discussion paper Protecting the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale

Department of Planning and Local GovernmentJune 2011Photograph courtesy of the South Australian Tourism CommissionBackgroundLooking over the Barossa Valley and McLaren Valetoday, it’s easy to imagine what a traveller or a farmera century ago would have seen. So much of it remains– the hills covered in vines, the rolling farmlandspunctuated by church spires and many of the stonebuildings that gradually replaced the tents and mudhomes of the first settlers. It’s this landscape, a vitalpart of our history, that speaks to all South Australians,and attracts so many people from across the world.Yet much is different too. The towns have grown - ashave the wineries! Things that were once just a partof daily life – food and traditions – have evolved intoindustries in their own right. But perhaps the biggestchange is how close these regions are now to ourcapital, Adelaide, both in distance and in time. Onceremote enough to be completely separate, moderntransport and our growing city have drawn the BarossaValley and McLaren Vale into the outskirts of ourgreater metropolitan area.While the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale might nowbe closer to Adelaide, most South Australians wouldagree that they should maintain their distinct character.Most will also agree that prime agricultural land mustnot be lost under housing estates.South Australia has a long history of protectingimportant parts of our State. We were one of the firststates to declare a National Park, at Belair, and havelong had development legislation that controls what willbe built on our land, and what it will be used for.While the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale retain muchof our past, and because these regions are importanteconomic centres of agricultural, viticultural and tourism,it is time to ask: do we need to strengthen the planningsystem to make sure that we keep what we value?One way of doing this would be to prohibit certain landuses in some circumstances. This would be a boldstep. Since the early 1990s, our planning legislationhas not contained powers to prohibit development.Instead, we’ve relied on procedures for assessingcomplying and non-complying development.When it comes to the Barossa Valley andMcLaren Vale – two historic, productive and valuedareas, so close to Adelaide, and vulnerable toinappropriate development – we need to ask if thisis enough.It won’t be enough just to identify what we do notwant in these regions. It is absolutely vital to ensurethat both the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale have astrong economic future. To this end, we need to clearlyidentify what development we do want – for exampledevelopment to support more tourism, or to protectthe long term use of land for productive agricultureand viticulture. This is a question for the community.The best future of the Barossa Valley and McLarenVale will be achieved by thought out, well designed,and balanced development. After all, it is the unspoiltbeauty of the area, and the continuing heritage ofthe vineyards that adds to the economic potential ofthese areas.Along with stronger development controls, weanticipate that providing incentives for the right kind ofdevelopment will help the Barossa Valley and McLarenVale to have a healthy economic future. If we candetermine – and clearly state – what we want in theseareas, then this may provide a great opportunity toreduce the red tape for the right type of industryand the right type of development.discussion paper3

Department of Planning and Local Government June 2011What will we dodiscussion paperTo ensure that both the Barossa and McLaren Valehave the future that we want for them – a future with athriving economy, and which maintains what we valuemost about these areas – the State Government intendsto introduce specific legislation into Parliament. We areproposing two Bills – the Barossa Valley District ProtectionBill and the McLaren Vale District Protection Bill.This legislation will protect the unique heritage, cultureand integrity of the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale by:• Maintaining and preserving the rural amenity of theregions for future generations to enjoy.• Maintaining the rural character and scenic vistasthat attract so many tourists to the Barossa Valleyand McLaren Vale.• Making sure that future development supports, anddoes not detract from the dominant land uses inthese areas – wine, food, agriculture and tourism.• Encouraging development that is well designed.To do this, the legislation will need to:• Clearly identify the unique values of each region –what we want to keep.• Specify measures to retain, maintain, protect andrestore these values.• Specify what land uses and types of developmentare prohibited from the protected areas.• Identify activities and development proposals thatcomplement the values, and create a process foraccelerated assessment of these proposals.• Ensure that environmental sustainability is animportant part of any assessment of developmentproposed for the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.• Ensure the assessment process enablesdevelopment in these areas that is sympathetic totheir unique environment.Two maps are included with this paper. These showsuggested boundaries for the protected areas of theBarossa Valley and McLaren Vale.This legislation will not override local townships’planning decisions. The townships in these areaswill continue to be controlled by the local councils.There will not be changes to the existing developmentrules and processes in townships as this legislation isdeveloped.We are now at a time when we must recognise thatthese two areas – once, so distant from metropolitanAdelaide, and now, so close – need additionalprotection of both their valuable, productive agriculturalland and their historic culture and identity.The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide alreadyclearly identifies urban development areas within andaround Adelaide. It does not include the BarossaValley and McLaren Vale, because The 30-Year Planacknowledges that the future of these unique regionsis not a suburban one. This legislation therefore, willbe giving statutory force to a State Government policythat is already stated in our key planning document.4

Department of Planning and Local GovernmentJune 2011Barossa Valley Protection DistrictThe proposed boundaries shown on this map are indicative, and will only be finalised following publicconsultation on this proposal. To see the above map in more detail, go to sa.gov.au/planning/publicconsultationKapundaDuttonTruroStockwellFreelingGreenockNuriootpaMocultaSandy CreekLyndochTanundaAngastonDRAFT MAPdiscussion paperEden ValleyWilliamstownSpringtonKersbrookMount PleasantForrestonGumerachaBirdwoodProposed Barossa Valley Protection DistrictLocal Government boundaryMain roadMinor road0 1 2 3 4 5 km5