Local councils playing their part to facilitate new housing in South Australia
ABS Building Approvals data highlighted by the State Government this week shows 16,408 dwellings were approved in South Australia in the 12 months to September 2026 – an 11.4 per cent increase, or around 1,680 additional homes, compared with the previous year.
Council approvals for planning assessments and building consent are at the front end of South Australia’s housing pipeline, and latest PlanSA data shows councils are meeting their legislative deadlines more than 90% of the time.
The Department for Housing and Urban Development earlier this year also recognised that South Australia is processing planning approvals seven times faster than Victoria and more than three times faster than New South Wales.
LGA President, Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross said the data demonstrates how local councils are playing their part to facilitate new housing in line with South Australia’s Housing Roadmap.
“Councils are committed to being part of the solution to South Australia's housing challenge, through timely assessments of applications and working with developers, the State Government and communities to identify opportunities and facilitate sustainable growth,” Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross said.
“The role of councils starts well before a development application is lodged and continues long after a new home is built to ensure roads, stormwater, open space, community facilities and other essential infrastructure keep pace with growth.
“Good planning and faster housing delivery shouldn’t be seen as competing priorities, but instead go hand-in-hand when bringing any new development to life to achieve the best outcome.
“As trusted delivery partners, councils will continue working hard to meet approval deadlines, while ensuring new developments provide the green space, local amenity and enabling infrastructure needed to create healthy, sustainable and liveable neighbourhoods across South Australia.”
Local Area Plans also form an important part of the development process and help councils, in consultation with their communities to identify the specific challenges and opportunities of growth in their region.