Kerry Hallett

2022 candidate for City of Burnside.
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?
   Yes. Removing planning controls from councils has had devastating consequences for both the natural and built heritage areas and items. So too has the removal of character preservation areas. The rationale for undertaking the planning review and the subsequent changes to our planning system was to streamline the process for developers and to facilitate development. Well they have certainly achieved that but at great expense to the tree canopy across our metro area and local heritage as well as preserving neighbourhood character areas. Meanwhile the new Planning and Design Code is a nightmare to understand and navigate. Want to find out if a building is listed as a State heritage item or local heritage - good luck with that! If you find out please would you let me know where to find it.

2. What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
   My following comments are made in light of the current planning system because it seems unlikely that it will revert to the former one. I think councils should identify and recommend local heritage places and character areas (including natural heritage) that will then be formally recognised and protected by the Planning and Design Code, perhaps as a heritage or character overlay or similar. If planning approval is subsequently sought to change a heritage item or area etc then a council should have the right of veto if it is deemed in consistent with that policy area.

3. How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
   For me the main concern is protecting our natural heritage which pre-dates our built heritage by hundreds of years in many cases. Also our character areas whether that be character via trees and other vegetation or the architectural style of a neighbourhood. As for how - see answer above but essentially give council more power to manage and/or veto development approval applications for designated items or locations. Also employ more Heritage Planners / Advisors at both the State and local government level.

4. We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
   Lack of awareness of the value of specific buildings or locations. For example, a 70s time capsule house isn’t immediately considered to have heritage value because it is not seen as old enough etc. The benefits are preserving unique examples or locations for future generations to enjoy.

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?
   Big impact - tree canopy cover loss and associated increase in urban heat and energy costs. Loss of unique character or amenity areas through the ongoing march of higher density housing. Changes I would seek - see answer to 6 and 7 above.

6. What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
   There are good and bad examples of infill development in Burnside. Perhaps the best examples are where the State Government has required a developer to have an approved master plan for an area prior to development. The master plan can have controls within it to protect heritage items, streetscape, trees and character areas. The bad examples in my opinion are the Fernleigh Lodge subdivision on Greenhill Road; the Clifton Manor Estate in Stonyfell and the more recent Romalo House subdivision in Magill. Perhaps we need to revert to the old R1 definition for specific areas where subdivision is not permitted.

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?
   Rules to protect subdivision will by default encourage people to renovate. Also rules or incentives to renovate and preserve.

8. How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
   Problems arise when there is no over arching master plan for an area or development. A well prepared Master Plan is developed through a community consultation process.

9. Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
   Burnside has one of the best tree canopy percentages in metro Adelaide but the demand for higher density housing is changing that. Our parks and reserves are going to become critical assets in the fight against urban heat increases.

10. How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
    A requirement introduced that a development must retain 1/3 of existing vegetation. Big fines.

11. What involvement should Councils have in decisions about protecting or removing significant and regulated trees?
    Total control.

12. What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
    I want to see our parks and reserves developed as urban forests or woodlands ie less sport and rec buildings, facilities and ovals and more trees and plants.

13. What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
    Nothing significant in my opinion. There may be some peak days during the year associated with sporting finals, public holidays etc but the rest of the time there is plenty of available off street and on street parking near our destination areas eg parks and reserves, shops, key attractions etc.

14. How could transport options be improved in your area?
    More frequent services, able to take dogs and bikes on board.

15. What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
    Give planning control back to local government
    As above
    As above