Role of the DAC
The Development Assessment Commission (DAC) is an independent statutory body established under Part 2 of South Australia's Development Act 1993.
Assessment & decision-making role
The DAC independently assesses and determines specified kinds of development applications in South Australia. These are prescribed in the Development Act and Development Regulations and include:
- waste management or disposal applications
- certain developments of significant regional impact
- certain types of development in key areas of the State, including the Hills Face Zone, the River Murray Flood Zone, the Adelaide Park Lands, various Conservation Zones and the Adelaide Hills water catchments
- most Housing SA and Land Management Corporation applications
- certain types of development by councils themselves or involving council land, and
- applications where the council requests (and the Minister for Urban Development and Planning agrees) that the DAC be the assessing authority.
In addition, the Commission acts as if it was a council for planning and building approvals in areas of the state outside a council area (such as the Far North of the state, and many off-shore islands).
In its decision-making role, the Commission:
- operates under the same law, and must apply the same Development Plan policy as would a council development assessment panel
- is subject to the same appeal provisions, and has the same enforcement powers as a council development assessment panel
- normally handles planning issues itself, but delegates building assessment to the relevant council, and
- can establish delegated committees for certain matters or development within particular areas.
The Commission also has a role in dealing, together with councils, with applications specifically contrary to Development Plans. Where a council is of the view a proposal warrants approval despite it being ‘non-complying’ with the Development Plan, the council may grant approval provided the DAC agrees.
Assessment and advisory role - Crown development & public infrastructure
The DAC assesses all applications for Crown development and public infrastructure development, providing a report to the Minister for Urban Development and Planning, who makes the final decision.
Major Developments role
As of 14 December 2006, the DAC assumed a role at the start of the Major Development proposal assessment process under the Development Act 1993.
The DAC examines the initial development application, sets the level of detailed assessment required and provides detailed Guidelines for that assessment. More on this can be found on the DAC Role - Major Development Guidelines page.
The Commission can also act as the Governor’s delegate for assessing variations for approved Major Developments.
Advisory role
In addition, the Commission can - either on its own initiative or at the request of the Minister for Urban Development and Planning - report to the Minister on matters relevant to the development of land and make recommendations as to regulations that should be made under the Development Act.
