Valdis Dunis

2018 candidate for Adelaide City Council.
Heritage survey responses.

  1. Do you agree that the identification and protection of local heritage places is best done by local councils rather than DPTI (Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure)?
    Identification definitely best done locally at the council level. For protection, I think best to have both councils and DPTI guarding that the heritage property is protected, but best eyes and ears as to what is happening with heritage places is at the local Council level.

  2. In your opinion, has the current system of local heritage protection served your community well?
    No, especially in the North Adelaide area. The 11 'large institutions' (hospitals, colleges and religious entities) in North Adelaide now have freedoms to buy, demolish and build new car parks or new buildings on their (expanding) footprints under the recently enacted "Rau Rules". They no longer need to seek the inputs of neighbouring residents or businesses, or even Adelaide City Council with the new Rau Rules. 306 Ward Street is the first test case of these new rules being applied where Calvary Hospital bought this grand heritage 1850s home and gardens and is seeking to demolish them to build mostly just a carpark instead. As per a recent City Council study, up to 155 other properties are immediately at risk - https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/city/hundreds-of-north-adelaide-properties-could-be-affected-by-a-development-plan-prompting-the-outgoing-lord-mayor-to-aim-a-rocket-at-the-planning-minister/news-story/957723cfaa18c0d98e9eb0ddbc183d3f.

  3. Should councils reject proposals to list local places of historic merit simply because an owner objects?
    No.

  4. Should neighbours of local heritage listed buildings have a right of appeal on development applications that propose demolition?
    Yes

  5. Should buildings listed as Contributory Items in your council area receive better protection?
    Yes

  6. Do you agree that places proposed for listing by your council as Local Heritage or Contributory Items should be subject to review by DPTI? Or would reviews be more appropriately conducted by an independent source of expert advice?
    Reviews are more appropriately conducted by an independent source of expert advice.

  7. Would you like to see your council work more closely with the National Trust of SA in protecting heritage, for example, by signing up as one of the Trust's Civic Partners?
    Yes.

  8. What are your personal suggestions for improving the way your council handles policy and planning?
    Have to fight - as a community - to scrap the new Rau Rules.

  9. Should councils actively encourage individuals to nominate places for consideration as local heritage?
    Yes

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