Christel Mex

2018 candidate for City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters.
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)?
   Local councils are best placed to identify and protect local heritage places. Councils have intimate knowledge of local history and the importance of built heritage to the community. With continuing down-sizing and funding cuts across state government departments, it is difficult to imagine that DPTI will have the required expertise or resources to protect local heritage.

2. In your opinion, has the current system of local heritage protection served your community well?
   The current system of local heritage protection has, for the most part, served us well. There could be some improvements to make the classification and protection of contributory items stronger and more consistent.

3. Should councils reject proposals to list local places of historic merit simply because an owner objects?
   The objection or endorsement of a landowner should have no bearing of classification of local heritage places.

4. Should neighbours of local heritage listed buildings have a right of appeal on development applications that propose demolition?
   All residents should have a right of appeal when heritage listed properties are at risk of demolition.

5. Should buildings listed as Contributory Items in your council area receive better protection?
   Contributory items are essential in retaining the collective 'street-scapes' of Historic Conservation Zones. It is essential that whey contributory items are approved for demolitions, that replacement buildings continue to be suitable to the zones, and are designed and constructed to complement the 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?
   The Heritage Branch would be more appropriate than DPTI.

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?
   Councils are rapidly losing their role in policy and planning. What we can do is increase education programs about heritage and the importance of protecting and retaining our Historic Conservation Zones and Contributory Items.

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