29 February 2020

Planning consultation is now closed

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It has been a mammoth effort from so many of you to ensure that every door on 
Black Forest and Clarence Park (west of East Ave) has been knocked on and conversations held regarding the proposed planning changes. Overall 650 submissions were lodged with DPTI. I know we are hoping that 200 of them were fro this area alone. I had a email from a resident yesterday who had recent email communication from DPTI that stated;

'The application of the General Neighbourhood Zone will be reviewed across the Phase Three Councils (Unley) following the consultation process. The State Planning Commission has acknowledged that there are some instances where the Suburban Neighbourhood Zone may be more appropriate, such as where the current zone specifically seeks to maintain the current character or allotment pattern of an area and where limited infill and regeneration is anticipated. I have reviewed the policy for the Residential B350 Zone and note that it seeks limited infill and the maintenance of the existing character, which suggests that this may be one such zone where the Suburban Neighbourhood Zone is more appropriate.'

This alone is reason to hope that sense will prevail on this aspect of your submissions.

23 February 2020

Full Council meeting Feb 24th, 2020

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You might find the following of interest:

  • Capri Theatre Loan Request; The theatre are requesting a $ 72,000 loan with a one year payback time and no interest to complete the ongoing renovation of the theatre. While I am sympathetic to their cause I have concerns that organisations may see Council as a place to seek additional funds when in reality that is what banks are for.
  • Draft Tree Strategy; This is the overarching document for the updated tree strategy that includes the history and philosophy behind the need for such a strategy as well as a way forward.
  • Application for a Weekly Green Waste Trial: at last a trial of what so may have been asking for. Goodwood has been chosen as the test suburb. While blue bins will be collected weekly during the trial so will the green bins. It is hoped that if this work the diversion of food waste to  recycling instead of landfill could save the city over $500,000 in any one year.
  • Report from the  Brown Hill Keswick Creek Stormwater Board; this discusses completed (Ridge Park retention dam and the Goodwood diversion culvert)and current projects (Hawthorn Reserve, South Parklands, Everard Park (connecting Wilberforce Walk to Anzac Hwy)and Glenside)
  • Beehives on Council Facilities (Nicole Sheehan); More beehives would support an increased bee population in the city.
  • Investigating the Feasibility of Introducing  eScooters in Unley (Sue Dewing): Council may be able to get the best of both worlds if we can have a fleet of scooters that can link to the city or other inner city councils and encourage more people to leave their cars at home. They would need to have fixed locations for me to say yes
  • Increasing Tree Canopy on Private Land (Michael Rabbitt): this motion would see Council direct the question about increasing canopy cover on private land back to the state government.

Pedestrian Crossings in Clarence Park and Millswood



Image result for Clarence Park railway crossingsThe crossing at Clarence Park is perceived to be dangerous to pedestrians as it does not have the additional safety features that the Victoria St or Fairfax Ave crossings have; that is automatic closing gates. Before the Goodwood Junction upgrade the East Ave crossing was the safest. There is increasing interest from residents to see this crossing upgraded as well as the crossing a little to the west and Gordon Rd. I am aware that some people do not support this and are wary of the potential additional noise if the crossings are also noise activated. Nevertheless it is time to seek government support to get this investigated.

19 February 2020

Help stop the planning nightmare!

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Submissions to DPTI close Feb 28th
We have had a wonderful response so far from residents regarding writing submissions to DPTI concerning proposed planning changes for Black Forest and Clarence Park (west of East Ave). This has been a great examples or residents working with each other to get the zoning they want for their neighbourhood. Following the public meeting late in January residents have designed templates, met with neighbours, knocked on doors, collected written submissions and have obtained an amazing result. Nevertheless, there is time for more people to get mobilized. you need to write about.

  • Sites changed  350m² to 300m² (or down to 200m² for row housing) 
  • Setbacks have been drastically reduced
  • The changes that the draft indicates would allow for most sites a 3 for 1 redevelopment opportunity.  In many cases, particularly corner sites, this grows to 4 for 1 or more
  • Loss of parking
  • That the current RB350 zone be transitioned into the Suburban Neighbourhood Zone that will enable block sizes to remain unchanged .

