Georgie Hart
2022 candidate for City of Unley.
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. It is vital that community and councils,as representatives of their local community, have a greater voice over planning and development decisions that affect the community and their local area.What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
Councils should be able to protect local heritage from demolition as they better understand the historical and cultural significance heritage has to their community. Councils should have the final say when it comes to planning and development particularly when it is insensitive to local heritage and culture, and goes against community expectations.How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
Work with Council to submit a robust review of the current Planning and Design Code with recommendations to give autonomy back to councils in relation to planning and development and with the expectation that development enhances natural and built heritage. Advocate to improve safeguards for the retention of built and natural heritage while still meeting community needs, for example, more housing as the population grows. Advocate for the removal of political donations from developers (or any large company or corporation) to political parties, to ensure political donations have no due influence over planning and development.We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
We rarely see them added because it is highly probable that both major political parties are under the influence of their political donors which include developers, which generally profit greatly from land division and new developments as opposed to the retention and restoration of built and natural heritage. Adding to local heritage listing's will offer some degree of protection against new development (although not guaranteed as precedent to demolish protected sites has potentially opened floodgates). Councils and community advocates can work together to include, inform and excite their community about their local heritage as it grows and evolves.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?
Vast amount of infill, often on properties with no increase in the number of people living in that housing block. These demolitions with new developments, (or additions to existing dwellings), result in loss of trees, native vegetation, green space and biodiversity. This increases the urban heat island effect and affects the ability to mitigate and adapt to the climate and biodiversity emergencies. Vast amounts of heritage and local culture is lost through demolition and new developments which fractures community connectons. The Code - changes would include giving councils more control over what happens within their local communities with the retention of natural & built heritage as a priority. Change laws around native vegetation and significant trees to stop the widespread removal of native vegetation and trees.What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
Loss of trees and green space. Loss of biodiversity. Loss of heritage, culture and character. Infill should ensure there is sufficient green space on the property and that development doesn't affect the structural integrity of any significant trees retained on the property. It should also allow for vertical greening, rooftop gardens and new tree plantings. New buildings or renovations should also be sympathetic to the heritage, character and amenity of the local area.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'm not totally across existing state taxes but there should be a significant 'new development' tax as well as higher costs to demolish - with fees that cover costs for salvage - recycling and resource recovery of the waste from demolition, that at best work as a deterrent to demolition and at worst, will fund employment opportunities through the local circular economy and ensure all materials are re-used. Councils and State government could also offer incentives in the form of accessible grants or rebates, to home/land owners who opt for sensitive renovation over demolition.How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
Community should be required to give feedback on new developments. There should also be a community heritage advisory body to help inform council and state government decisions.Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
NoHow would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
Improve the significant and regulated tree laws inline with the proposals outlined in the A Call To Action report by Conservation SA.What involvement should Councils have in decisions about protecting or removing significant and regulated trees?
Councils should have more say to protect significant and regulated trees.What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
A Community Climate Action Plan - community consultation to identify best strategies to draw down community carbon emissions eg, road transportation, home energy use.What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
Increasing traffic congestion and parking issues as a resultHow could transport options be improved in your area?
Better public transport. Safer and improved active transport.What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
Council working together to advocate for better outcomes, through planning review, LGA etc
Create a short and long term heritage strategy
Work with the community to improve understanding and appreciation of our built and natural heritage.