Sponsorships for essential infrastructure projects

Private organisations that deliver essential infrastructure projects can ask a state government agency to sponsor a project. This is possible under section 131(2)(c) of the Planning Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (PDI Act).

Project sponsorship provides Department support in the development assessment pathway.

Sponsorship does not:

  • provide funding
  • guarantee your project will be approved for development.

Types of essential infrastructure

Essential infrastructure includes the structures and networks a community needs to function. This includes civil works and social facilities. You can find the full definition in section 3(1) of the PDI Act.

We only sponsor specific types of projects, including:

  • water infrastructure or sewerage infrastructure as defined in the Water Industry Act 2012
  • transport networks or facilities. This includes roads, railways, busways, tramways, ports, wharfs, jetties, airports and freight-handling facilities
  • causeways, bridges or culverts
  • embankments, walls, channels, drains, drainage holes or other forms of works or earthworks
  • education facilities.

Past project examples

The types of projects sponsored in the past include:

  • construction, upgrade or maintenance works for port facilities, wharfs and jetties
  • roadside signage used for public information or education
  • transport projects, including rail-based freight-handling infrastructure
  • education projects, including school extensions, developments and refurbishments.

Sponsorship benefits

If we sponsor your project, we can:

  • provide you with a single point of contact when working with the government
  • support you through the development assessment pathway
  • provide advice on government processes, including potential issues or challenges you might face
  • help minimise and avoid delays when working with government.

We can discuss other benefits with you.

Sponsorship assessment process

To discuss potential sponsorship requests, email us at DIT.CaseManagementServices@sa.gov.au to:

  • arrange an initial discussion
  • ask for a copy of the information template.

Review and approval

When we receive your request, we will:

  • review your project against the standard information template. We may follow up with you if we have questions.
  • share the request with key stakeholders. This may include other state government agencies, councils and/or other private sector entities, if relevant.
  • arrange a meeting with you to discuss feedback, concerns or potential obstacles. You must address these before the application progresses.
  • prepare a briefing for decision.

If approved, we will send you a letter. It will outline any key conditions, timeframes and contact details for your sponsorship.

Development applications

If we sponsor your project, you will still need to get a Development Approval from the Minister for Planning.

Lodging your application

You must lodge a development application with the State Planning Commission, unless an exemption applies. We will be a co-applicant on the application.

Before you can lodge the application, we must review and authorise it in writing.

Assessment and decision

The State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) is part of the State Planning Commission. SCAP (or a delegate) will recommend an outcome to the Minister for Planning.

The Minister (or a delegate) will then decide whether to approve the application. Under Section 131 of the PDI Act, there are no appeal rights allowed for this decision.

Possible exemptions

Some projects may receive a partial or whole exemption from the development assessment process.

These exemptions may save you money on documentation costs. You can learn more about them in schedules 4 and 13 of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017.

If your development cost is $10 million or less, the application will not be publicly notified as part of the assessment process.

Other requirements

When preparing your application, please consider other legal requirements that may apply to your project.

Contact us

Legal, Commercial and Assurance Services

Email: DIT.CaseManagementServices@sa.gov.au

Related information

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