Des Mutton

2014 candidate for City of Mount Gambier.
Heritage survey responses.

What do you think Council's role is in protecting and conserving heritage?
Council plays an important role in ensuring that relevant heritage legislation and protocols are adhered to within the City of Mount Gambier. Council's Local Heritage Advisor has been extremely helpful in assisting Council to make informed decisions on heritage protection and conservation issue. The Heritage Grants administered by Council are a significant aid to heritage protection and an important signal to the community that Council supports heritage protection.
What measures and incentives do you support to protect and conserve local heritage?
I support all of the measures and incentives that our Council has in place to protect and conserve local heritage . For example a current project Council is undertaking is the rehabilitation of the Railway Lands in the centre of the City. On this land is situated the old railway station. With advice from Council's Heritage Advisor Council will spend many thousands of dollars restoring this magnificent heritage building to its former glory.
What is the most important heritage protection issue in your local government area?
Currently the old railway station, and other items associated with the Railway Lands redevelopment mentioned above would be the biggest single issue Council is currently dealing with.
What policies and programs will you advocate to protect and conserve heritage in your local area?
The ones Council and the State Government currently have in place and making sure that these are properly adhered to and administered correctly.
Do you support local Councils retaining development approval powers for projects over $3m in value?
Absolutely as I believe that local councils have a far greater understanding of local heritage, environmental and planning issues than a central planning authority can ever have.
Do you have any other thoughts about the protection of heritage in your Council area?