Martin Bailey

2014 candidate for Town of Gawler.
Heritage survey responses.

1. What do you think Council's role is in protecting and conserving heritage?
   Finding the correct balance between maintaining and ensuring safety of the public that may use heritage buildings as an example. When newer constructions are planned consideration as to the in character look is important as is the need for modern amenity for a progressive town. Community participation in heritage issues is a key factor to ensure all are represented and can have a say about conservation. AS ALWAYS strategic plans must incorporate achievable goals and adequate funding to play a role conserving heritage.

2. What measures and incentives do you support to protect and conserve local heritage?
   Ensure open and effective lines of communications in all levels of government where required to support efficiency in approval of major building reconstructs that maintain heritage. Assist project managers with issues requiring consideration for the balance between heritage and progressive developments.

3. What is the most important heritage protection issue in your local government area?
   Maintaining and in some cases rebuilding historic walls is an example of striking the balance between safety or keeping an old crumbling wall awaiting approvals for development. I am not for organisations that without approval or consultation place blocks of cement in front of an old wall creating different safety issues for pedestrians as well as general street appeal when another alternative may have been appropriate.I do support careful planned approached ways to maintain walls which is the subject of a group in Gawler as i understand.If a wall is going to fall in a public space sometimes for absolute safety reasons the structure may have to be removed and possibly rebuilt at a later juncture using new methods but conserving the heritage appeal.

4. What policies and programs will you advocate to protect and conserve heritage in your local area?
   Balance between progress and heritage. Support the history group of the town in their endeavours to conserve heritage. Programs that engage the wider community and establish effective links with planning authorities. Allocate funding and continue to search for available money both government and private to achieve the outcomes of conserving history and progressing amenities that are in keeping with heritage.

5. Do you support local Councils retaining development approval powers for projects over $3m in value?
   If the skill level is available to those on council and employed by council to project manage and or coordinate project managers involved in the development with out any conflict of interest i see no reason why council should not be the approval point for costly projects. Where additional knowledge may be required council could still retain authority but consult other experts about particular issues if required.

6. Do you have any other thoughts about the protection of heritage in your Council area?
   Protection of heritage in relation to fine examples of buildings is worthy and respectful to our history. On the other hand i do not believe structures that have become dangerous unsightly and poor examples of heritage should be caught up in red tape for the sake of heritage. Progress is also important but that could mean pulling things down and starting again using modern building techniques but preserving the character in appropriate parts of the township.