James Nenke

2014 candidate for Campbelltown City Council.
Heritage survey responses.

1. What do you think Council's role is in protecting and conserving heritage?
   Given that heritage sites are a visual and tangible reminder of our history, I believe Council's role in protecting these sites relates strongly to preserving and protecting such sites from today's infill development. The Development Plan is a vital tool in the protection of heritage sites via development control principles such as adjoining development setbacks and design articulation. It is also really important for the Council to educate the community about heritage issues to encourage protection. this can be achieved through readily available information sheets that provide the historic story of the building or site,

2. What measures and incentives do you support to protect and conserve local heritage?
   Having a degree in Urban and regional Planning, and experience working in Development Assessment - the Development Plan is the control mechanism that protects all sites identified by the SA Heritage Register. The Development Plan lists these sites, and along with the Development Act and Regulations, provides the legislative power to enable the control of adjoining development - ensuring the character of the heritage site is preserved. I further support the use of Heritage Advisor referrals as per the Development Act, for all heritage sites to be renovated, or protected by adjoining development.

3. What is the most important heritage protection issue in your local government area?
   To support and encourage private ownership of heritage sites, the Council needs to assist owners as the renovation or upkeep of such buildings can be extremely costly. The Council does provide an initial consultation visit with a Heritage Advisor, provides rate rebates, and waives development application fee's. I think this definitely helps, however having consideration of case by case scenarios where potentially one building may require much more work than another - Council should encourage such opportunity and attempt to provide more financial assistance to heritage advice.

4. What policies and programs will you advocate to protect and conserve heritage in your local area?
   The Council does have a Heritage Management Policy, which I have read and support. As an ex Development Assessment Planning Officer, I acknowledge the difficulties that owners of heritage buildings can have with Heritage Advisers, however I know that through open discussion, a positive outcome can be achieved. I understand the financial strain on upkeeping such buildings, however I also understand the importance that such buildings provide to the locality - i.e. a sense of heritage.

5. Do you support local Councils retaining development approval powers for projects over $3m in value?
   Yes - absolutely. I believe that the Planning Officers in Council who have a local understanding of place and community have a significant role in mediating between developers and State Heritage and Planning SA (DAC). The Council further plays a significant role in educating the community, and providing financial assistance through rate rebates.

6. Do you have any other thoughts about the protection of heritage in your Council area?