Wirrina Cove Planning & Design Code Policy Review

Why review planning policy at Wirrina Cove?

In recent years a new planning system has been introduced into South Australia with the implementation starting in March, 2021 for the District Council of Yankalilla. The new system included the replacement of individual Council Development Plans with the state-wide SA Planning and Design Code (the Code) that - in the majority of circumstances - introduced 'like-for-like' planning policy. The new Code in the Wirrina Cove area however has the potential to provide for a greater intensity of development and for development to happen over a larger area than was outlined in the former Yankalilla (DC) Development Plan.

The greatest change between the former Yankalilla DC Development Plan - Wirrina Cove Zone and the recently applied Planning & Design Code - Golf Course Estate Zone is the removal of the Wirrina Cove Structure Plan, Map Ya/1 (Overlay 1) Enlargement E).

The implications of the new Code, along with the nature of the former 'Wirrina Cove Zone' being somewhat outdated - particularly with regard to the scope of development provided for when considering the infrastructure limitations of the area - has brought about the need to open up discussions about initiating a review of the new Code's Golf Course Estate Zone to ensure the future character vision for Wirrina Cove is sound and in line with community expectations.

We've started the conversation with the community.

At its meeting in August 2022 Council endorsed an initial phase of engagement with the Wirrina Cove community and landowners. Between Monday, 8 June to Wednesday, 7 June 2023 the community were invited to join the conversation via written submission, face-to-face or online and tell us if...

• the planning policy that governs development in the Wirrina Cove area should be reviewed

and in broad terms whether...

• development should remain consistent with the former Yankalilla DC Development Plan - Wirrina Cove Zone; OR
• development should be confined to a smaller area than provided for by the former Yankalilla DC Development Plan - Wirrina Cove Zone; OR
• policy should remain consistent with the recently applied Planning & Design Code - Golf Course Estate Zone.
  
  

What's next?

Once Council has considered the feedback from the community, a decision will be made regarding whether to pursue a Planning & Design Code Amendment for the Golf Course Estate Zone at Wirrina Cove. This will involve a formal process undertaken in accordance with the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act, 2016 and involve agreement from the Minister for Planning in the first instance and further statutory consultation requirements.