Carolyn Wigg

2018 candidate for Town of Walkerville.
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)?
   Local Councils must have a say in their local heritage assets. They should be able to commission the survey but there should be some financial support from the State Government to assist Councils. In addition the responsible Minister should not have the power to intervene as in ACC.

2. In your opinion, has the current system of local heritage protection served your community well?
   Yes. But I believe that Councils should revisit their lists every 10-20 years to ensure that the list still includes all properties that meet the criteria. Community input into development applications involving heritage places has been limited by a former Minister. There should be an opportunity for representations if a heritage place is likely to be adversely affected by a development proposal.

3. Should councils reject proposals to list local places of historic merit simply because an owner objects?
   No. I would like to see every Council employing a heritage advisor or taking advice from a local or regional heritage committee.

4. Should neighbours of local heritage listed buildings have a right of appeal on development applications that propose demolition?
   Yes if the loss of that building would affect the heritage value of their property or if the area was designated as a conservation or heritage area. For example the loss of one of a cohesive group of listed places would affect the heritage values of the group and also have an aesthetic as well as a financial impact.

5. Should buildings listed as Contributory Items in your council area receive better protection?
   Yes, they are often treated as de facto heritage places, but they have no legal protection. They were identified through a windscreen survey rather than being properly assessed against the criteria. In my opinion the majority of those places would meet the S.23 criteria under the Development Act.

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?
   No. I do not support a review by DPTI. I believe there should be an independent professional survey, commissioned by the Council, which the Council should then accept and list. I strongly believe that there should be one Heritage Register for South Australian Heritage Places, removing the current distinction between State and Local lists. I also consider that the Council should have statutory control to list and manage all the heritage in its area, but must be required to seek professional advice on listing and management. This could be through an independent consultant or through a local heritage committee. Alternatively Councils could share in a regional committee.

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?
   Elected members need to be better informed on what is happening in their area. This could be by a monthly report from Council's planner. There must also be more than token representation of Councillors (at least 2 or 3) on policy and assessment committees. The previous situation with 3 Councillors, 3 professional independents and professional and independent Chair was a workable solution.

9. Should councils actively encourage individuals to nominate places for consideration as local heritage?
   Yes, providing they are prepared to assess in a professional and timely process.