Are you listening yet, Mr Rau?
In August last year the state Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure released an eight-page discussion paper that threatened to upset the entire system of local heritage protection. Many people objected not only to the provocative content, but to the ridiculously brief 4-week period allowed for public consultation.
Under pressure, the department extended the deadline by four weeks. By 7 October nearly 200 submissions had been received from councils, residents’ societies, National Trust branches and individuals. The unintended result was the largest survey of public opinion on heritage ever conducted in this state. Apart from showing overwhelming community support for local heritage, the consultation generated a public record of historic significance.
Ten months on, the Government has made no formal response to the hundreds of people who took the trouble to make submissions on the DPTI discussion paper. Planning Minister John Rau is still cagey about his plans for the future protection of our local heritage.
In the absence of any Government response to this community consultation, the National Trust has compiled a detailed summary of all of the submissions made in response to the Government’s proposals. You can view or download the full report here.
Overwhelmingly, the submissions reveal that South Australians want to retain and strengthen our existing system of heritage protection. The Minister is seriously out of step with what the community wants and appears not to be listening to their views.
We encourage you to read the report and make your own assessment.
We urge you to ask the Premier to pay attention to what the public is saying, even if his Planning Minister isn’t listening.
Sign the Petition to the Premier.
You can also tell us what you think below and share your love of local heritage on Facebook/loveyourlocalheritage
It’s so unfortunate that we are coming to a time where no one cares to protect our heritage and the lifestyle of the great Australian dream.
People are being forced out of their homes all over the state due to large unsightly overshadowing developments.
Yes, many are concerned Emily about the number of unsightly developments being approved while heritage protection is under attack. Making matters worse is the removal of communities and local councils from decision making around developments under the government’s new planning laws. Time to reclaim some rights!
It would be a very good thing to preserve the little history that Adelaide has left. Also to preserve the Parklands. Other countries have many splendid buildings hundreds of years old, and S.A. will never have those years, but you could start now by saving what is left.
Raelene Brown.
Yes indeed Raelene. Adelaide is blessed with some of the finest stone buildings in the country and our unique Park Lands. Unfortunately we have a government that seems not to value anything other than the next development deal. About time to value and protect what makes Adelaide special.
Your posts should have dates on them. When was this written?
Cathy, the post was written 10 August.
We have all but given up on this government listen to residents on planning. The community have been removed from the process, as have their local Councillors. The Community Alliance was formed from residents groups from all over Adelaide who want to see people put back into planning.
Thanks Kirsten. We know the new planning laws are designed to keep communities out of planning decisions so developers can have free reign. Time to reclaim our rights. Community Alliance is a powerful voice and fighting hard to get some balance back into planning decisions. We encourage all those concerned to make themselves known to Community Alliance and their member organisations.
http://www.communityalliancesa.org.au/