the State Government’s Planning and Design Code, which took effect in early 2021.
To ensure that Mitcham remains a great place to live, work, and visit, Council actively advocates for planning outcomes that reflect community values and priorities. Our work in this space includes:
- Council’s Spatial Vision – Our long-term vision for the future growth and development of the City of Mitcham.
- Growth Precincts Development Plan Amendment – A strategic approach to guiding development in key areas to support sustainable growth.
- Special Residential Character Areas Development Plan Amendment – Ensuring that new development respects the unique character of our established neighbourhoods.
- Opportunities for Public Space Investment – Identifying and advocating for improvements to our parks, streetscapes, and community spaces.
- Council submissions on planning-related matters – Advocating for policies and regulations that align with the needs of our community.
Council submissions on planning-related matters
From time to time, the City of Mitcham provides formal submissions on planning-related issues, particularly in response to proposals from the State Planning Commission and the Department for Housing and Urban Development. These submissions ensure that local perspectives are considered in decision-making processes that shape our urban environment.
The Assessment Improvements Code Amendment proposes a number of technical amendments to enhance the general performance and operation of South Australia's Planning and Design Code, which is the single source of planning policy in South Australia.
Submission on Draft Assessment Improvements Code Amendment to the State Planning Commission
The draft Accommodation Diversity Code Amendment proposes improvements to enhance housing diversity and provide more flexibility for building apartment-style homes and retirement living across the state.
The proposed Vehicle Parking Amendment Bill and Vehicle Parking Scheme seeks to set out minimum car parking requirements for new residential development, including minimum number of car parks to be provided for new dwellings and minimum dimensions for off-street parking areas.
Submission on the Proposed PDI (Vehicle Parking) Amendment Bill and Vehicle Parking Scheme to PlanSA
The draft Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) (Miscellaneous) (No 2) Amendment Regulations 2025 (Amendment Regulations) propose several amendments to the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017 (General Regulations).
Proposed key amendments to the General Regulations would:
- make local council the authority for assessing minor variations
- enable councils to maintain trees in a timely manner
- ensure that land divisions that meet relevant design standards do not require council consent for vesting of public land
- increase the time to assess complex applications and gather information to assist decision-making
- ensure planning consent decisions can only be made by accredited planning professionals
- clarify that under certain conditions, planning and land division consent can be issued over an allotment that is yet to be created
- give landowners easier access to documentation relevant to their property through local council
- provide both public and private schools equal exemptions for performing tree maintenance works
- exclude electric vehicle charging stations from the definition of 'development'.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about urban planning and design, contact us on 1300 133 466 or email development@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au with “Urban Planning and Design” in the subject line.