The South Australian Local Government Association (LGA) says plans to re-enliven property development in Adelaide will deprive city councils of important planning powers.

Premier Jay Weatherill this week announced a plan to allow up to 18,500 new homes in re-zoned areas of Adelaide, in an effort to encourage a mix of new homes, offices and shops.

Part of the newly-announced ‘Housing in the City’ policy is a proposal to expand state authority for pre-lodgement, design review and assessment for some developments. The move would strip councils of the determining say.

LGA vice president Lorraine Rosenberg said there has been no consultation with the group over the changes, saying; “On the surface it appears as if communities are being further sidelined from planning processes.”

She said comment on the matter by Mr Weatherill and Minister for Planning John Rau were “confusing”, but she is “prepared to reserve judgement until we [SA LGA] can analyse this further.”

“On one hand we are seeing the state control policy by driving changes then authorised by the State Minister and on the other they seem to be saying our role is in policy, not in assessment,” Ms Rosenberg said.