Sue McKay

2022 candidate for Adelaide City Council.
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?
   Definitely. Adelaide City Council needs to play a stronger role in advocating for heritage, residents, parklands and significant trees, which are often adversely impacted by planning and development decisions made by state government.

2. What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
   Councils should play the role of defender. Local heritage is what makes our city, suburbs and regional areas unique.

3. How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
   I would seek information from council's administration; liaise with heritage bodies and local residents; raise issues for discussion during council meetings; and escalate significant matters to the Capital City Committee. The state's planning act requires amendments to ensure local heritage places are better protected - this will be achieved if a wide range of stakeholders use different means to work towards a common goal.

4. We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
   I think it's because heritage listing is not valued - it's seen as an obstacle rather than an asset. I would like to see heritage listings expanded to include examples of more recent (20th century) architecture, factories and other significant buildings and items that reflect how we lived and worked. Protecting and valuing our history is a form of respect for people who feel connected to these places and items. This improves wellbeing. Visitors, new migrants and future generations will also gain an understanding of more diverse forms of heritage.

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?
   Heritage is often reduced to a sliver of facade that is topped with a large tower. Architectural design rarely melds the old with the new and the existing streetscape, neighbours and heritage are often overlooked. Prior to the sliver approach, the roof of the heritage building is often removed to allow weather damage and doors and windows are left open to facilitate access by squatters and vandals. The building deteriorates and is declared structurally unsound so demolition occurs. The Code needs to change to prevent owners and developers from doing these things.

6. What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
   Sorry but I'm not familiar with this term. If it refers to high density development, this needs to suitably located, e.g. highrise apartments should not be crammed on small parcels of land (behind heritage hotels) nor sited in streets that consist of single storey heritage homes. See also Q9.

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?
   Publicity to promote these facts and showcase examples of cost-effective, well-designed renovations.

8. How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
   Genuine consultation should occur early in the process and include all residents and businesses potentially impacted.

9. Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
   No. I have lived in the city's south west and worked in the CBD since 2004. There is hardly any tree canopy and temperatures can be around 10°C hotter.

10. How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
    Planning should incorporate these trees in the design.

11. What involvement should Councils have in decisions about protecting or removing significant and regulated trees?
    Councils should make these decisions in consultation with property owners.

12. What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
    I will advocate for less cars, better public transport and greening the city (particularly the south west).

13. What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
    There is no/little off-street parking and the local school is on a busy city street without speed restrictions.

14. How could transport options be improved in your area?
    I suggest a city-wide audit of public transport as transport usage changed during the pandemic. More flexible working arrangements were implemented and many office workers have opted to work from home for part of each week and/or travel at off-peak times. Perhaps smaller, more frequent buses are required? This is primarily the responsibility of state government.

15. What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
    Stronger leadership by city council
    Genuine consultation with stakeholders
    Better town planning