Blake Derer

2022 candidate for City of Marion.
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?
Yes, from my understanding state governments took away this right for councils to assist with planning and development. If there was a more collaborative approach between local government and state governments to resolve planning and development conflicts between both parties, I could see this as a potential bridge towards regaining some say in the way councils help with planning and development within local areas. Communities, in cooperation with council, need to be consulted, as it sounds as though in some instances residents are not being informed on planning changes in the area by higher levels of governance.
What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
Taking local governance powers away from protecting local heritage-listed buildings or places were in order to remove subjective or personal matters that may directly involve some councilors. For instance, if suggested buildings are put in place to be demolished, my understanding is that only this specific building that are part of plans, rather than a row of buildings or a street that has many heritage-listed buildings are no longer protected.
How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
One suggestion could be that owner approval does not impede on listing heritage listed buildings.
We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
Owner approval may be impeding buildings to become locally heritage listed. This should not be the case when introducing newly listed heritage buildings.
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?
My understanding of the code is quite limited, however, character of buildings has become easier to diminish or add to with this new code, which is unfortunate if we want to keep the original meaning and significance of these buildings in tact, for example.
What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
Infill in development areas seems to be becoming a growing problem in all councils within metropolitan Adelaide. If it continues on the way that it is, we could see the disappearance of native birds and species in within certain areas, something that we cannot allow to happen. Subdivision of larger blocks for more houses is now also taking away natural habitat for these native animals, and perhaps there needs to be tighter regulation around council approval
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?
I would like to see a larger cost associated with landfill of building materials, accompanying this with state government incentives for refurbished or renovated homes, I think that this would encourage home owners to look at this option rather than just bulldozing old homes and starting again.
How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
Having council advertisement towards informing the community of new developments would be a helpful platform. With a vast selection and many means of communication in this day and age, I think that there's multiple avenues that councils can explore to inform residents of changing to buildings in the area.
Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
I think that there's an opportunity for the City of Marion to improve and expand their tree canopy capacities, and to be as competitive, or even more competitive than other surrounding councils.
How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
There should be strict regulations with a notably outlined reasoning as to why tree removal in our council area needs to be regulated closely. The only time councils should be looking to remove trees is if they are old, or sick, or both, and can be replaced with new plantations, with the hope that a new and bigger tree will grow in its place.
What involvement should Councils have in decisions about protecting or removing significant and regulated trees?
There should be heavy consultation with the owner as to why the tree should be removed, and if deemed appropriate (outlines listed above) then council should be able to make an informed decision from here.
What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
Firstly acknowledging climate change, but taking action to invite households and businesses to also take part through incentives and assistance from council. Our council should at least trial and look at new waste management schemes to support the minimisation of landfill.
What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
We are finding that parking areas at train stations or even close to key attractions are becoming harder to access with a growing population in the area. This would have to be something our council should look at, as parking and traffic flow in the area is going to important. One example that comes to mind is the new Villawood development that's split between Holdfast Bay and our Coastal Ward. With many new houses coming into the area, traffic management and planning needs to be considered carefully, otherwise lack of parking and traffic congestion could flow into our area.
How could transport options be improved in your area?
Bus services within the City of Marion (aside from Westfield Marion shopping centre) are too infrequent, particularly for the south of the council. It would be great work with Adelaide Metro, or even our community services team, to ensure that everyone has more readily available access to public transport or our council's community facilities.
What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
More advanced means of communication on all platforms
Ensuring that trees and native plants are not removed just for the sake of it, but for good reason, and replaced with new seedlings to ensure trees are still being planted in residential areas.
Parking and traffic flow are maintained at the new Villawood Estate, as well as ensuring roads, footpaths and walkways are all kept at very high quality