Alan Rye

2018 candidate for Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council.
Heritage survey responses.

1. Do you agree that the identification and protection of local heritage places is best done by local councils rather than DPTI (Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure)?
   Absolutely. My involvement in local heritage goes back decades - I was served injunctions over my involvement in the failed attempt to save the House of Chow in 1990, and I have been active ever since. There is no doubt (in my mind) that the "grain and texture" of local heritage is best understood by people who have history in the neighbourhood, and the councils that represent them.

2. In your opinion, has the current system of local heritage protection served your community well?
   Local heritage is but a minor concern to most of the councillors (and, sadly, most of the residents) of the Clare and Gilbert Valleys. I do suspect the issue is nascent, nevertheless. Last year, a full blown project to turn Martindale Hall (admittedly a genuine heritage item) into a kind of resort was met with widespread community outrage.

3. Should councils reject proposals to list local places of historic merit simply because an owner objects?
   You bet!!

4. Should neighbours of local heritage listed buildings have a right of appeal on development applications that propose demolition?
   True, neighbours should have the right to appeal, but their views should not have any particular priority over other genuine objectors, or supporters for that matter.

5. Should buildings listed as Contributory Items in your council area receive better protection?
   In my Council area, it would be a worthwhile step to even have a register of listed items!!

6. Do you agree that places proposed for listing by your council as Local Heritage or Contributory Items should be subject to review by DPTI? Or would reviews be more appropriately conducted by an independent source of expert advice?
   Review is fine, so long as it is conducted by experts genuinely impartial, but sympathetic to "heritage" views. So-called "independent sources" are often the same people hired as consultants by developers.

7. Would you like to see your council work more closely with the National Trust of SA in protecting heritage, for example, by signing up as one of the Trust's Civic Partners?
   Yes

8. What are your personal suggestions for improving the way your council handles policy and planning?
   Start with a comprehensive list of local heritage items (of all kinds, not just buildings) that is actually up to date.

9. Should councils actively encourage individuals to nominate places for consideration as local heritage?
   Yes