Penni Hamilton-Smith

2014 candidate for City of Mitcham.
Heritage survey responses.

1. What do you think Council's role is in protecting and conserving heritage?
   To consider both housing values and character development. To understand that most of council's capacity comes from rates which are limited. To realise that council's commitments are often over stretched . To instigate, assist with and negotiate solutions and conditions with developers rather than refuse applications which may lead to appeals. To provide a key planning role and connection to local places and the community. To practically support and provide resources. To cooperate. To provide leadership in planning for options and the benefit of the community. To be an environmental leader. To consult with the community.

2. What measures and incentives do you support to protect and conserve local heritage?
   Careful and considerate land use planning. The development and implementation of plans. Councillors' involvement in local heritage committees. Being aware of local and regional objectives. The effective management of local resources. Heritage listings where appropriate to avoid the confusions of small decision making. Taking into account environmental values. Realising the significant community contributions necessary to bring about a heritage listing. Preservation of historical record. Support of local community. A committed council. The protection of bio diversity. The preservation of scarce native vegetation. The improvement of links between listings. Assisting communication between the critical planning players.

3. What is the most important heritage protection issue in your local government area?
   The dam-no dam issue in Brownhill creek. I am a supporter of the No Dam Option D as I believe it to be the most cost effective and sensible solution to increased flow and the reduction of flooding.

4. What policies and programs will you advocate to protect and conserve heritage in your local area?
   Integrated catchment management. The use of control plans in order to anticipate and reduce gradual degradation. The preservation of our biodiversity, soil and cultural heritage. Consideration of the reduction in rateable land which may occur with heritage listings, management costs and the affects on planning decisions. Community consultation in the event of any intended development on unlisted potential heritage sites.

5. Do you support local Councils retaining development approval powers for projects over $3m in value?
   Yes. I believe that only local councils are closely involved enough with their local communities to be able to make these kinds of decisions in the best interests of those communities.

6. Do you have any other thoughts about the protection of heritage in your Council area?
   Many of my thoughts have been crystallised from the reading of Australian Government documentation on the Roles and Responsibilities of Local Government and Heritage. I grew up in the Mitcham Council area attending Colonel Light Gardens Primary School and later Unley High School. My parents built their dream home in the late 50's in the then new suburb of Panorama. This is a wonderful area to live and work. My Japanese daughter in law says living here is "like living in a garden." Having lived in Asia myself for a number of years I know how lucky we are to enjoy this tree filled environment and these beautiful homes. Let's keep it that way for our children. I am grateful to be living in a heritage listed building myself. It is an art deco block of units which maintains its value and it is a privilege to live, to enjoy and to be responsible for the maintenace of this historical and attractive community asset.