You might also find this link useful?  crussell5.wordpress.com 

š Email to DPTI.PlanningReformSubmissions@sa.gov.au   


15 February 2020

Harmony Day celebrations

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Unley Libraries will be celebrating Harmony Week 2020 on Thursday March 12, from 7-8.30pm in the Unley Town Hall.  This year we are presenting a talk with local author Victoria Purman, and a panel discussion led by City of Unley’s Cultural Development Coordinator, Matthew Ives.

The Last of the Bonegilla Girls’ is set in 1950s country Victoria and central to the story is the migrant camp Bonegilla. Matthew will discuss Victoria’s book and then invite Catherine Manning from the Migration Museum, along with two contemporary arrivals to Australia, to discuss the differences and similarities faced by 1950s migrants and today’s new Australian’s. We would love to see you there, if you would like to be part of the audience please let me know and I will secure your seat.

In addition to this our Literacy and Learning Team will be hosting special Storytime sessions on the 10th and 12th March at Unley Civic and Goodwood Libraries for our community with the theme of friendship.  Over the past few years we have also worked with ActNow Theatre to bring two special presentations aimed at school aged children.  Due to the success and high demand from schools, we will be building on the past few years and again invite local schools from years 2-4 and years 8-10 to participate in our special performance of Like Me, Like You and Generations of Change Congress run by ActNow Theatre.

09 February 2020

Gagging orders are not OK

I read with dismay this week that Adelaide City Councilors were not allowed to do anything but raise questions of staff at a Committee Meeting. It has always been my understanding that the purpose of a committee meeting was to debate officer's reports on various topics and come to a decision that would later be endorsed by Council and the acted upon by staff. Asking questions certainly is useful in getting clarification or further information from staff before the debate begins. At the debating stage motions are moved, amended, refused or approved. Occasionally a further motion is put if the first one fails. At the point this comes to Council sometimes the matter no longer needs to be debated but often it does. Gagging Councillors at the Committee stage means the full debate will be held in the Council chamber which may be lengthy and time consuming in some cases.

08 February 2020

Parliament to extend implementation deadline by 3 months

Yesterday the Liberal Party announced that they had heard at least some of what you all have been saying regarding the implementation of the new Planning Code. They will introduce a bill to the parliament next week. This will give DPTI more time to review submissions and to ensure that all alterations can be made before implementation. Please continue to get your submissions on the Code into them.

05 February 2020

Tree to be protected at Goodwood Grandstand demolition and build

Residents bought to my attention this week that the cork tree to the south of the grandstand was covered in builders material and there did not seem to be a tree protection zone in place. The significant tree north of the site has an exclusion zone fenced. It is my understanding that the cork tree will be fully fenced tomorrow.







01 February 2020

Kaufland: what's next?

Image result for kaufland adelaideAs you will be aware Kaufland is withdrawing from the Australian market. This has left many residents nervous about what will happen next on the site.  My information is that there is still some asbestos that needs removing as well as a structure that remains standing. These should be removed and the site tidied up by the middle of February. There are ongoing discussions regarding dust control. At this  stage it seems that no decisions have been made regarding the sale or future use of the site. It remains zoned for high rise housing but this could change as any buyer could put an application directly to the state government and Council could be left out of the process.

Community Grants: applications open now


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Community groups, organisations and individuals are invited to apply for grant funding of up to $4,000 through the City of Unley’s Community Grant Program to support innovative and diverse projects and local initiatives that improve the wellbeing, quality of life, community participation and life skills of residents in the Unley community.

To be eligible for funding an applicant must be located in the Unley local government area and/or be principally providing services to residents of the Unley Council community.

Further information can be obtained from the guidelines and application form on our website unley.sa.gov.au/community-grants or by contacting Matthew Ives or Sally McIntosh on 8372 5111.  Afternoon or evening workshops are an option for those groups and individuals who would like assistance with their applications. For more information on workshop sessions, phone 8372 5108.

Applications close 5pm on Tuesday 31 March 2020.