An encroachment is:

Any structure erected or installed in, on, across, under or over Council land, including structures that straddle from private land onto public land.

The Policy provides the basis for council assessment and decision making to manage different forms of encroachments over and under public land with the aim of:

• Creating a public realm that is welcoming and user friendly
• Cultivating a positive relationship between the private and public realm
• Strengthening the character and identity of our Capital City

The Encroachment Policy allows a suite of small projections into the public realm to be considered minor encroachments. These do not require an Encroachment Permit.

The Encroachment Policy contains specific criteria for encroachments such as architectural features, verandahs, balconies and signs that must be met to gain quick approval. If the encroachment meets the criteria an Encroachment Permit is issued at the same time as the Development Approval.

For encroachments that do not comply and are at variance with the policy criteria, the encroachment will be refused, and the permit will not be issued.

Table: Streams for Encroachments.

The draft Policy:

• Updates exceptions to Unacceptable Encroachments which relate to heritage listed properties, significant public buildings and adaptive reuse of buildings where no alternative access options are available.
• Allows for temporary ground anchors to support construction.
• Updates references to new legislation and Council policies.
• Further reinforces the importance of maintaining the built form edge as an attribute of the National Heritage listing of the Adelaide Park Lands and City Layout.
• Introduces criteria to ensure canopy columns or pillars are not fixed to footpaths.
• Clarifies that encroachments are a minimum of 1 metre away from a trunk and/or major limb of a street tree.
• Introduces criteria to ensure CCTV’s do not extend beyond the fascia line of a verandah or balcony.
• Introduces criteria for projecting signage.

Ground anchors are an engineered tool designed to transfer anchoring to the ground. It consists of cables and rods that are connected to a bearing plate used for the stabilization of steep slopes.

Council encourages encroachments that provide a public benefit and contribute to the creation of a liveable city. For instance, verandahs over footpaths provide weather protection for pedestrians, and green walls cool the City and create pleasant spaces. For these forms of encroachment Council will forgo annual encroachment fees.

Council also encourages heritage places to retain their original features. Council will forgo fees to assist owners to retain and maintain their heritage buildings.