Sean Cullen-MacAskill

2022 candidate for Adelaide City Council.
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, we need to people back into our planning system so that the voices of residents are heard and new developments meet the expectations and needs of the community, not just big property developers.
What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
I believe Council should play an active role in protecting and conserving heritage. I believe that this is a key responsibility of a City Council. Heritage is fundamental to Adelaide's character and history and it must be preserved. As Councillor, I will campaign strongly against any attempts to take people out of the planning process that may lead to the destruction of our local heritage.
How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
I support a continuation of Adelaide City Council's Heritage Incentive Scheme and would also support moves for the heritage listing of the Adelaide Park Lands. I would also advocate for the State Government to provide better restoration grants to heritage places and buy back former government-owned buildings which have been sold off and left idle so that they may be put under public management and improved.
We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
Adding to local heritage listings allows for the recognition and and protection of places for present and future generations. It allows for our city's unique character to be retained and maintained for the benefit of the community. For those who own heritage listed places, it also has the benefit of opening potential support from different levels of government on conservation and alteration.
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?
There is significant feedback that the Planning and Design Code has contributed to the unnecessary loss of heritage and led to the approval of new developments which are inconsistent with the unique character of the City. I would support changes to the planning and design code to strengthen the voice of the community in planning decisions.
What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
I would support changes to ensure the protection of heritage and to improve the quality of infill where it occurs by increasing urban green cover and space for gardens, ensuring adequate access to transport options, and increasing street amenity.
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?
Further improvements to Adelaide City Council's Heritage Incentive Scheme would encourage renovation of existing places in the city.
How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
Members of the public should be notified as early as possible of planned new developments, and they should be able to easily access plans and other information about any given development. Public consultation on new developments should be include public events where possible, and feedback received from the community should be carefully considered before any decision is made.
Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
No. The existing tree canopy in the City should be expanded by planting more trees and enhancing existing green spaces.
How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
Council should support neighbors and other citizens to participate in decisions to remove large trees - their future is of concern to many in the community. Council should also advocate for expert assessments to be considered as part of any decisions which impact significant and regulated trees, and oppose developers clearing trees before any plans for replacement buildings have been lodged.
What involvement should Councils have in decisions about protecting or removing significant and regulated trees?
Council approval should be required for decisions regarding the removal, branch or limb lopping, or any other activity that might damage a significant or regulated tree.
What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
I would promote greening our city by planting more trees, enhancing green spaces and establishing more green roofs and vertical gardens. This would help to mitigate the effects of climate change by providing natural cooling of air and surfaces, keeping our city resilient and liveable in the future. In addition, I would advocate for increasing access to solar energy so that both owner‐occupiers and renters are able to switch to solar power.
What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
There are ongoing issues of lack of parking space and traffic congestion in the City.
How could transport options be improved in your area?
Transport options should be improved by finishing the North-South Bikeway and building an East-West Bikeway, as well as creating integrated, separated bikepaths throughout our city. In addition, Council should support extending the existing Free Connector Bus Service and advocate for extending the tram network.
What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
Strengthening the voice of the community in planning decisions
Support the heritage listing of the Adelaide Park Lands
Advocate for increasing green cover and improving street amenity