Sim Dhaliwal

2022 candidate for City of Mitcham.
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, I think that councils and community members should have a strong voice in planning and development decisions affecting their local area. The best planning outcomes happen when community members are engaged in the planning process from the outset and when they have a way of participating in planning and development decisions at all stages of the process. The ways in which the community can participate in planning and development decisions should be made clear and accessible to all community members, especially those directly impacted by the decisions. The community should also be apprised of the reasons for such development. Increasingly, state government is involved in planning and development decisions. As we respond to changes impacting our nation (eg climate change, aging population, increased migration, pandemics, etc) we can expect this to happen. The Council will be a conduit between state and local objectives and must act to balance the needs of all. For liveable and vibrant communities, it is essential that the built environment meets and reflects state and local policy objectives. Sometimes this may mean state objectives override local objectives and sometimes this may mean local objectives may override state objectives, depending on the case. Council's role is crucial as a fulcrum on which this balancing act works.

2. What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
   Preserving local heritage places is important as it provides the community with a unique character and promotes social cohesion through of a sense of history, self, place and identity. Preserving heritage sites helps us remember where we came from and who we are. As a supporter of strategies that help us mitigate the impacts of climate change, I see the preservation of heritage sites as having advantages and disadvantages. A significant advantage is that heritage buildings tend to be more environmentally sustainable. For example, the California bungalows in Colonel Light Gardens tend to stay cooler for longer in summer. Additionally, the Garden City town planning concept of mixed-use space utilised to build Colonel Light Gardens is beneficial to building social cohesion and community. However, some aspects of heritage conservation are disadvantageous. For example, planting of verges in Colonel Light Gardens with plantings beneficial to native wildlife is not allowed. Also, the placement of solar panels and water tanks often conflicts with heritage rules. The role of council, therefore, is to protect heritage places as much as possible, while considering other priorities that are crucial to the well-being of the community and environment in the local area.

3. How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
   The preservation of heritage places is vital to preserving a community's sense of identity. We have many communities in our local area. For me, heritage includes preserving history of First Nations peoples, original settlers, as well as the various multicultural groups that have migrated to Adelaide throughout history. I would seek engagement with the various community groups in our local area to identify places of cultural and historical significance and look to ensure these links to history are preserved and promoted through the lens of building community cohesion, environmental sustainability and future planning. For example, how can we promote the mixed space use in Colonel Light Gardens to promote further community cohesion?

4. We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
   Having something become heritage listed requires a concerted effort from a dedicated group of interested individuals to engage in protracted lobbying. Not many people have the time to engage in such an activity.

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?
   I am unfamiliar with this Code but will seek to learn more about it if elected.

6. What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
   I am unfamiliar with infill development. A brief reading of information on the internet suggests it involves "the construction of buildings or other facilities on previously unused or underutilized land located within an existing area". If this is the case, my view would be to maintain a balance between empty spaces and built spaces. I think a community thrives with spaces of greenery or parklands between housing or other buildings.

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8. How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
   Council should explore different ways of making information about the phases of the development accessible to the public. Communication strategies will be different per different demographic groups (eg face to face, website, letters, community forums, etc).

9. Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
   Definitely not. There are many spaces that require trees, and other plantings.

10. How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
    Addressing people's concerns about significant trees that impact on them (eg falling branches).

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12. What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
    Plantings, incentives from council for installing rain water tanks, solar panels, batteries, electric car chargers at home, etc.

13. What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
    People using side streets to travel between main roads.

14. How could transport options be improved in your area?
    Lighting in the area so people feel safe walking to and from train station when dark. More bus routes and more frequent buses.

15. What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?