William Miller

2018 candidate for City of Holdfast Bay.
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)?
   Absolutely. Local decisions are always best made at a local level. We know what is important to us, and too often we witness the destruction of our heritage due to the poor insight of DPTI and others.

2. In your opinion, has the current system of local heritage protection served your community well?
   No. Though many beautiful residences remain protected, we have lost a lot of historic heritage buildings in Holdfast Bay over the past two decades- including Hud House and the Ozone/Wallis Cinema. The loss of our heritage homes happens all too often in Holdfast Bay.

3. Should councils reject proposals to list local places of historic merit simply because an owner objects?
   No. Though owners should have a say in their household, it is up to the community to determine whether a place harbours important heritage for the area. It should be a consultative process, where owners and policymakers can find common ground.

4. Should neighbours of local heritage listed buildings have a right of appeal on development applications that propose demolition?
   Yes, we should allow for as many avenues as possible to safeguard our historic character.

5. Should buildings listed as Contributory Items in your council area receive better protection?
   All constructions pre-1935 should receive better protection from our Council.

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 would be more appropriately conducted by an independent source of expert advice. If the move is supported by the Holdfast Bay History Centre, Glenelg Historic Society, and/or any other notable heritage organisation, that is good enough for me.

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?
   Absolutely. The more council can do for heritage preservation the better.

8. What are your personal suggestions for improving the way your council handles policy and planning?
   Heritage preservation is my primary platform. My suggestions include: - advocate for council to have more of its planning powers back so it can adequately address development failings - liaise with the Holdfast Bay History Centre and form a register of residential properties in Holdfast Bay pre-1935, having that register available when houses on it are earmarked for demolition so the community can actually be consulted and council can be made aware - work with the Glenelg Historic Society to further formulate sound heritage policy for the region - Advertise the Holdfast Bay History Centre where people can find out information about their residence from some dedicated and passionate volunteers. Let people know why our history is so important and embrace our identity as the oldest established settlement in SA - Fight back against the deliberate dilapidation tactics of some residential property owners (finding balance on this is important, but I feel it still needs to be done) Failing this, I vow to be a stalwart supporter of heritage preservation, regardless of how the rest of council may act.

9. Should councils actively encourage individuals to nominate places for consideration as local heritage?
   I will be a passionate and engaged voice for heritage, and if on council I will be an active voice for the protection of our historic residences. I would welcome new nominations for local heritage in our council area.