NEW laws to protect South Australia's wine-growing regions from urban sprawl have been introduced in state parliament.
Planning Minister John Rau said the amendments to planning regulations would protect the Barossa Valley, north of Adelaide, and the McLaren Vale region, south of the city.
"It is vital that we put in place measures which protect the integrity and culture of the Barossa and McLaren Vale," Mr Rau said in a statement on Thursday.
The interim regulations will block development across 40,000ha in McLaren Vale, including the Willunga Basin, and 140,000ha in the Barossa.
After community consultation the government has revised its original plans and will ease some of the restrictions.
The government bills will also allow councils to refine the planning rules in their areas.
