30 April 2018

Full Council Meeting: April 23rd 2018


I was an apology for this meeting but can report the following:
  • 2018/19 Draft Annual Business Plan: Council is considering a rate increase of 2.5%. This will include Capital Replacement of $7.62m and New Capital of $8.32m. Community Consultation will occur between April 26th and May 25th. You will find lots of information on the Council website. There will also be 5 public meetings in an effort to get comment out of more than the usual one or two people. The closest one will be at Clarence Park CC on 10th May (6:30-7:30pm). There will also be a meeting at Goodwood Library on May 10th (10:30-11:30am). Other locations are on the website. This was PASSED. The link to read the document hand have your say can be found here .
  • Goodwood Oval Grandstand Redevelopment-Results of Community Consultation: Overall 95 responses were received by Council, almost all of these from Unley residents. A summary of changes to the plan include: 
  1. Material colour and selection appropriate to the neighbourhood character, landscape plans and retention of as many trees as possible
  2. Grandstand footprint within the footprint of the existing building, if possible
  3. No gaming machines and  new use agreements with the clubs to increase the opportunity for Community use without further noise impact and sensitive Liquor Licensing
  4. No additional storage
  5. Access to public toilets    PASSED
This will now go to the Development Assessment Panel after an application for development has been lodged by Council
  • Draft On-street parking Policy: The Residential Parking Policy has been updated for Community Consultation. This includes changes to the current permit system. PASSED
  • Land Use-Oxford Tce: Council are considering changing the use of this land to that of a carpark. It was used by Kirinari School and has been open to the public as a play area for some time. PASSED
  • Tree Canopy Objectives: A motion proposed by Cr Hewitson was amended to a more simple motion with the same affect. Opportunities to plant more trees with a potential to become significant on both Council and private land are imperative. PASSED
  • Addressing the Campaign on Rate Capping: Cr Schnell asked Council to consider its association with the anti-rate capping campaign. LOST
  • Shared Use Concept Zone for Almond St: Another attempt to get this project of the ground was also LOST


A blast from the past

In my recent babysitting assignment I spent some time at Goodwood Community Services, where my daughter takes her daughter to both Playgroup and Goodygym. I found this photo in the hallway and took a second look. This must have been taken in early 1985.While I don't who know the lady on the left is the other person in the photo is of a much younger me with my oldest son, Gene! He is now 34.

They sure damage the footpaths?

In my recent travels (and hence few blogs) I found this extraordinary tree in a footpath. The tree was planted a long way from home, any idea where it was?


Look at the damage in the footpath
The lopped branches


20 April 2018

Rate rerelief to stimulate Unley Central.

 




CITY OF UNLEY SET TO STIMULATE LOCAL ECONOMY WITH RATE REBATES

The City of Unley will introduce rate rebate incentives to encourage mixed-use developments and greater economic activity in the heart of Unley, Unley Central.

In general the Unley Central precinct includes the section of Unley Road from the intersection of Mary and Marion streets to the intersection of Thomas Street and Edmund Avenue.

The Council has endorsed the introduction of an Economic Development Rates Incentive Policy, which will see two types of rebates offered – a developer rebate and a residential rebate.

City of Unley Acting Mayor Peter Hughes said the initiative was in line with Councils 2033 Community Plan that strived to position Unley as a destination for its enviable lifestyle, environment, business strength and civic leadership.

“This is an example of Council supporting the economic prosperity of the Unley Central precinct. As part of our vision, we want to promote a district that is thriving, growing and attracting new businesses and residents,” A/Mayor Hughes said.

Under the developer rebate incentive, a rebate on general Council rates will be provided to developers during the construction phase of an eligible development for a period of no more than three years.

13 April 2018

Library Reboot brochure is out now!

Our next Reboot brochure is out now! Covering a schedule from May-July, it is jam-packed full of new presentations and workshops, such as learning about the iCloud and Bitcoin, as well as some regular favourites, like learning to create photobooks and more about social media. There is something for everyone!

As always, spaces are strictly limited so please book your spot early to avoid disappointment. There are also limited spaces left in a couple of our remaining presentations for April so please check these out too if you would like to attend.

We look forward to seeing you soon.
What is Reboot?
Reboot is Unley Libraries digital literacy program. Reboot is designed to spark your learning, improve your confidence and help you get the most out of the latest
technology. Get ready to learn in a fun, relaxed and interactive way!

