gooddesign
Planning SA
Site analysis is a major step in the
design and assessment of resident-
ial development and is a critical
component of the performance
approach.
Site analysis
- getting it right from the start
It is the single most important step likely to result in
better development outcomes, fewer objections by
neighbours and reduced approval times.
The site analysis establishes the development
context. It is a process by which local influences on
a site are assessed and used to help generate a
design proposal. It should be completed before a
detailed design is drafted.
The analysis:
• shapes and refines the eventual design of a
development
• helps identify constraints and opportunities,
both on and off site
• assists communication with the local Council
and neighbours
• helps all parties involved to understand the
influences on design and the reasons for
design choices.
Government
of South Australia
What is a site analysis?
The site analysis will generally comprise an
annotated drawing and, in more complex projects or
circumstances, may also include a brief written
report to the Council on key design issues and
choices.
The site analysis identifies the design issues
relevant to the project. The process of determining
the most important design issues is called weighting
and should be carried out as part of pre-design
discussions with Council staff and any neighbours
who are affected.
The weighting process is necessary because,
especially with more complex projects, it may not be
possible to satisfy all the relevant principles. The
site analysis, in conjunction with consultation with
the Council, should assist this process of identifying
the most important design issues for a particular
site.
The simplest level of site analysis will apply to a
detached single story house on a relatively flat site.
In such a situation it may be necessary only to
identify such elements as:
• any features on adjoining properties that may
influence the design or siting of the house.
These could include tall evergreen trees that
may block the sun, the potential to be
overlooked by a neighbouring house, the
location of driveways and garages, or potential
sources of noise.
 check out:
www.planning.sa.gov.au/gooddesign

• on-site features that provide opportunities or

Other Good constraints, such as orientation of the Site analysis checklist:
Design-Better allotment, drainage, trees, views or soil types. • contours and existing vegetation
Living Fact At a more complex level, if the site is an infill site in • views to and from the site
Sheets an area with special residential or streetscape
• existing drainage, services and
character, it may be necessary to demonstrate the
easements
• An introduction to visual and functional impact the infill development
Good Residential will have on the established streetscape. Two storey • contaminated soils and filled areas
Design SA
projects will also need to address privacy, • buildings, especially any that should be
• Design a home for overshadowing and overlooking considerations retained
better living more carefully. • access and connection points
• Conserving energy...
• orientation and microclimate
and money! The benefits of site analysis
• noise sources
• Residential Policy - The site analysis provides benefits to the developer
building a clearer or designer, the Council, neighbours and nearby • fences (existing and proposed),
framework for residents – and benefits the development itself. boundaries and easements
development
assessment It does this by:
Surrounding neighbourhood
• The performance • encouraging good site responsive design checklist:
approach - a quick • identifying potential concerns of neighbours • location and use of adjacent and nearby
guide
and nearby residents buildings
• How to choose or • giving the development a better chance of
design your ideal
• views and solar access enjoyed by
fitting in with the neighbourhood character adjacent residents
home
• helping to minimise conflict between • street frontage features such as service
• Fitting in with the
neighbours… some developer, Council and neighbours poles, street trees, kerb crossovers, bus
design tips for new • helping to reduce delays by clearly stops and other services
housing in communicating the rationale behind a
established areas
• built form and character of adjacent and
particular design response. nearby development, including
A site analysis should include some or all of the characteristic fencing and garden styles
following details, determined by the nature of the • direction to and distances from local
development, the size of the site and the shops, schools, public transport, parks
surrounding context. Councils will be able to and community facilities
advise on the level of detail required. Only
• abutting private open spaces and
reasonable attempts to identify the elements in
habitable room windows overlooking the
the neighbourhood checklist should be
site
undertaken. Matters that cannot be determined
can be assessed by Council staff. • major trees on adjacent properties
• characteristics of any adjacent public
open space
• location and height of walls built to the
gooddesign site’s boundary
• any difference in levels between the site
and adjacent properties.
For further
information:
Planning SA
Planning Services
5th Floor Roma Mitchell
House, 136 North Tce
Adelaide 5000
phone 8303 0725
or 8303 0763

Or contact your L O C A L

local Council Planning SA FIS 21431

GOVERNMENT
ASSOCIATION
OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
May 2000