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    Environment and Food Production Areas (EFPAs)

    Under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (SA), the State Government can contain urban sprawl and limit future residential sub-divisions and developments in areas that have been identified as vital food and agricultural land areas through the establishment of Environment and Food Production Areas (EFPAs) [s 7]. Areas were first designated on 1 April 2017 but substituted on 22 May 2025 to align with the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan.

    A map of the current designated EFPAs is available on the PlanSA - Environmental and Food Production Areas webpage.

    EFPAs have been introduced to:

    • protect food producing and rural areas, including conservation of natural landscapes and environmental resources
    • support sustainable growth of residential development in existing urban areas to maximise use of existing infrastructure and public spaces
    • provide greater certainty for food and wine producers and residential developers on the future of urban development in metropolitan Adelaide.

    Given that EFPAs exist to protect areas of rural, landscape, environmental or food production significance, the State Planning Commission may only vary a designated EFPAs if the SPC is satisfied that [s 7(3)]:

    • the variation is trivial in nature and addresses an anomaly, or
    • the variation is consistent with relevant provisions of the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan, and
    • adequate provision cannot be made outside of the EFPAs area to accommodate housing and employment growth over the longer term (at least 30 years).

    Land subdivisions

    Owners of land in an EFPA are not permitted to subdivide their land to create additional residential allotments [s 7(5)(d)].

    Landowners may apply for approval to create additional allotments in an EFPA that are not for residential development. Both the local council and the State Planning Commission must approve the application [s 7(5)(a), (b)]. There is no right of appeal against a decision to refuse approval to subdivide [s 7(5)(c)].

    New developments

    EFPAs do not affect the development of new buildings or structures within EFPA land. Restrictions apply only to residential subdivision. Applications for development proposals regarding new buildings and structures can still be lodged.

    See the PlanSA website for further information about land subdivisions and development within EFPAs.

    Environment and Food Production Areas (EFPAs)  :  Last Revised: Wed Aug 13th 2025
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