Navigating Council Approvals for Healthcare, Allied Health & Aged Care
Navigating the complexities of town planning in the healthcare, allied health, and aged care sectors requires a strategic approach that balances regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and community needs.
Accessing professional planning support at the beginning of your project ensures that your medical facility, aged care residence, or health precinct experiences a smooth journey through the council approvals process. Seeking town planning guidance early means that your project is developed in line with South Australia’s planning frameworks, while considering accessibility, sustainability, and quality service delivery.
Health sector planning considerations include:
- Site Selection & Town Planning Feasibility Assessments – Identifying optimal locations that meet zoning and infrastructure requirements.
- Development Approvals & Compliance – Managing applications and liaising with regulatory authorities to streamline the approval process.
- Stakeholder & Community Engagement – Facilitating consultation with local councils, healthcare providers, and the community to foster positive outcomes.
A look at recent Flex Planning projects within the healthcare sector
Adelaide Hills O & G – specialist consulting rooms
Our clients’ aim was to create a state-of-the-art specialist women’s health centre. Renovating an existing residential property to create space for specialist consulting rooms and group classes, this carbon neutral practice is the first of its kind in the Adelaide Hills.
Several challenges were overcome in the Development Application process in order to achieve the full approval from Mount Barker District Council. Considerations included interface between land uses, existing pattern of development, access & traffic generation, and noise generation. We were able to provide expert support through the planning application, public notification, response to representations, and a Council Assessment Panel presentation to achieve a positive outcome for our clients.
This success enabled our clients to identify the need for an additional premises in Stirling, Adelaide Hills. The Flex team was then able to assist with the required approvals from Adelaide Hills Council, to convert an exiting shop into specialist consulting rooms.
We are proud to have facilitated approvals for this unique project which offers a vital specialist service for the women in the surrounding community.
Bene St Paul’s Aged Care Independent Living Units
Flex was approached by St Paul’s Lutheran Homes (now Bene Aged Care) to assist in extending their residential aged care facility in Hahndorf. Our planning team navigated the approvals process for 4 independent units across two titles, including a communal outdoor area. The development did not meet all of the requirements, eg frontage, site area, and site coverage , however we successfully argued the merits of the proposal against the objectives of the Residential Neighbourhood Zone. The kinds of aspects that we considered were impacts of the increased dwelling density, contribution to the desired character of the zone, promotion of internal social interaction, positive street scape impact. As a result the application was successful and the project went ahead.
We look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with Bene, as we continue to provide them with planning support for their future expansion of residential units and supporting aged care facilities for the Adelaide Hills.
Mixed Use Development Incorporating Healthcare and Allied Health Uses
In collaboration with Heritage SA and regional planning agencies, we are pleased to have effectively secured approvals for these new business leases in the Heritage district of Mount Barker Road. Beginning with a whole site masterplan incorporating a combination of corporate, healthcare, allied health, retail and hospitality sectors, our team managed the project through a complicated council approvals process. Planning considerations that were addressed included contamination, local heritage, interface between land uses, floodplain and proximity to a watercourse, access, traffic generation and noise generation. The final development provides a vibrant commercial precinct in a previously underutilised site.
How Flex Planning Can Help
With a proven track record in gaining approvals that are functional and compliant as well as established industry networks, Flex Planning is well positioned to assist you with your next project. Having worked closely with healthcare providers, developers, architects and aged care operators, the Flex Planning team knows what it takes to meet requirements specific to the healthcare sector, facilitate consultation between stakeholders and foster positive outcomes.
Whether you are converting a residence to consulting rooms, planning a new medical centre or expanding or creating an aged care facility, we would be happy to discuss your project.
Contact us to discuss your next project.