Amanda Wilson

2018 candidate for City of Holdfast Bay.
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)?
   Yes. One of my plans if elected Mayor is "Getting Our Planning Powers Back". This is specifically related to the transfer of powers from the Council to the new State planning system by the last State government. I want to lobby the new government so that, as part of its planning review, it transfers such powers back to local government. This is not only an important step to restrain high rise developments, but also the protection of local heritage. Local governments are much more able to respond to the community's concerns about protection of heritage, and I believe that a locally focused planning system better recognises and protects heritage matters. You can find out more on my website, www.amanda4holdfast.com.

2. In your opinion, has the current system of local heritage protection served your community well?
   No. At Holdfast Bay, I believe that we have lost too much heritage over the last 20 years such that the 'old' character of Glenelg has been lost, and that of Brighton and Seacliff is under threat. I do not oppose development, but the new system, in particular, threatens to create too much urban infill and give too little consideration to amenity, light, parking and heritage considerations.

3. Should councils reject proposals to list local places of historic merit simply because an owner objects?
   No. An owner's rights need to be given very great weight in any consideration or determination, but they cannot be paramount over any other concern. This is especially where it is increasingly highly unlikely that an owner of a property has acquired it without at least some idea of its potential heritage or historic merit.

4. Should neighbours of local heritage listed buildings have a right of appeal on development applications that propose demolition?
   No. I believe that the concerns of such persons should be given proper weight at the determination stage by Council.

5. Should buildings listed as Contributory Items in your council area receive better protection?
   Yes. The current status of "Contributory Items" is somewhat of a legacy category. I understand that they are given limited weight or importance unless included in a development plan. I would like to see a specific statutory category created to recognise such places, which would mean that it can then be treated with appropriate consideration in planning applications.

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?
   In general, I would propose that Council be the body to listed Local Heritage and the new statutory category replacing "Contributory Items" and that there only be limited rights of appeal or review by any body, including DPTI. I accept that there may need to a specific power of ministerial intervention in special or unique circumstances, but the ordinary course should be that the determination of Council is final.

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?
   I have outlined these above.

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