Rob Reynolds

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, of course. This is our community, our neighbourhood. As such there will always be special factors, special circumstances and special reasons why we should have substantial control over our own environment.

2. What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
   Everything that comes up for renovation or demolition should at least go through a 'Heritage or special circumstances test' to determine if there are any reasons for preservation to reign over development. And there should always be genuine and substantial public consultation.

3. How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
   By implementing the idea outlined at 6.

4. We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
   I think, in general, there is less interest in history and heritage, especially from the younger age groups which dilutes the overall perception of importance; thus enabling development or re-development to be seen as the automatic choice or right. There is massive educational and tourism benefits from the study of history and heritage along with the opportunity to learn valuable lessons about what to do/what not to do in future.

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?
   It has allowed inappropriate and ugly development, both commercial and domestic to occur on some of the best pieces of real estate in the community. For the State Government to have the right to declare a /major development' with such a low threshold is unreasonable and ignores community concerns.

6. What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
   Loss of wildlife habitat leading to loss of wildlife. Less water conservation as it adds to street runoff which ends up in the ocean and destroys our seagrasses which exacerbates erosion and storm damage. I would like to see more stormwater channelled back into earth.

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?
   Clearly, the tax system and the stamp duty system is not fit for purpose any longer and sustantial reform is due.

8. How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
   More openness and transparency at Council level.

9. Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
   In old areas, yes; but in new areas, no.

10. How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
    There should be a review of the regime and regulations at least every second council term.

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

12. What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
    A study into seagrass depletion and replenishment. A review of stormwater management. A review of the maintenance of local waterways. A disaster mitigation plan.

13. What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
    Victor Harbor is getting choked by traffic and there are no co-ordinated plans to alleviate this.

14. How could transport options be improved in your area?
    We need a traffic management plan.

15. What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
    A review of current policy and outcomes.
    A review of current environmental policy and disater mitigation.
    A serious discussion with our neighbouring Councils about consistency across boundaries.