Introduction

If you plan to keep horses on a property, or are considering making additions or changes to your existing horse enterprise, you may need certain types of prior approval because of State and local planning and development regulations.
 

It is important you contact your local Council to find out what regulations apply to your situation and what you will need to do to obtain the necessary approvals and permits for your development.
 

Steps to achieve best practice

To identify what approvals you will need for your proposed horse enterprise or property improvements, the suggested course of action (applies to South Australia) is:

 
Step 1

Contact your Council planner to find out about development application requirements if you are considering:

• keeping horses (i.e. current land use is different)
• increasing horse numbers
• increasing horse numbers above previous approvals, or
• putting up stables, sheds and other structures including dams, or watercourse alterations.

Find out if your development is likely to be classified as complying, merit or non-complying (in SA).
 

You should also find out if you need to apply to any State Government agencies for permits, approvals or licences for your development. Your council planner may be able to tell you this, but you could also contact the agencies directly e.g. Water Licensing or Native Vegetation Council in the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (see links).
 

 
Step 2

Apply as soon as possible to your Council, and provide all the information that is requested.
 

Follow up any queries as soon as possible to minimise delays.
 

At present, there is a lot of variation in the information that councils ask for regarding horsekeeping development applications, so you will need to find out in detail what your council requires in your situation.
 

The following is a basic checklist of outcomes that you should take into consideration when planning (or modifying) a horsekeeping enterprise. These are the sort of things that councils may ask to be included in a horsekeeping development application, e.g. how you plan to:-

• Prevent soil erosion.
• Prevent water pollution.
• Prevent an increase in pest plants, pest animals or vermin.
• Prevent any significant odour production.
• Pervent excessive noise.
• Protect areas of significant native fauna and flora.
• Maintain the visual appeal of the area where it is located and be managed so as not to unreasonably affect adjjoining properties.
• Satisfactorily contain the horse in a manner safe to the horse.
• Ensure the health and welfare of the horse.
• Have access to safe exercise areas if horses are kept in stables or yards continuously (this may or may not be on the property).

 
Step 3

Apply to any other agencies (if needed) for permits or approvals. Your local Council can advise on permit requirements. This may include for any dams or native vegetation clearance that you identified in Step 1. Do this as early as possible to minimise potential delays.
 

 
Step 4

After development approval is given to you by the Council, you can proceed with your development. Any significant changes will need to go back through the planning system.
 

Likewise, once you have received any other approvals or permits, you can proceed with these developments.
 

Further advice and assistance is available through your local Council, Horse SA, Primary Industries and Resources SA, and rural consultants (see links).
 

 

 
Prior approval may be needed before additions or changes to horse enterprises.

 

 
If a dam is being considered, your Council planning officer should be contacted.

Links

• Land Management Program advisers based in the Mt Lofty Ranges: www.amlrnrm.sa.gov.au/services.html
• Horse SA: www.horsesa.asn.au
• Local councils, SA local government association: http://www.lga.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm
• Water permits (Section 9): Ph. 8463 6810, Water licensing Ph. 8204 8588 or Dept of Water Land and Biodiversity: www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au
• Environmental Protection Authority: www.epa.sa.gov.au
• Native Vegetation Council, DWLBC - Ph. 8124 4744 or email nvc@saugov.sa.gov.au
• Planning SA (now part of Dept of Primary Industries and Resources SA): www.planning.sa.gov.au or www.pir.sa.gov.au where a Guide for Applicants - Horsekeeping can be obtained.
• Adelaide Hills Council Information Sheet - A guide for horsekeeping (September 2004)
• A Legal guide for South Australian primary producers - SA Law Society, available from PIRSA offices, Natural Resource Centres (but note some legislation referred to is now superseded)