The State Government is reviewing how flood-prone land is classified across South Australia.
The review aims to prevent new homes from being built in areas at growing risk of flooding due to climate change, with officials now considering more extreme scenarios such as “one in 500-year” events when assessing risk.
It comes less than three years after the River Murray flood of 2022–23, which damaged around 3,500 properties across the region.
Under the proposed reforms, certain land may be reclassified as higher risk, affecting future development approvals and insurance coverage.
Planning Minister Nick Champion says the goal is to prevent the creation of “uninsurable homes” and ensure future developments are better protected from severe weather.
Local councils are already applying stricter controls for high-risk areas, using updated mapping and engineering advice to manage flood risk.
Consultation on the new statewide “flood hazard” code changes is expected to begin next year.
