OSG Land Division Applications

OFFICE OF THE SURVEYOR-GENERAL

Land Division Applications


Development and open space

The State Planning Commission’s responsibility for approving land division applications and issuing Land Division Certificates (also known as a Certificate of Approval - CoA) is delegated to the Planning Services Unit.  

The Planning Services Unit: 

  • refers land division applications to SA Water and other interested agencies to ensure requirements are met
  • ensures open space requirements are satisfied by allocating green space or through a financial contribution to improve or create new green spaces
  • reviews and approves extinguishment of easements variations
  • assists with property sales by responding to planning related matters on Property Interest Reports
  • issues Land Division Certificates once all conditions are satisfied. 

Subdividing land


The process for subdividing land can be time consuming, complex and expensive.  You may submit a development application to subdivide your land however this process is complex, and it is highly recommended that you engage a licensed surveyor and conveyancer or solicitor to:

  • Help explain the land division process
  • Determine the planning and development requirements
  • Draft plans
  • Lodge all applications and necessary paperwork
  • Monitor the progress of the application.

Fees


Standard fees you can expect to pay will be:

  • Help explain the land division process
  • Determine the planning and development requirements
  • Draft plans
  • Lodge all applications and necessary paperwork
  • Monitor the progress of the application.

Open Space Contributions


Subdivisions of land into a large number of allotments must set aside 12.5% of the land for use by the general community, for example, park or green space.

For smaller subdivisions, a payment of “an open space contribution” fee in lieu of space must be paid.  The fee is based on the number of additional allotments being created and the current fee for each allotment is set in the Fee regulations.  These fees are held in the Planning and Development Fund which provides grants to improve access to public open spaces. 

Section 7 of the Land and Business (Sale and Conveyancing) Act 1994


The Land and Business (Sale and Conveyancing) Act 1994provides consumer protection for people purchasing property in SA.  Section 7 of this Act outlines a variety of state government interests potentially linked to a property. Among them, one specific interest is associated with PlanSA and is obligatory to include in Form 1. This Form is provided by the vendor or agent to a prospective purchaser prior to settlement of the land.

More information

We acknowledge and respect Aboriginal peoples as the state's first peoples and nations, and recognise them as traditional owners and occupants of land and waters in South Australia. Further, we acknowledge that the spiritual, social, cultural and economic practices of Aboriginal peoples come from their traditional lands and waters, that they maintain their cultural and heritage beliefs, languages and laws which are of ongoing importance, and that they have made and continue to make a unique and irreplaceable contribution to the state. We acknowledge that Aboriginal peoples have endured past injustice and dispossession of their traditional lands and waters.