Sally Frossinakis

2022 candidate for City of Prospect.
Heritage survey responses.

Do you think that Councils and community members need to have a greater voice in planning and development decisions affecting their local area?
Yes, I do believe that councils and community members should have a greater voice in planning and development decisions that directly affect our local area. I am hearing that this is becoming increasingly difficult due to the new planning and development code. With this in mind, if elected I would advocate for simplifying local heritage processes for council and better demolition controls in Prospect. All stakeholders must be properly consulted in the planning process and work together for the benefit of our community. This includes developers, council representatives, residents, state government and community groups. I am not against development but we need to achieve a balance between sustainable development that benefits the broader community, whilst at the same time, protects our local heritage and character. Together we can do more.
What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
Prospect’s heritage and character are one of the main reasons my husband and I chose to settle in this area. We love the local architecture, heritage housing, cafes, businesses, parks and green spaces and I believe we must maintain and protect these. I am disappointed to hear that Prospect Council currently does not have a Heritage Advisor nor any funding allocation to meet the requirement of a thematic analysis for any new additions to the register (as per Practice Direction 2 of the Planning Development and Infrastructure Act 2016). As a councillor, I will advocate for greater community consultation, information sharing and transparency throughout the planning and application process. Like many residents, I am disappointed by the loss of many of our character homes. I do not want to see more character homes demolished and land subdivided. The council can and should do more to support residents to maintain their properties rather than demolishing and rebuilding. The argument that houses and building are not up to code and beyond disrepair is not good enough. Renovating existing homes rather than demolition and building new is more sustainable, uses more labour than materials and maintains the character of our city. Last year we finished a significant extension on our 1920’s Bungalow and couldn’t be happier with the result achieved by our local builder and local suppliers. If we had a Heritage Advisor on council they would be able to advocate for a formalised process to protect our heritage homes.
How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
The appointment of a Heritage Advisor on council (as discussed) would be able to advocate for a formalised process to protect our natural and built heritage as well as a strategic heritage long term plan ensuring Prospect council has the funding allocation to achieve positive outcomes. There are already many dedicated people and community organisations working tirelessly in this space in our local area. I would seek to improve protections by directly working with them to bridge the gap between council and these community groups with a strong commitment to local heritage.
We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
Sadly, Prospect Council does not currently have the funding allocation to meet the requirement of a thematic analysis for any new additions to the register (as per Practice Direction 2 of the Planning Development and Infrastructure Act 2016). This means that new places can not be added to our local heritage listing. I am learning as I go and don’t profess to have all the answers but I heard from David O'Loghlin last night at the online Local Heritage Advocacy Forum, to conduct a thematic analysis, would cost approximately $40,000 with a further $60,000 to update the register. I believe we should explore options to fund this as a priority for the next financial plan in order to maintain and protect the character and heritage of our city.
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?
The impact of the Planning and Design code has resulted in catastrophic loss throughout South Australia. I would like to see more transparency in the whole planning process. Well planned development takes time and must involve proper and thorough community consultation. We must also ensure that councillors remain unbiased when considering planning proposals. They must not be making decisions for personal or political gain. Councillors are already paid an allowance for their time so political donations that could sway their decisions should be banned.
What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
We are fortunate that many of our Prospect streets are tree lined. Sadly though we have lost trees and green spaces to infill development. I think we need to focus on the green spaces we already have It would also be great to see increased lighting in our parks and green spaces so that they can be used safely for longer periods. I know many people with young families who walk their dogs and exercise early in the morning and after their children go to bed. I would also like to see the street scapes improved by adding plants and trees. This could also be achieved by giving residents a rebate on money spent to beautify their verge or as a deduction on council rates. Grants could also be given to local streets who may wish to work together to beautify their verges. This could be a great community project which I would love to be a part of. I would seek to reduce infill development as well as greater community consultation for proposed developments. Open and green spaces must be protected and promoted.
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?
Grants or a reduction in council rates could encourage people to renovate, rather than demolish and build anew.
How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
The community should firstly be properly consulted in the design process. This includes all relevant stakeholders, residents, local businesses, state government representatives, community groups and developers. Often community consultation seems to be more to tick a box rather than deep engagement and rich discussion. This must change.
Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
We are fortunate that many of our Prospect streets are tree lined. You can never have too many trees though and I'd personally love to see the street scapes improved with extra greenery especially on our main roads in the North ward, Prospect, Regency and Main North Rd.
How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
I would like to see significant and regulated trees in Prospect protected from removal. I understand that this is becoming more challenging due to the new planning and development code. Advocating to save our trees is important. We as a community need to do as much as we can in this space, working together to do more with all the relevant community groups and stakeholders.
What involvement should Councils have in decisions about protecting or removing significant and regulated trees?
I am interested to look in to how many significant and regulated trees are in our local area. If elected I would advocate for a Heritage Advisor on council. I am disappointed that we don't already have one. The appointment of a Heritage Advisor could advocate for the protection and conservation of our natural and built heritage.
What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
The impacts of climate change can not be underestimated. Steps that can be taken to slow or mitigate this in our local area include raising awareness and information sharing. Encouraging recycling, sharing and reusing resources, consuming less, wasting less, as well as greening our commutes by ride sharing or using public transport. Protecting and planting more trees also has a direct impact on climate change. We need to engage everyone in our community with the implementation of these actions including working with schools and early education sites.
What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
There are increased problems with parking and traffic in Prospect. As a parent with children at both Rosary School and Prospect Community Early Education and Care I understand first-hand the increasing issues with parking and traffic. I would like to see better kiss and drop zones around our schools and council being more pro-active in finding solutions to these issues by liaising with all stakeholders rather than simply issuing fines. The two hour parking zones around Prospect Rd has also put local businesses under pressure as there is nowhere for staff to park, often resulting in staff having to walk long distances in the dark, alone to get to their cars. There is very little parking available for all of our local Prospect Rd shops and Cafés and I feel their businesses are effected because of this. If elected, I would seek to increase parking spaces. Re-development is an opportunity to address this issue if well planned.
How could transport options be improved in your area?
It would also be great to have a designated park and ride space for people to commute to and from the city using public transport day to day, for business as well as recreation
What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
Increased community consultation with all stakeholders to ensure development is well planned.and considered.
Appointment of a Heritage Advisor and Heritage Strategic plan
Advocate for greater transparency and information sharing throughout the planning process.