Appointment of Assessment Managers - Accreditation Requirements

LG Leader April 2020

Under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (“the PDI Act”) Council Assessment Panels (“Panels”) must have an Assessment Manager appointed by the Chief Executive Officer (“the CEO”) of councils. Assessment Managers are not currently required to be accredited under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Accredited Professionals) Regulations 2019 (“the Accredited Professionals Regulations”). This will change upon full commencement of the PDI Act and the Planning and Design Code (“the Code”). At which time and pursuant to section 87(b) of the PDI Act, Assessment Managers will be required to be accredited professionals or otherwise a person of a prescribed class.

The commencement of accreditation requirements for Assessment Managers will not invalidate an existing appointment under section 87 of the PDI Act. An existing appointment will remain valid, subject to the Assessment Manager having obtained the necessary level of accreditation (being planning level 1 pursuant to regulation 6 of the Accredited Professionals Regulations) by the relevant date and maintaining the accreditation for the term of their appointment as Assessment Manager. If the Assessment Manager does not obtain and/or maintain a planning level 1 accreditation then their appointment will be invalid by virtue of the Assessment Manager not meeting the legislated requirements under section 87 of the PDI Act.

While it is the responsibility of Assessment Managers to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of accreditation, councils, as the employers of Assessment Managers, should implement a mechanism to ensure that Assessment Managers are accredited. This could include:

• requirements and conditions in the job description and employment contract for Assessment Managers;
• an annual review requiring the Assessment Manager to provide to the Council a copy of their accreditation certificate and continuing professional development (CPD) record; and
• a certification on the instrument of appointment confirming that the Assessment Manager is accredited.

While Assessment Managers are not required to obtain accreditation at this time, accreditation will be required before the PDI Act and Code commences for regional and metropolitan councils. The accreditation scheme is operational and Assessment Managers requiring accreditation can now apply. Further details regarding the accreditation scheme can be found on the SA Planning Portal.

For more information please contact us.