Kelly Elsey

2022 candidate for City of Prospect.
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?
   Before any new planning approvals are approved by the local council and should consult with affected residents to discuss their concerns. It is important that the community members have a voice to discuss their needs, ideas, and concerns about their living environment.

2. What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
   The councils should have meetings with property owners, builders, and developers to thoroughly assess the impact on local heritage properties before the planning approval. The council has the responsibility to ensure that is a balance between heritage and urban renewal as a wider community matter.

3. How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
   I will work closely with the planning department of the local council for the ongoing development of the residential application for the heritage property's additional renovation. Also, I will seek an opportunity to talk to the property owner to find out more details about the development.

4. We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
   We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. I’m not sure that is correct. But Council should take a serious interest and maintain alertness about heritage matters. Why do I think this is? Heritage is part of the quality of community life and Council should take a proactive lead on this matter. What benefits do you see in adding to local heritage listings? My answer is as the above that keeps our past history alive in good condition. In nearby Whinham street Prospect, there is recent signage listing it as a heritage area. Time will tell if it has any bearing on property values. It hasn’t changed the local environment in any other way.

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?
   As I’m not able to judge from direct experience this matter might be the subject of a review by the Council to assess the nature of the impact the code has had on all parties. We need to know if the code has had a beneficial impact on greening the local environment as well as property values. I'd like to suggest that the Planning and Design Code should add the code for the risk of flood or fire zone.

6. What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
   The first impact of infill will be increased congestion on the small street and creating parking problems. Also, it will devalue the properties around it. The council should have a tight measure of the regulations on planning approval on the new development and planning approval assessment direct by the local council and includes outsourcing planning certification agents. That should protect the residential environment and avoid conflict with the residents.

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?
   The council could give the residents an incentive rebate for renovation with a reasonable percentage of the cost of the renovation.

8. How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
   The council should send out notices to the community about future new developments. Also, Council should set up a sub-committee to meet residents to discuss matters further.

9. Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
   Yes, overall, there seem to be enough trees.

10. How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
    The resident needs to seek the council's approval to remove significant trees. Another step forward, Council could put up a plaque with notes on those significant trees for stopping any removal.

11. What involvement should Councils have in decisions about protecting or removing significant and regulated trees?
    The council should go to the site and seek some information and opinions from the community.

12. What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
    Walk more, take the bus to your destination, and drive less. Also, use water carefully. Use more recycling products and reduce plastic products. Reduce thirsty plants that need a lot of water.

13. What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
    Too many houses and not enough parking affects the property owners who have more than two cars. It also devalues the property.

14. How could transport options be improved in your area?
    My area transport is good enough for my daily use.

15. What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
    Ensure there are enough parking for exisitng and new residents
    The council should give clear guideline for planning enquiry
    Protect neighbour's interest prior/throughout the construction