Craig Wilkins

2018 candidate for City of Mitcham.
Heritage survey responses.

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)?
While both Local Councils and State Government have an important role in heritage protection, local councils, with their clearer sense of local identity and character are better placed to get the balance right between protection and development.
In your opinion, has the current system of local heritage protection served your community well?
In general, yes, but constant vigilance and community input is critical
Should councils reject proposals to list local places of historic merit simply because an owner objects?
No. A listing should be based on its merits, not its ownership
Should neighbours of local heritage listed buildings have a right of appeal on development applications that propose demolition?
Yes
Should buildings listed as Contributory Items in your council area receive better protection?
I choose to live in a house that is a Contributory Item. Better protection can occur in many different ways (both incentive based and regulation based).
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?
Both systems could work well, or not, depending on the skills, capacity and independence of the people involved. On balance, I would suggest an independent source of expert advice should be the forum.
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
What are your personal suggestions for improving the way your council handles policy and planning?
Should councils actively encourage individuals to nominate places for consideration as local heritage?
Yes