Justin Wyten

2014 candidate for City of West Torrens.
Heritage survey responses.

What do you think Council's role is in protecting and conserving heritage?
As the body responsible for urban planning and environmental policy, the council should be at the forefront of both protecting the heritage upon which the area was founded, as well as conserving and preserving it for future generations. This should be evident in well balanced policies that provide room for future proofing our council area sensibly, while also maintaining the historical elements that are of great importance to recognise the foundations upon which our council has become the wonderful place it is today.
What measures and incentives do you support to protect and conserve local heritage?
I support all measures that contribute to preserving and protecting the rich and diverse heritage of our community and its surrounds, while still allowing sensible planning for the future to occur.
What is the most important heritage protection issue in your local government area?
Currently it is the Brickworks kiln site and ensuring that it remains a protected historical asset – free of commercial advertising.
What policies and programs will you advocate to protect and conserve heritage in your local area?
As previously mentioned, I will support all policies and programs of work that contribute to preserving and protecting the rich and diverse heritage of our community and its surrounds, while still allowing sensible planning for the future to occur. The memorial policy, which allows us to readily identify important moments in our history, and the Cummins House management plan, ensuring this space remains intact for the enjoyment of all, are two current policies that I am personally passionate about.
Do you support local Councils retaining development approval powers for projects over $3m in value?
Absolutely. I think a possible solution is to raise the limit on handing over of control, but think that $3M is far too low given the impact a construction of this cost will have on the streetscape, environment, and traffic demands in our local community. I believe local impacts should be managed locally in line with the plans and policies in place by the council.
Do you have any other thoughts about the protection of heritage in your Council area?
I have purchased one of the original houses in the Mile End area built in 1910, and I am currently renovating the house to it’s former glory. I am doing this as I am passionate about maintaining the heritage of the area, and didn’t want the house and land to fall into further ruin. I have spent many hours in the state library researching the history of our area to ensure that I understand the historical context of the land and building, and structure that I am working on. I have also taking plant cuttings from Cummins House to ensure that our plantings reflect the history of our area. This displays my personal passion for the conservation and protection of the history of our council area, and I will apply the same approach to the overall management direction of our council. We can move forward in to the future sensibly, while ensuring we protect and preserve our heritage.