Bill Cole

2018 candidate for Port Augusta 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)?
   No. One of the reasons that I am running is that Port Augusta Council has utterly no idea of the need to recognize and preserve our heritage. Their current attitude is one of, "Well it's reached the end of it's useful life, so let's knock it down".

2. In your opinion, has the current system of local heritage protection served your community well?
   No. See above for my reasons.

3. Should councils reject proposals to list local places of historic merit simply because an owner objects?
   Absolutely not.

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

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?
   I'd prefer an independent review.

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?
   Council needs to listen to the community and also consult more effectively.

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