UDIA supports zoning to allow hospital’s fourth level

The State’s peak development industry body, the Urban Development Institute of Australia SA Division (UDIA),supports the Minister for Planning’s decision to initiate an interim Ministerial rezoning for a building on the corner of South Terrace and Hutt Street, Adelaide.

The building will provide new medical facilities for St Andrew’s Hospital.

“The recent decision of the Adelaide City Council Development Assessment Panel to refuse a fourth-level addition to a new medical centre with state-of-the-art chemotherapy services, seems to lack appreciation of what that building is intended to be and do,”said UDIA SA Executive Director Terry Walsh.

“St Andrew’s Hospital and its associated medical services form a critical component of the health network for Adelaide and South Australia.
“It is clear that the current residential zoning is proving to be an impediment for that hospital to expand and improve on medical services in the area.The use of an interim DPA for circumstances like the St Andrew’s Hospital project is justified.”

Mr Walsh said this provided another example of the need for simplified planning rules that reflect the needs of the broader community over narrow interest groups. 

“Good development relies upon clear and consistent application of the planning rules.  Segmented DPAs do little to engender confidence in developers willing to risk capital in creating appropriate projects for the benefit of the community,” said Mr Walsh.
“We applaud the Government’s use of these powers in this situation.”

FURTHER INFORMATION:  Please contact UDIA (SA) Executive Director Terry Walsh on 0408 704 790