Bill Verwey

2022 candidate for District Council of Yankalilla.
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?
   Definitely.

2. What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
   A Heritage List would be useful in identifying places of significance.

3. How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
   Even though developments come under the FRAP (regional body) the Council should influence the body to embrace the importance of protecting heritage sites and make its decisions based on this importance.

4. We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
   District Council of Yankalilla is in the process of identifying buildings etc of heritage significance and compiling a Heritage List. This is done working with property owners. Since this District is one of the oldest in the State and we have already lost a number of buildings of historic value, this approach is important to preserve what is left. Historic places add a sense of connection with our history and adding or updating the local heritage listings will ensure this connection is preserved.

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 would need to research this area further before answering. Having said that, if there are deficiencies in the Planning and Design Code then this would need to be updated/corrected and taken to the community under consultation protocols before being adopted.

6. What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
   We have a Structure Plan in place that covers future development over the next 30 years. It is considered to be sensitive to proper development opportunities.

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?
   In our region, old heritage buildings have a commercial appeal. Palm House, Second Valley is an example of a historic building in decay that has been renovated. Its capital value would have compensated the cost of renovating plus given the owners immense pleasure in living in such a desirable property

8. How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
   Communities should be involved in determining decisions about new developments. We have some sub-divisions that have been approved 20 years ago and are not sensitive to community expectations. Community forums are a positive step in gaining insights into community concerns.

9. Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
   No but it is receiving attention. It is better now than in the past.

10. How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
    We have fig trees that were planted during WW1 by soldiers about to go to war. It is the first Avenue of Remembrance in the world - yet these are not on the Heritage List. We have Norfolk Island Pines planted from a bequeth of a WW1 soldier that is not on the Heritage List. There is a brochure produced by the Council that identifies trees of significance in the District but more could be done.

11. What involvement should Councils have in decisions about protecting or removing significant and regulated trees?
    Councils should only be involved if the health of the trees are a threat to the safety of the public - other than that situation a Policy should be prepared to cover this area and put before public consultation.

12. What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
    Our Council should take climate change seriously instead of paying lip service. A new Caravan Park development where cabins are basically in a flood prone area should not have been approved. FRAP showed some concerns about a new build SLSC/Cafe/Kiosk in a location that poses future problems with anticipated sea level rises. Residential building applications have been approved in very low lying areas. I am advocating community inclusion to develop strategies that address the challenges of climate change - including land use.

13. What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
    Traffic is heavy during holiday/weekends as the District attracts a lot of visitors. Parking is an issue during these peak periods.

14. How could transport options be improved in your area?
    We have no proper transport system and it maybe uneconomic to have public transport. Sealink stops in Normanville/Yankalilla to take passengers to Adelaide but it is a restrictive service. I believe that as the population grows, the economics of extending public transport past Sellicks Hill to Yankalilla will happen.

15. What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
    Completing the Heritage List
    Community inclusion in discussing and being part of the process
    Sensitive development