Designed to protect the Barossa Valley from urban sprawl, the Protection Bills and associated Development Plan Amendment (DPA) introduced to Parliament in September last year have been met with public outcry.

Minister for Planning John Rau said councils and the community had raised concerns about the DPA, in particular the unintended restrictions on clearly appropriate development in the protection area.

Mr Rau said he will introduce a new DPA as soon as possible, along with modified bills to allow appropriate development, while still protecting the intended region.

Key changes to the DPA will enable expected development in townships, enable housing on some existing allotments within the rural area, enable development that supports primary production in rural areas; and prevent the further division of rural land for urban development.

In light of the changes, public meetings on the original DPA have been canned, including one scheduled for the Barossa Valley on March 20.

A new period of public consultation will now begin, and anyone who made a submission on the original DPA will also be invited to make another.

“I understand residents’ concerns about the restrictions imposed by the current interim amendment and that’s why we have taken this extra time to work with the local communities to deliver the most effective interim Development Plan Amendment we can,” Mr Rau said.

Barossa Council has reserved its judgment on the new DPA and will seek more details before backing any changes.

Mayor Brian Hurn said he hoped for “more meaningful dialogue” with the government before any actual changes are made.

“We haven’t seen the revised protection Bill or DPA, and are keen to know more about what the new legislation may provide before saying any or all of council’s concerns have been addressed - but we hope that all of council's previous policies for development in towns and rural areas will be reinstated,” Mr Hurn said.

Council is also concerned the protection push could impact the proposed Tanunda East DPA.

The rezoning, which will allow for up to 350 new houses to be built on Menge Road, is currently awaiting approval.

Mr Hurn said council had been advised the Tanunda East DPA would not proceed until the Barossa protection legislation was finalised.

“We will be seeking an assurance from the minister so that investors and the community see that the Barossa is indeed ‘open for business’.”­