Adrian Cheater

2022 candidate for Adelaide Hills Council.
Heritage survey responses.

Do you think that Councils and community members need to have a greater voice in planning and development decisions affecting their local area?
Absolutely. Councils are inherently responsible for the community voice and the community. Local government should in my opinion be the loudest voice and of greatest influence when considering planning and development opportunities. This layer of government is fundamental in ensuring larger scale development from a state level can be informed and held to account by those it impacts most.
What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
Councils are charged with representing a community. Having representation at a local level is designed to ensure a reasonable process of consultation, analysis and information gathering can occur to inform the community, other layers of government and the council itself on the impacts and potential benefit of any changed to local heritage. I believe councils play a critical role in consolidating both qualitative and quantitate research into any proposed developments impacting places of heritage, to inform all stakeholders of its impact and form a utilitarian community stance.
How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
I have significant interest and passion behind natural spaces. the Adelaide Hills region has only about 26% of its native vegetation remaining and naturally has impacted wildlife abundance. I intend to bring stronger consultation with environmental experts and abundant research available, to better inform both government and private developments. Immediate impacts when removing structures is a prominent feature in media and in the hearts of many, but greater awareness of the immediate, short and long term future of our natural spaces given our history of hasty development should share similar exposure.
We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
For natural spaces, increasing wildlife corridors to better improve ecosystem function. I think there is challenge in making long term commitment for elected members in government at all levels to pursue such outcomes due to the short lived time for many and the risks involved in being bold for heritage. I am studying Indigenous Knowledges at university currently and am saddened on how little consideration is given to culturally valued sites in my area and the low dispersal of their value to the non-Indigenous community to support their protection.
How has the Planning and Design Code impacted on the heritage, amenity, and environment of your area? What changes would you seek to the Code?
Full disclosure: as a new candidate and only committing to this nomination in recent weeks, I don't have the exposure as yet to appropriately answer the question. This has been a significant theme in many requests for feedback and I endeavour to become more familiar in coming weeks.
What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
As mentioned, my complete understanding of existing rules requires some time. In general for infill I believe there is a place for it in urban development, but not everywhere. Infill opportunities present signifiant potential changes to the lifestyle aspect of an area and its appeal. Things which can impact desirability to live, property values and tourist appeal. I don't feel infill has any significant impacts to much of my area, but spaces on the fringe of the ward are starting to experience pressures to engage in the practice. The Adelaide Hills is predominately lifestyle properties and the community seems overwhelmingly unified that it remains that way.
Construction of new housing typically uses 30% labour and 70% materials. Renovation of existing housing stock typically uses 70% labour and 30% materials. What policy changes would you like to see made to encourage people to renovate, rather than demolish and build anew?
Review of CFS rules, understanding cookie cutter requirements are not practical and have significant impacts on renovation opportunities.
How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
A spatter gun approach in todays world is a necessity. Many different generations and demographics access information in such a variety of ways, ensuring information is accessible, and easily consumed by the recipient is how you ensure the highest levels of engagement.
Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
Absolutely not. Fragmentation of native vegetation is a significant issue for the Adelaide Hills area. Hasty removal of trees with conflicting arborist reports is common place.
How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
A three step phase for consideration. 1 - A council appointed arborist (In-house) to assess safety and where it sits with local regulations, 2 - If unsatisfied with the outcome sourcing of resident/developers arborist report. 3 - If conflicting, independent arborist report (appointed by council at councils expense) to establish final outcome
What involvement should Councils have in decisions about protecting or removing significant and regulated trees?
If not on protected lands in other government jurisdictions council should be involved very step of the way to ensure it meets agreed rules/regulations.
What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
Greater EV charging options to encourage the purchase of these products. Potentially invest in a flagship hydrogen fill point to again encourage engagement. Also investigation into microgrid opportunities for solar and battery owners.
What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
Significant around schools and durning large community events eg. Stirling Market. Due to high fragmentation with pathways and significant impacts on surface quality during wetter months, vehicle numbers are higher in my experiences than could otherwise be with better and safer infrastructure. One way streets and narrow roads around Stirling especially cause major delays and Crafers has very low connectivity between the local school and the dense residential area.
How could transport options be improved in your area?
Paths, Paths and more paths. The types of vehicles, local speeds and fragmented pathways diminish many of the youth moving through the area safety. In this area, bike riding is a very popular activity with across many generations. Increasing safe passage will provide peace of mind for families to encourage this healthy, environmentally sustainable mode of transport along with walking.
What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
Review of CFS requirements and isolate better regional specifics
Planning application and approval fee incentives for use of local trades and materials
Increased continuity in consultation with State Government objectives