Sandra Kaye Brown

2014 candidate for City of Onkaparinga.
Heritage survey responses.

What do you think Council's role is in protecting and conserving heritage?
vital, we are local and the grass roots of our community so know first hand what is going on in our area. We are the custodians for future generations. Without support for our heritage and history it will be lost forever. Once gone, its lost. However we must make the State accountable, they have our taxes and should show a duty of care. They have depleted the State Heritage funding and show little to no support. Just look at the heritage grandstands at Adelaide Oval, that were funded by local Adelaide families. I understand not even a application to remove the heritage stands or attempts to save and re-use heritage items for posterity. I organised saving the stones of the heritage grandstand at Morphett Vale Oval for a gateway entrance. I sought funding for a heritage study of the location and gave copies of it to each club in the complex and council. The grandstand was built by the community in 1922 in honour of World War 1 residents whom died in the war. There was no listing to save it. Local councillors must have an awareness of their local heritage and support for it, being part of the decision making process. Too few have shown an interest in recent terms. We lost the heritage committee as a result of what was said, disinterested councillors. The profile of heritage needs raising. This will open the eyes of candidates showing a need to support local heritage.
What measures and incentives do you support to protect and conserve local heritage?
I have demonstrated my interest in showing the years of work in getting a heritage grant, forming a local club committee and seeking ways to stop demolition of what was a World War 1 Memorial. I have activated local community in seeking their State Member for Reynell support the retention of the Village of Catherine, 100m from her office. But in this case we failed but did have petitions lodged in parliament with 2,000 signatures. Gaye Thompson MP showed no interest, In Old Reynella I activated saving Old Reynella Horse Changing Station. I have my husband retaining his builders licence to oversee and help volunteers rebuilt it. I go beyond what is considered my role as an elected member as I fear the escalating loss of our cultural heritage through disinterest of other parties. If the profile is raised it will change. I have already succeeded in getting history put back into the school agendas, which will create more interest from youth and schools to feel, see, touch and understand.
What is the most important heritage protection issue in your local government area?
There are many as developers see heritage getting in the way of them making money. This council is constantly have housing estates built and there seems little to stop and retain our local heritage as it is seen as only farms, changing stations, family estates, mills etc. The current attitude of the state is to support developers and show no interest in the existing community. The changes in the development act disregarding the Expert Panel shows the pro-development at any cost thinking of the current planning minister. Developers fund the government. Old Reynella lost Stoney Hill, the first commercial vineyard in SA. The former SA History CEO (Bell)wrote a report for the developer - so how can you fight that? He said there were no John Reynell diaries, but I have since read them. Once gone, gone forever. There is little evidence of Stoney Hill, just high density housing now.
What policies and programs will you advocate to protect and conserve heritage in your local area?
I would support re-instatement of the heritage committee so the local heritage could be supported protected and promoted. Council has continued with the heritage grants. I would support it be retained. I would support persons with heritage knowledge and interest to be on the committee, however in the past it has been voted against having local external expertise on council committees. Council currently funds a heritage advisor and part time heritage officer, which I would support to be continued. Your pressure may raise awareness and hopefully interest and support.
Do you support local Councils retaining development approval powers for projects over $3m in value?
yes, but they need to have expertise on their panels, Currently it is politics that votes elected members on the panel, with little to no need of knowledge, skill, expertise or ability. I saw the most qualified elected member ever to be nominated on a development assessment panel, not chosen for what could be said political reasons. It is disappointing to attend a development assessment panel meeting when it seems obvious member/s have not read the agenda. Commitment, ability, expertise, skill and knowledge must be a criteria and priority.
Do you have any other thoughts about the protection of heritage in your Council area?
as above if you create enough external pressure, it will raise the profile and bring it to the attention of candidates.