Previously all development applications cost a flat fee, with the new system instead scaled to align with the proposed construction cost.

Applications for developments that cost less than $500,000 will be charged a lodgement fee beginning at $90, a $103 decrease from the previous $193 flat rate.

A sliding scale is then applied to developments costing between $500,000 and $10 million, with a maximum application fee of $2970 for the top of the scale.

The new changes will also apply to code amendments.

The code amendment fees are scaled under the changes to reflect the complexity of the proposed change.

The new scale for code amendment applications. Table: supplied

The government has forecast that 89 per cent of development applications will be charged a lower fee under the new system.

Minister for planning Nick Champion said the “sliding scale” was designed to benefit those “looking to add a small extension, or a shed or a pool”.

“The vast majority of South Australians will be better off under this new fee system,” Champion said.

“The larger development applications which are more complex and require significantly more time to process will have to pay more.”