Wayne Thomas

2022 candidate for Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council.
Heritage survey responses.

1. Do you think that Councils and community members need to have a greater voice in planning and development decisions affecting their local area?
   Yes

2. What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
   Councils can first identify sites of high importance and should be prepared to advocate to protect those sites if under threat

3. How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
   As with the above

4. We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
   I tend to think that quite a few people only believe that heritage applies to pre1900's . Increasing the value we put on significant sites actually adds value to our area, not just in tourism potential but also in having a more attractive place to live.

5. How has the Planning and Design Code impacted on the heritage, amenity, and environment of your area? What changes would you seek to the Code?
   So far we haven't seen significant negative affects for our council area. As with the response above I would not be suggesting major changes but am always willing to listen to any potential improvements.

6. What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
   Infill so far not a major issue for our council area and sensible infill would actually be more desirable then too much sprawl

7. Construction of new housing typically uses 30% labour and 70% materials. Renovation of existing housing stock typically uses 70% labour and 30% materials. What policy changes would you like to see made to encourage people to renovate, rather than demolish and build anew?
   Education most probably better then legislation except for heritage listed sites which should have some sort of funding stream [cheap loans?]

8. How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
   The information is available, maybe a general education campaign to let those interested know how to stay informed

9. Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
   In our area generally yes though riparian zones could be improved

10. How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
    Most of our trees are covered under the Native Veg Act

11. What involvement should Councils have in decisions about protecting or removing significant and regulated trees?
    Not a significant issue for us

12. What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
    In our council area increasing carbon levels in our agricultural soils has great potential,

13. What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
    Not significant at the moment

14. How could transport options be improved in your area?
    Limited practical options available.

15. What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
    Protection of rural landscapes
    Development of quality low cost housing design