The keeping of horses is regulated in South Australian by planning laws. The overarching State Development Act outlines how planning will take place in South Australia. The Minister for Urban Development & Planning is responsible for this Act.
Of interest to horse owners are the Regulations for this Act.
Definitions as found in the Regulations:
horse keeping: means the keeping or husbandry of horses where more than 1 horse is kept per 3 hectares of land used for such purposes or where hand feeding of a horse is involved. Horse keeping is not:
farming: includes the use of land for any purpose of agriculture, cropping, grazing, or animal husbandry, but does not include horticulture, commercial forestry, horse keeping, or any intensive animal keeping or the operation of a stock slaughter works or dairy;
Every Local Government is required to prepare a Council-wide document which will outline how planning & development will take place within their region. These plans are called Development Plans. By law, the Development Plans have to be reviewed and amended every few years through a public consultation process.
The review process is an important opportunity for horse owners to provide input and comment on how horses should be allowed to be kept in their region. Related planning areas of open space, access to beaches, trails, racecourse & showground precincts are often also covered.
Horse SA frequently provides comments when Development Plans come out for public consultation, however local input is the most valued.
Planning SA has produced a Guide for Applicants who need to apply for horse keeping approval. Approval will be needed from your local council if land use is changing e.g. from cropping to horse keeping, if you plan to keep more than one horse per three hectares.
Your Local Council should be able to provide general advice about horse keeping in the area you live, purchase or lease a property.
Horse owners who need to prepare information for their application will gain valuable information from visiting the HorsesLandWater
