Ben Ayris

2022 candidate for Adelaide City Council.
Heritage survey responses.

1. Do you think that Councils and community members need to have a greater voice in planning and development decisions affecting their local area?
   Yes. We are seeing time and time again governments ignoring heritage status like it does not even exist and is not a barrier to development. A private developer would not be allowed to demolish a State Heritage building so why should the government be allowed to because it is a cheap and easy option. Any development of heritage significance NEEDS to have community consultation. The community is not to be overlooked or ignored.

2. What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
   Councils should provide incentives in the form of rate reductions for buildings that are unable to be developed due to their heritage status. the council should continue and step up their heritage restoration incentives scheme. By preventing buildings from falling into disrepair and by allowing them to be repurposed to allow the landlord to generate an income to maintain the upkeep this will reduce the desire of developers to see these sites as development opportunities rather than restoration opportunities.

3. How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
   This is a tricky one. This can be seen by the recent State Government proposal to demolish state heritage listed buildings. The council needs to be a voice for the people to convey this is not acceptable and the majority will not stand by and watch history be demolished.

4. We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
   Local heritage places can enhance a sense of community when they are of significance. More local education on why a building is of local heritage status would enhance the sense of community.

5. 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?
   I do not currently seek any changes but would be more than open to hearing from people who would and to advocate for them where appropriate. My biggest concern right now is that governments are disregarding heritage status watering down the protection this title once had.

6. What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
   Being in the Central CBD I am in support of further appropriate development to increase the population in the city and decrease the need for urban infill and sprawl. I do not seek any changes to current rules.

7. 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?
   This is an interesting statistic and not one I was aware of. I think simply promoting this fact would be a great start given the increased amount of environmental responsibility people now feel.

8. How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
   The SCAP has done a much better job of providing information online for developments, however detials are only available for certain categories. I would like to see all development information become available shortly after being lodged and land owners in the vicinity being notified. this will prevent surprises and create a better sense of community and transparency.

9. Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
   No. Simply no there is not enough trees in the CBD. The main streets lack any form of shade such as Grenfell, Currie and Hindley. this is a priority for me. This is not good enough it has been this way too long and its unacceptable.

10. How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
    I do not propose any changes to current rules. If they are not working, however I would love to hear what is being suggested.

11. What involvement should Councils have in decisions about protecting or removing significant and regulated trees?
    The council can and should lobby on behalf of residents for the protection of significant and regulated trees where it is in the communities interest.

12. What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
    More greening across the city. Encouragement of green areas and sites in new developments.

13. What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
    Public Transport needs to be more frequent is the feedback I am receiving. It is too hard or takes too long. there is no disincentive for people to refrain from driving at present.

14. How could transport options be improved in your area?
    I would love to see in the next 4 years a CBD tram loop to enable people to get around the city easier and encourage connections from the train station so people will be able to catch a train into the city other than those that work in the northern CBD.

15. What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
    Community consultation for any change to a heritage place.
    requirements for green space in new developments.
    Improved public transport options through the CBD