The Minister for Planning, on the request of the Port Augusta City Council, Port Pirie Regional Council, and the City of Whyalla, has agreed to constitute the Upper Spencer Gulf Regional Assessment Panel (USGRAP) under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act.

The USGRAP commenced operations on 19 March 2021.

Terms of Reference for the USGRAP

Operating Procedures for the USGRAP

The following people have been appointed as members of the USGRAP.

• Independent Presiding Member – Stewart Payne
• Independent Member – Angela Stokes
• Independent Member – Fiona Barr
• Independent Member – Nick Stassinopoulos
• Independent Member – Robert Donaldson

The USGRAP will act as a Planning Authority to assess Planning Applications (against the SA Planning & Design Code) for land division, building and development proposals across the Council areas of the Port Augusta City Council, Port Pirie Regional Council, and the City of Whyalla – the types of Planning Applications that the USGRAP will consider will be limited to Performance Assessed applications (as defined in the Planning & Design Code) that are subject to public notification and where representations are received.

All other types of Planning Applications (as defined by the Planning & Design Code), being Accepted, Deemed to Satisfy, Performance Assessed (not subject to public notification) and Performance Assessed (subject to public notification, but no representations received) will be assessed by Council planning staff (against the Planning & Design Code) as delegates of the relevant planning authority being the USGRAP Assessment Manager.

Meetings of the USGRAP will be conducted on the first Tuesday of the month at 4.00pm, as required – at a venue to be determined. Agendas and Minutes will be available at the principal offices of the three Councils and are also available online.

Planning Applications are to be lodged electronically via the SA Planning Portal, that can be accessed here https://plan.sa.gov.au/

To obtain information on Planning & Design Code zoning and policy relevant to a property address, please access the SA Property and Planning Atlas (SAPPA) here https://sappa.plan.sa.gov.au/ If you don't know an address, right-click on the map to drop a pin and see information about that location. Alternatively, use the following link and insert your enquiry details and address for a helpful guide

https://plan.sa.gov.au/development_applications/before_you_lodge/find_out_if_you_need_approval/development_approval_wizard

If you can't find what you are looking for or need further assistance, please contact the PlanSA Service Desk, or the planning department at one of the Council offices – please do not contact the members of the USGRAP directly.