Alison Debacker

2018 candidate for City of Prospect.
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)?
    Totally agree. The knowledge, support and protection of built character and heritage should be facilitated at a local government level.

  2. In your opinion, has the current system of local heritage protection served your community well?
    Please refer to my personal submissions to the parliamentary heritage inquiry #087 and the Prospect Local History Group for further detail. https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Committees/Pages/Committees.aspx?CTId=5&CId=339

  3. Should councils reject proposals to list local places of historic merit simply because an owner objects?
    There are many restrictions on development including, zoning, parking and heritage. Owners can also be governments as is the case of the old Police Station on Main North Road. I believe there is a broader concern that development approvals are completed “on merit” . There are too many “shoulds” and not enough “musts” in current development plans. Development and heritage do not have to be mutually exclusive.

  4. Should neighbours of local heritage listed buildings have a right of appeal on development applications that propose demolition?
    Yes. Even from a sustainability point of view - built heritage should be retained wherever possible. Unfortunately, there are many character homes that are not local heritage listed being demolished in parts of the City of Prospect. The collective of Character is as important as individual local heritage listings. Character statements are vague and not widely enforced by planners or understood by applicants. An LGA inner metro heritage and architectural service is needed.

  5. Should buildings listed as Contributory Items in your council area receive better protection?
    Yes. Any protection is better than none. Often the reaction to poor development in existing areas is a reaction to the altered streetscape.

  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?
    No. Though I do agree in communication with the state departments, independant advice by local heritage architects should be commissioned at a local council level. By the community for the community.

  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, however. there may be an even better model with collobaoration with the AIA and CITB and other training organisations. Heritage needs to think beyond academia and on the ground accessible workshops by students,architects, communities and the building industry.

  8. What are your personal suggestions for improving the way your council handles policy and planning?
    Please refer to my personal submissions to the heritage inquiry and the Prospect Local History Group for further detail. #087 https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Committees/Pages/Committees.aspx?CTId=5&CId=339

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

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