Beth Rex

2022 candidate for City of Onkaparinga.
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?
The community needs to become more involved at Council level. This needs to be promoted. I would be encouraging this as much as possible. Big companies and outside organizations are having much more input in our communities than they should. As a ratepayer I am a community voice and I would like to know more about this decision making that is affecting our local areas and whether they are made with the community in mind. So in summary, yes I do think that community members need to have a greater voice that is why I am a candidate.
What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
The Council needs to be representing the community it serves not political parties or Corporates. Each individual case should be evaluated fully and decisions made on these findings. The final decision should be made by Council in consultation with the community, not the State Government or others. Community feedback should also be sought more actively especially concerning future large developments and community concerns seriously considered. I was interested to follow developments concerning the kangaroos on Commercial Road at Seaford and was disappointed to see the development continue even though there had been community outcry. The kangaroos were a lovely part of our environment, a local tourist attraction and one of the only places down South where local ratepayers and visitors could see them grazing in their natural habitat in suburbia.
How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
The guidelines for grants should be less stringent. The Council's purposes and principles should be inclusive of the whole community and be open to historic and heritage places being preserved no matter "what the outcomes are". It should be easier to procure funding for historic and heritage places.
We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
I believe the stringent guidelines of restoration of a heritage building inflate the cost of doing so and therefore I believe this puts people off from declaring any heritage properties they may own. The benefits of adding to local heritage listings is to improve awareness of people's concept of the historic value of the area and can also lead to a successful grant application.
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 would need to make myself more familiar with this Code as occasions arise for decisions to be made in Council meetings. I believe there are members of staff of the Council who would offer very good advice in this area and once again community feedback is important to ascertain what the ratepayers living in the area want to see as changes.
What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
This is a civil engineering question and should be referred to staff at council for their report on infill development.
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?
If and when I was successful in my nomination to Council I would look at these issues in detail.
How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
Through community noticeboards. Mailouts Through the Newsletter Council puts out with rates. Letterbox leaflets Emails
How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
Some of the trees which have planted in the suburbs in the South Coast are the subject of a great deal of complaints, from seeds and overhang to falling leaves and a variety of other problems. Developers and Council need to make better decisions about what trees they are planting in the community. Some people in the 70's and 80's planted large gums close to their houses which are now becoming a problem. Significant trees which have been planted by owners of properties can often devalue a persons property and they should have the right to remove them if necessary. At the moment the Council has a fair policy in this regard as it relates to how close the tree is to the house etc. And they give out free trees to replace the tree that has been removed.
What involvement should Councils have in decisions about protecting or removing significant and regulated trees?
The involvement they have is sufficient. Anyone wanting to remove a tree has to apply to council and fill out a detailed form with reasons why. Council then sends out their representative to inspect the tree and decide whether its removal is warranted. I think this system works well.
What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
I would like more investigation initiated regarding this subject before any actions could be instigated.
What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
South Road and Victor Harbour Rd are being upgraded and more needs to be done regarding the traffic build up around Seaford Road in peak hour. Most of the roads down South especially around Aldinga need upgrading to compare with the roads in the North of Adelaide.
How could transport options be improved in your area?
Transport in Seaford Rise is good and I think the buses have been more syncrinised with the train now. Transport to the newer areas like Seaford Heights is lacking though and the new areas in Moana Heights.
What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
Monitor dense housing
Environmental issues
Better community feedback and involvement