Which class is for me?
Our classes range from beginner to intermediate level, with a variety of different learning formats, so there is something for everyone. Take a look at the class details to see what’s right for you, or ask our friendly staff if you are unsure.

Can I bring my own device, and what do I need on the day?
For most classes, you most certainly can. However, you must know all of your own usernames, accounts and passwords that have been set up on your device. This includes your Apple ID and password for Apple devices and your Google account for Android devices. If you do not have these details with you, you will not be able to actively participate. Please see individual requirements for special circumstances or anything extra. 

How do I book?
Bookings can be made in person or by calling the Libraries on 8372 5100. Free and gold coin donation classes can also be booked online at unley.sa.gov.au/reboot.

Weller St :proposed slow points

Council are seeking your views on a bicycle boulevard and traffic calming measures in Weller Street, Millswood/Goodwood. This will involve installation of slow points along the street, kerb extensions at intersections and changes to the Mitchell Street/Weller Street intersection. The goal of the improvements is to create a more cycling friendly environment as well as reduce traffic volumes and speeds on Weller Street. Concept plans are available here
The Concept Plans include the following elements:
  • Improved traffic control and pedestrian/cycling safety at the intersection of Weller Street and Mitchell Street: two design options have been provided for consideration
  • Traffic calming measures along Weller Street, including raised single lane slow points and kerb extensions: this also creates consistent traffic control along the length of the Wood Street and Weller Street corridor/bicycle route
  • Better indication of Weller Street as a low-traffic cycling route including line marking and bike logo ‘sharrows’.
  • It is necessary to restrict parking for 15m adjacent each slow point to allow a cyclist to ride along the kerb, which supports cyclist safety and efficiency of the bicycle route. This results in the loss of 25 parking spaces. The street can currently accommodate approximately 95 parked vehicles. Parking observations suggest that generally 15-25 vehicles are parked on-street on a typical day, indicating that overall parking availability will still be adequate.
The Concept Plans detail the type and locations of the proposed measures, as well as identifying where on-street car parking would be removed to accommodate the changes.
If you are happy or unhappy with this proposal then please go to the same website and Have Your Say. You need to do this before April 20th.

11 April 2018

Upgrading of the Goodwood Underpass might just happen?

Is it possible that this eyesore could be improved?
You may recall late last year that Steph Key, the then Member for Ashford, held a public consultation regarding beautifying the underpass. Even though Steph  has now retired it seems that this matter may be progressing. Elected members will meet with staff late in April. My conversation with Jane Stimson was less hopeful.

08 April 2018

Overshadowing of solar panels

New Orleans

An interesting dilemma was discussed in this morning's Sunday Mail:   should your solar panels be used to prevent/minimise development on your neighbour's property? I remember thus being discussed at a few Development Assessment Panels without a definitive outcome. There are clearly two sides to the argument, both of which are valid. I personally enjoy the savings benefit that our solar panels afford us (about $1000 per year). I would hate that somebody, at the stoke of a pen, could approve a development that would overshadow the panels and render our panels ineffective. The new all-encompassing state development plan should make the time to research this issue and develop a solution that is fair to all. Currently most development plans talk about sunlight to habitable rooms and a precedent for adequate is 2 hours per day.

02 April 2018

Council development plans could be scrapped


We all knew that the Labor government had massive changes to planning in store but had hoped that Liberal government might soften the blow. Apparently, this is not the case and the new government will push through with the planning code that the old government had been working on. The new code will become the state's single planning rule book for assessing all development applications. All planning applications will be lodged electronically to an ePlanning portal. In this new system residents are most likely be how they wish their area to be zoned and then not even receive notification when a development is proposed next door. To some extent this may work but only if the rules are the rules and that the Development Assessment Commission or Council Assessment Panel cannot add their own judgement to height or density as they see fit. Unfortunately, Unley's intricate and hard fought planning code may be dismantled against the wishes of residents.

01 April 2018

Call centre or resolution centre?

Many of you have found that when you telephone the Council and ask for information the call is often put through to the best person able to answer your enquiry. That person is often unavailable and you leave a message hoping that someone will call you back. It happens to most of us, every time we make an enquiry of an organisation: sometimes we even have the privilege of waiting for what seems like forever for the phone to be answered. In Unley the phone was nearly always answered before the third ring as this was the measure used to measure success at this point of contact. In future success will be measured if your question is able to be answered by the first customer service officer that you speak to (phone or front counter). Staff are undertaking extensive training so they can answer the questions without having to forward the call. Hopefully, this will lead to better satisfaction for both the officer and the customer.