Robyn Holtham

2018 candidate for City of Onkaparinga.
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)?
   Absolutely, being the local governing body means that we have specialist knowledge of Heritage properties and issues in our Council area. We also employ a Heritage Advisor who I would keep to advise us in decisions regarding Heritage and the selection of our Heritage Grant recipients and Heritage Awards.

2. In your opinion, has the current system of local heritage protection served your community well?
   Up until now I believe it has served us reasonably well although there is always room for improvement. I believe more could be done to encourage property owners to maintain and restore their Heritage properties. There is untapped potential here to tap into Tourism and boost the local economy.

3. Should councils reject proposals to list local places of historic merit simply because an owner objects?
   No as long as the owners rights and wishes in regard to personal privacy are respected.

4. Should neighbours of local heritage listed buildings have a right of appeal on development applications that propose demolition?
   Definitely and anyone else who has an interest in the property - Heritage is important to our community, past an present, in so many ways.

5. Should buildings listed as Contributory Items in your council area receive better protection?
   I would always defer to our Heritage advisor for direction on such questions since I am no expert.

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?
   Independent reviews by Heritage expert.

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?
   I would need to know more but certainly open to that if new Councillors are willing.

8. What are your personal suggestions for improving the way your council handles policy and planning?
   Timely and clear information sharing through formal channels between staff and Elected Members. Regular and easy methods of communication with community, especially regarding potentially contentious issues.

9. Should councils actively encourage individuals to nominate places for consideration as local heritage?
   Indeed - there should be many avenues open for interested community members to be involved in different aspects of civic life including local heritage