Stefan McAlindon

2014 candidate for City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters.
Heritage survey responses.

1. What do you think Council's role is in protecting and conserving heritage?
   Payneham enjoys a rich history, with a number of outstanding individuals whose names live on through the names of our streets today. In addition a number of heritage listed buildings, dwellings and other structures can be found within Payneham. It is important that council takes an active role in identifying, protecting and preserving our heritage. It is vital that Council take an active role in heritage management, especially given the ever increasing developments in our area. In addition, I believe that Council should aim to strengthen its relationship with organisations such as the National Trust. The passion, knowledge and experience that members of these organisations can offer is a valuable resource in heritage maintenance and policy, so that are heritage listings are able to be studied, visited and enjoyed by many generations to come. Once we loose our heritage sites, we cannot get them back.

2. What measures and incentives do you support to protect and conserve local heritage?
   I support the Development Plan of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters Council. Page 75 of this document lists the objectives of the Development Plan in regards to heritage. Of special interest to me are objectives and which I have listed below. Objective 107: The identification, conservation and enhancement of land, buildings and structures and their settings, which are of indigenous, non-indigenous and natural heritage and that display aesthetic, architectural, historic, social, economic, cultural, archaeological, technological, spiritual, geological or scientific significance Objective 111: Development which conserves and reinforces the historic integrity of the Council area and is compatible with the desired character of the appropriate zone and policy area.

3. What is the most important heritage protection issue in your local government area?
   A number of factors are driving urban development, including but not limited to rising housing prices leading to sub-dividing of existing properties; and construction of retirement villages to support the needs of our ageing population. The rapid increase in development needs to be continually reassessed as to conserve heritage structures. Of particular concern in Payneham ward are a number of heritage listings which resident's have brought to my attention. One particular site, underground wine cellars once belonging to Justice Edward C Gwynne found at lot 92, 72 Barnes Road, Glynde comes to mind. These cellars are a doorway into the rich history of our area. I was recently approached by a local resident who was concerned that council had declared the site unsafe and the resident was concerned as to the future of the cellars. After researching more into the site, I quickly came to the conclusion that maintenance and protection of sites such as these cellars are vital to keeping the history and character of our area alive.

4. What policies and programs will you advocate to protect and conserve heritage in your local area?
   I intend to strengthen relationships with organisations such as National Trust, as to advocate to state government for further protection of our heritage sites. I also wish to work with owners of heritage sites, so that they can appropriately manage a heritage site, while maintaining their own home and land. As I mentioned above, I support the Council's development plan in regards to heritage listings, and would advocate to ensure that it remains part of Council policy.

5. Do you support local Councils retaining development approval powers for projects over $3m in value?
   I do support Council retaining the aforementioned powers. No development is an island, and large projects such as these affect not only the owners of the project but surrounding residents as well. It is important that these residents have a voice through local concern to communicate their concerns. In addition, further to my vision of council taking an active role in heritage management, it is important that Local Council maintain the ability to ensure responsible development that maintains our heritage sites.

6. Do you have any other thoughts about the protection of heritage in your Council area?
   I look forward to working with local residents in maintaining our heritage sites. Of particular interest to resident's of Payneham would be the book; Payneham: Garden Village to City, which can be found in the Payneham library. I particular enjoyed reading about our rich history and discovering the hidden heritage treasures within our ward, although I was saddened to find a number of interesting sites no longer standing. If you would like to contact me to discuss heritage, or any other issues relating to Council that I may be able to assist with, please feel free to contact me on 0416 873 428, or email me at stefan.mcalindon@gmail.com