Peter Kurtze

2014 candidate for City of Unley.
Heritage survey responses.

1. What do you think Council's role is in protecting and conserving heritage?
   It is the responsibility of all local councils to protect and enhance heritage for the benefit of the residents, ratepayers and for future generations. The area 'heritage' is part of the genetic make-up that helps to secure property values, lifestyle and a sense of neighbourhood. It helps to define what makes each zone unique.

2. What measures and incentives do you support to protect and conserve local heritage?
   I am prepared to support any conservation measure that is based on an economically sound discussion and rationale. So, a zone may be worthwhile conserving for the benefit of many residents and future generations, but another may have already been ruined by senseless development and there is little value in trying to preserve a few properties that simply don't 'fit in' any longer. Many areas are of much greater significance for the lifestyle offered by including true heritage and character than to maximise the land value by inner city infill of property.

3. What is the most important heritage protection issue in your local government area?
   To conserve suburbs with true character homes that are sound. We must maintain character and lifestyle. and that is not restricted to only 19th century villa type homes. Character and heritage spans many 'eras'

4. What policies and programs will you advocate to protect and conserve heritage in your local area?
   In Unley, there needs to be a clear strategy and definition of each area or zone and the character that it represents, historically. And that needs to be adhered to.

5. Do you support local Councils retaining development approval powers for projects over $3m in value?
   Absolutely!

6. Do you have any other thoughts about the protection of heritage in your Council area?
   We need to take the politics out of the whole discussion. There is no room for any power-play or 'higher authority' control. Each council is responsible to act in the interests of the local residents and ratepayers. The council must determine what each area is and should be and have a strategy to deliver that. Once it is in place, and residents understand and agree, then it must be locked in. This is simple management 101! A council is a business, and any successful business has a clear strategy and business plan. The uncertainty of disputed development must be removed for council, ratepayers, and residents.