Terry Stuart

2014 candidate for City of Playford.
Heritage survey responses.

What do you think Council's role is in protecting and conserving heritage?
Different people have different perceptions of the value of old buildings. For some they are a nuisance, and they get in the way of modern life. Relevancy to modern needs is one of the challenges that faces admirers of old buildings. Redundancy is a major issue for many building types, for example, small houses in towns and countryside, or, for some communities, churches. Fine banks built in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries also represent a building type whose social function is changing. Finding functions that match the spaces and internal arrangements of old buildings continues to challenge owners and their architects. Careful planning for buildings that are becoming less useful, and consultation with its ‘community-of-interest’ – usually people who live near it - can engage more creative thinking about viable future usages. Other people who are very attached to the buildings that they use may nonetheless be concerned about their condition, and how they perform to keep out the rain and the cold. Maintenance, including preventative maintenance, costs money, even if ‘a stitch in time saves nine’. The Heritage Council provides funding, and information about sources of funding, for the conservation and continued weatherproofing of old structures and I believe that no matter what council area we live in all councils play an important part in helping preserve our heritage .
What measures and incentives do you support to protect and conserve local heritage?
I am in favor of Incentives that relate to measures which leave the choice regarding whether to invest or protect a heritage value up to the private owner. The object is to make it worthwhile for them to do the right thing - but the community carries the risk that the owner will not take up the offer. These are best used when there is latent commercial value in the retention or restoration of heritage. Incentives are usually delivered in the form of minor tax breaks or fee exemptions to prompt property owners to maintain facades, repaint in heritage colours, and generally keep key heritage elements from deterioration.I am in favor of grants such as, Entitlement grants,Discretionary grants,Performance grants, Loan subsidies,Revolving funds,Technical assistance, volunteers,Development bonuses Assistance typically takes the form of small, one off grants to help with restoration,
What is the most important heritage protection issue in your local government area?
I believe the most important heritage protection issue in Playford are: (a) Smithfield Magazine Area, Andrews Road and Curtis Road, McDonald Park (b) House, Stables/Barn, Shearing Shed and Sheep Dip (former "Yattalunga" Outbuildings Medlow Road, Uleybury House and Outbuildings "Yattalunga", Gawler-One Tree Hill Road, Yattalunga Former Barn/Stables,Main North Road blakeview This is only a very short list of places which are of concern
What policies and programs will you advocate to protect and conserve heritage in your local area?
I would Volunteer to make a difference to the environment by planting trees, protecting wildlife and working on community gardens and Buildings etc as I believe Local Government must play a central role in protecting and conserving the heritage in our local area and I would advocate very strongly in this area
Do you support local Councils retaining development approval powers for projects over $3m in value?
Yes I do support local Councils retaining development approval powers for projects over $3m in value
Do you have any other thoughts about the protection of heritage in your Council area?
Heritage places are important to current and future generations. When communities work together to identify and conserve heritage places, they can reflect on the past and build stronger bonds for the future. Keeping these places enables the community to experience again and again the pleasures they offer. Once lost, they are gone forever. No record or photograph can ever substitute for an actual place.