Marilyn Henderson

2022 candidate for City of Victor Harbor.
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, definitely. Currently planning is Metro-centric. Regional areas need to be looked at differently.

2. What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
   The Local Council, together with the Local Community, should decide what needs to be protected.

3. How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
   Our Council does have a Heritage Advisory Group which meets regularly and discusses such issues. Some building are recognized as State Heritage, others as Local Heritage. We need to make sure that the State Government recognizes both.

4. We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
   Unfortunately, we have probably already demolished a lot of buildings and other structures which would now be considered as Heritage status.

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?
   To date, I don't believe that new Planning and Design Code has impacted the heritage, amenity and environment of my area. We must make sure that it does not do so in the future. From what I've seen the Code has recognized Heritage areas and Councils were able in the initial stage of the Design Code to give relevant feedback for their own Council area.

6. What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
   I would prefer not to see infill development. Whilst this may be suitable in an Inner City Urban area I do not think it suitable for Regional towns.

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?
   State Government Grants could be offered to Home-owners toward renovation; also, or alternatively demolition charges could be set as a deterrent to demolition.

8. How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
   Community consultation and on Council's website.

9. Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
   No. Our tree cover is good but could always be improved.

10. How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
    I would like to see a return to protecting significant trees on Private Property. We protect every single tree on Council property but have no jurisdiction over private property vegetation.

11. What involvement should Councils have in decisions about protecting or removing significant and regulated trees?
    Total involvement and working with the landowners.

12. What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
    I have already brought Motions to our Council to reduce our Carbon Footprint and our Council has determined to be Carbon Neutral by 2030. We already have above average uptake of Solar Panels on private properties. We are working toward Solar Panels on all Council-owned buildings. I would encourage more tree planting by householders, Council, and Community Groups.

13. What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
    Both traffic and parking are becoming major issues in our area. Council is currently in the early stages of planning for additional parking.

14. How could transport options be improved in your area?
    Transport options need to be greatly improved both locally and between our Council region and Adelaide. We have been Lobbying the State Government over this for years.

15. What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
    Work with developers, the State Government and Not-for-profit organizations to ensure more diverse housing options, including public housing and affodable housing, rather than just the usual 'house and land package' deals.
    Fleurieu Regional Transport needs to be made a priority. We (the State) continue to improve our road systems. They should be improved our Public Transport systems at the same time.
    We need to ensure that the best farming land is not taken over for housing development. Once lost this can never be returned.