Christopher Shakes

2018 candidate for City of Burnside.
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)?
   Absolutely - my interest in local government stems from actual experience of how poorly State governments protect local communities and how deeply indebted they are to powerful vested interests.

2. In your opinion, has the current system of local heritage protection served your community well?
   To a degree but the fact that these protections can be so easily overridden in the name of planning reform is of deep concern

3. Should councils reject proposals to list local places of historic merit simply because an owner objects?
   No not when the historical fabric of the community is at stake

4. Should neighbours of local heritage listed buildings have a right of appeal on development applications that propose demolition?
   Yes absolutely

5. Should buildings listed as Contributory Items in your council area receive better protection?
   Yes and the best long term protection is high quality urban design. This is an area that is in need of urgent attention.

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?
   Yes independence is essential. I know from direct experience that DPTI and it’s statutory authorities are both indifferent and incompetent and dismissive of local community input.

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 but I’m curious to know more about this.

8. What are your personal suggestions for improving the way your council handles policy and planning?
   Involve the community from the outset, set out a positive detailed vision based on best practice use community intelligence to raise standards and expectations.

9. Should councils actively encourage individuals to nominate places for consideration as local heritage?
   Yes. Important places provide anchorage and connections with the past and the present. This has a direct impact on personal wellbeing and community cohesion.