Adrian David Shackley

2014 candidate for Town of Gawler.
Heritage survey responses.

1. What do you think Council's role is in protecting and conserving heritage?
   Council has an important role in protecting and looking after its own heritage buildings and structure - Town hall, Institute, Mill bridge, bluestone street kerbing, Clonlea and Dead Mans Pass historic reserves. Protecting natural heritage is also important in reserves and along Gawler's rivers.. Council currently needs to update the protection of the c300 historic stone walls in the town. Plus a vital role in setting planning policies for the council area, educating people about sympathetic development of heritage places and heritage areas and dealing with development applications. Regulating development and heritage legislation appropriately.

2. What measures and incentives do you support to protect and conserve local heritage?
   Appropriate policies in the Development Plan. Gawler has a grant scheme to assist with works on local heritage places and restoration of heritage walls and is also involved in Work for the Dole scheme which could provide assistance. I have supported Council's rate rebate scheme for commercial buildings being adjusted so that the rebates can be set aside in a fund for restoration works in cases of a few buildings which are currently neglected. Gawler's new Community Plan encapsulates many of these matters.

3. What is the most important heritage protection issue in your local government area?
   Upgrading of Town Hall and Institute for both conservation and community use benefits. Updating of development policies and Development Plan so that historic buildings in older areas outside current Historic Conservation Zones are protected from demolition and from innappropriate land division. Open space planning for new housing areas so that natural creeklines are restored and conserved as biodiversity corridors as well as recreation assets for residents.

4. What policies and programs will you advocate to protect and conserve heritage in your local area?
   I support the policies Council currently has in place for heritage conservation. Additional matters include upgrading of Town Hall and Institute for both conservation and community use benefits, protection of historic buildings in older areas outside current Historic Conservation Zones, better protection of historic walls, higher priority for restoration of natural ecosystems on Council reserves and along Gawler's rivers and creeks.

5. Do you support local Councils retaining development approval powers for projects over $3m in value?
   Yes.

6. Do you have any other thoughts about the protection of heritage in your Council area?
   Protection of Gawler's character as an historic town is a current priority with a Council Development Plan Amendments underway. Character protection also involves maintaining rural open space around the urban footprint of Gawler and maintaining vistas to the Adelaide Hills and across the Adelaide plains. Supporting successful use of major heritage assets through incentives for private owners and promotion of compatible uses is a role for Councils. Being involved in Mainstreet SA is important for this. Plus an active Council role in maintaining streets and public places for character and amenity. Creating Gawler as a centre where young innovative people want to live and work will help.