27 July 2015

Outdoor Dining

Cr Hudson asked some interesting questions this week regarding outdoor dining. You may be interested to know that there are 16 cafes/restaurants that hire a portion of the footpath from Council to enable an outdoor dining experience for their customers. There are some places that currently use the footpath for outdoor dining that do not  pay a fee to Council that are under investigation. Those who choose to make their area non-smoking pay half the fee of those who allow smoking in the area  (a good incentive that has not had as higher uptake as I would like to have seen). All premises are required to allow a free passage of pedestrians/prams/wheelchairs past their site.

Industry plea to save construction jobs

Interesting article in today's paper. I remember getting a letter to the same affect a month ago  and really thought little more of it. From my point of view it often seems that contractors often have a higher price than if Council do the work themselves and we, as Councillors, have encouraged staff to use Council staff if possible. However, many large contracts have still been let  as the expertise is outside of Council staff skill sets or the contractor has become an expert at a particular service and is able to delivery the service more cheaply. The two large ones that immediately come to mind are the waste management contract  and the footpath paving programme. I guess it's a matter of getting the balance right!

26 July 2015

Money for the Kartherine St Park

In 2013 Council purchased a large tract of land in Katherine St, Fullarton (the old nursery). At this time the land has been remediated and the area is ready for development as a park. The state government has given Council $300,000
Sorry this is sideways
as a matched grant to get this work started. You can have your say at:
http://yoursay.unley.sa.gov.au/your-say-unley://yoursay.unley.sa.gov.au/your-say-unley

DPA2 almost ready for going back to the community

Many of you will remember that in 2014 there was extensive consultation in Black Forest and some of Clarence park regarding potential rezoning. The repose to the proposed changes from our community was outstanding and as such the proposed plan was to be rewritten. Earlier this year the portion of the proposed plan the affected areas east of East Ave, Clarence Park was approved by council and has more recently been endorsed by the state govet. However, the areas west of East Ave are in the process of being rewritten and will go back to consultation later this year. My understanding is that the new proposal will recommend  very little change from the existing.

Full Council meeting:July 27th 2015

The following is on the agenda to be debated;

  • Draft Living Young Action Plan for our Young People; this plan has been developed over the last year and presents a comprehensive strategy for the next four years that should see an increase in engaging activities for children above the age of 5. It will also have a greater emphasis on activities that will benefit mental health.
  • Adelaide Parklands Management Strategy:Unley has only 2.6% of land that can be classified as open space. Yet the entire northern boundary of the City of Unley borders the south parklands that are part of the City of Adelaide. This paper recognises that this space is important for the people of Unley.
  • Replacement  Deputy Member for Development Assessment Commission; cccurrently the Deputy position is vacant and the report suggests an alternate member be nominated.
  • Financial Assistance Grants to Local Govt; this is to recognise the importance of the $1.168million that Council received last financial year from the Federal government in the hope that this will give Council a better base to argue for improved funding rather than funding cuts that have been proposed.
  • Swimming Centre Service Review; the report suggests minor changes to the way the pool operates for some savings.  
  • Making of Council's By-laws; this reviews to by-laws for permits and penalties, roads,local government land, moveable signs and  dogs
  • Review of Code of Practice-Access to meeting Documents;this sets our clearly when agendas and minutes will be available to members of the public
  • Council Rep to LBFA Annual General Meeting; Mayor Clyne wishes to be nominated for this position
  • Centennial Park Cemetery Authority Charter; this will finalise the amended Charter to be more in line with what both the Authority and Councils (Mitcham and Unley) want.
  • CEO Performance Review:CONFIDENTIAL


03 July 2015

Some positive news

Tour Down Under; Unley has again been awarded a stage start for 2016, this being Wed 20th January; the Gourmet Gala will be held the evening before
Katherine St, Fullarton; you may remember that Council purchased the old nursery in Katherine St, the land has now been cleared. The state government has made available $300,000 ( to be matched by Council) to get this project started.
Langdon Ave; Council staff will be doing a traffic and parking survey to ascertain if changes are necessary regarding parking control at the intersection with East Ave.