Paul Koch

2022 candidate for Town of Gawler.
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. The new planning code has removed the voice of the community plus Councils to make any real meaningful input into the approval process. So more input by the community as decisions/ approvals can quickly destroy the character of a community especially if there is an impact on the heritage values of that neighborhood

2. What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
   They should have a strong Development Approval Panel with members who have expertise in heritage, in particular applying the principle of the Burra Charter.

3. How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
   Yes, if re-elected I will continue to strive for the protection of the heritage values of Gawler.

4. We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
   It reinforces the character of a neighborhood and provides some level of protection for that building.

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?
   Do a complete review of the code. In my opinion it was rushed and did not take into account the importance of community consultation in the planning process. I feel it is skewed towards short term commercial imperatives over the long-term value of heritage, socially and economically.

6. What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
   To have a minimum percentage of the block that can be planted with a tree etc. This would provide an opportunity for water etc to move into the soil etc ,This should help to reduce the effects of a heat sink.

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?
   Provide a rebate in some form to assist with renovations Mandate a 90% recycling requirement for all form of construction. Any volume under that apply a hefty land fill cost, so it tips the scales towards renovation over demolition.

8. How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
   Wider community consultation ie not just 'adjacent' properties. .

9. Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
   No, although there needs to be a balance between tree cover and overall creating habitats, ie diverse grasslands.

10. How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
    Applying the legislation. Consider valuing the trees ie using the Hybrid Burnley Method

11. What involvement should Councils have in decisions about protecting or removing significant and regulated trees?
    Taking into account the true social and enviornmental value of trees.

12. What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
    More at a State and Federal level. For example the federal government mandating lower vehicle emissions, so 'forcing' manufactures to offer EVs plus funding charging infrastructure for example. The grid transforming over to renewables etc

13. What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
    Gawler is growing quicky. Transport infrastructure must be in place as the population increases.

14. How could transport options be improved in your area?
    A north east bypass, a park and ride facility at Wheatsheaf, with an electric shuttle train into Gawler Central. This would remove commuters needing to come to the center of the town, to catch the train, reducing the pressure on parking and congestion.

15. What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
    Revanp the new Planning code and make it community focused
    Boundary reform. Ensure new development that are obviously situated adjacent to another town that that development is part of that existing town ie community of interets
    Ensure developers invest in social and physical infrastructure that will service the growing community they are building and not relying necessarily on the existing assets