Jan-Claire Wisdom

2022 candidate for Adelaide Hills Council.
Heritage survey responses.

1. Do you think that Councils and community members need to have a greater voice in planning and development decisions affecting their local area?
   Yes very much. Councils should have both a defining role in the policy planning at the outset and in the development application process outcome.

2. What role should Councils play in protecting local heritage places from demolition or inappropriate development?
   Yes very much. Councils should have both a defining role in the policy planning at the outset and in the development application process outcome. They can collect community views in an engagement process which should be input into the decision making process.

3. How would you seek to improve protections for heritage places in your area?
   Councils need greater representation in the development application process to at least half the members of development committees. Councils need better access to financial support to protect decaying heritage infrastructure.

4. We rarely see new places added to local heritage listings. Why do you think this is?
   Lack of process and action from State Government.

5. How has the Planning and Design Code impacted on the heritage, amenity, and environment of your area? What changes would you seek to the Code?
   See formal submissions made by Adelaide Hills Council.

6. What are the impacts of infill development in your area? What changes would you seek in the rules around infill development?
   Infill is highly restricted due to township boundaries. However infill must consider appropriate development/availability of parking spaces and increased minimum block sizes including legislation for increased proportion of green space per block. Additionally more green community space needs to be preserved/ created.

7. Construction of new housing typically uses 30% labour and 70% materials. Renovation of existing housing stock typically uses 70% labour and 30% materials. What policy changes would you like to see made to encourage people to renovate, rather than demolish and build anew?
   See above. Also Stronger legislation to protect existing housing stock. Stamp fee incentives to encourage Renovations.

8. How should the community be informed and involved in decisions about new developments?
   More transparency and input to final decisions and not solely at the policy stage.

9. Do you think there is adequate tree canopy across your local government area?
   Absolutely not.

10. How would you like to see significant and regulated trees in your area protected from removal?
    No trees removed until a development application is approved to reduce canopy loss. No automatic approval of tree removal by developers especially if only one or two trees remain. Larger proportion of existing trees per block retained at outset to avoid replacement by a single specimen tree.

11. What involvement should Councils have in decisions about protecting or removing significant and regulated trees?
    Greater powers of tree retention through legislation.

12. What actions would you advocate to slow or mitigate the impacts of climate change in your local government area?
    Greater retention of tree canopy at block, street and precinct level to reduce heat impact and encourage mental well-being. Incentives for carbon reduction programs at individual and council levels. No large scale development on agricultural land. Increased protection and financial support for improving/maintaining/ increasing biodiversity and reduction in flora and fauna species loss. More support for renewable energy programs at community level.

13. What issues are there with traffic and parking in your area?
    Not enough park and rides to encourage use of public transport. Greater provision of off road parking options for residents.

14. How could transport options be improved in your area?
    Huge improvement needed in public transport options including consideration of light rail. Need to reduce number of trucks on M1 freeway through Adelaide Hills by provision of alternative northern bypass routes. Imposed safety checks of drivers and their trucks prior to descent on freeway long before Crafers descent.

15. What would your top three priorities be for improving planning policy and outcomes in your local government area?
    Planning must address climate change mitigation at every level.
    Preservation of character considerations.
    Developers must include provision of community facilities at precinct and new suburb level inc schools, health and community hub facilities and ‘garden city’ and multigenerational living.