All articles by Don
Is the New Planning & Design Code Undemocratic legislation
Communities from across the state attended a forum last night believing the New Planning & Design Code is Undemocratic Legislation. Held at the splendid heritage listed Norwood Concert Hall, the forum was conducted by Protect Our Heritage. Protect Our Heritage is an alliance of local community organisations whose primary aim is protecting our heritage. Their...
Continue reading...
Food for thought. Green Waste v Landfill. It’s up to us. You & Me.
Here is some food for thought for you. Are you helping to keep the amount of waste going to landfill or not. Are you aware of “if it grows, it goes”. Can I encourage you to undertake to understand the need to put your food scraps into the green bin, not the blue bin. If...
Continue reading...
Community Engagement Reform a Necessary Local Government Reform
Community Engagement Reform, the 4th area of the Governments Local Government Reform proposals, is necessary. Many in the community consider community engagement is something that Councils are poor at. The Government’s local government reform package must therefore include a look into community engagement. Much of the problem with community engagement is that council’s hands...
Continue reading...
Local Government Reform Area 3 – a positive change in the main
The State Government’s Local Government Reform Area 3, one of 4 reform areas, focuses on efficient and transparent representation. This Reform Area attempts to provide a range of proposals aimed at improving the local government elections in South Australia. During the earlier call for reform ideas, the most popular idea received was to...
Continue reading...
Your worst fears won’t be realised in the new Planning & Design Code
YOU will get a say in the Planning & Design Code. YOUR worst fears should not be realised. The SA Planning Commission has listened and understands. your concerns. Expect the new Planning & Design Code to capture many of the things you want to see. Expect also the fears of what may be lost...
Continue reading...
Lower Costs and Enhanced Financial Accountability for Local Government.
Lower costs and enhanced financial accountability for Local Government. A noble 2nd area of reform in the Government’s program of Local Government Reform. The Government went to the people in March of last year with a promise to lower the cost of running local governments. A noble ambition. Eleven recommendations have been put to...
Continue reading...
Productivity Council Publishes Draft Report Ahead of Time.
The Productivity Council has released the draft report I recently blogged about. They have done this ahead of time to maximise the Local Government sector’s opportunity for an informed response. As the Productivity Council’s report will feed into the Government’s Local Government reform agenda, I interrupt my series on the reforms to include this....
Continue reading...
Elected Member Conflict of Interest an Area in Need of Reform.
Elected member conflict of interest is the last of the areas of concern in the Government’s 1st Reform Area. I agree. It is absolutely an area in need of reform. The ‘elected member conflict of interest’ model in the Local Government Act is unnecessarily complicated and confusing. As a result, many councillors do not participate...
Continue reading...
Unley seeking to liaise with the Government on the North South Corridor.
What is happening to South Road through Black Forest and Everard Park. Don’t know? That is why the City of Unley is seeking to liaise with the Government. Residents & property owners are desperate to know what Government’s plans are for our section of South Road. That includes the section that runs through the...
Continue reading...
Matters of Integrity, behavioural Matters and the Role of the Mayor.
Matters of Integrity must be dealt with outside of Council and include consequences for breaches. Who should deal with matters of integrity I am not sure. The Government is proposing some options. No matter what or who it will come at a cost, just as we have now. It may not matter in the...
Continue reading...
Poor Page Park. In Need of Love and Attention
Much loved Page Park is today a poor park. A park in need of love and attention. A well used park, as are all in the City of Unley, it has seen some dramatic change in activity in recent years. Corresponding to this change in activity the condition of the turf has deteriorated. ...
Continue reading...
Stronger Council Member Capacity and Better Conduct
Stronger Council Member capacity and better Conduct is the first reform area in the Government’s Local Government Reform Agenda. This is indeed the area of highest priority. Accordingly, stronger Council Member capacity and better conduct is the first area I also am giving thought to. As I noted in my blog post of 21...
Continue reading...
Local Government Reform Recommendations are a mixed bag.
Local Government Reform Recommendations are a mixed bag but fail to address the Government’s core objective. That is my in initial observation as I endeavour to review each of their 72 recommendations. As I revealed in my last blog post the Government has made 72 recommendations to inform a new Local Government Act. 72...
Continue reading...
Goodwood Oval Clubroom a Goer after 2nd CAP approval.
The Council Assessment Panel this week supported a compromise recently reached between the Clubs, Neighbouring Residents and Council. The ERD Court however must ratify the decision. I understand that, rather than go to the Court, this will be done administratively by the Court. Expect therefore, confirmation within the next week. . The detail of...
Continue reading...
Local Government Reform recommendations out for Public Consultation.
Local Government Reform recommendations are finally out for Public Consultation. The Government now wants to hear from you. Local government reform and cutting the cost of local government was one of the election platforms of the State Government. They lost out to the Opposition and the Minor Parties with their blunt rate capping strategy....
Continue reading...
The Ultimate Council Conflict of Interest. The role of Councillor itself.
We hear much these days of conflict of interest. I have written about it. The media often have a feature on it. But what is the ultimate conflict of interest. Following on from my blog post yesterday questioning who am I let us examine the role of an elected member. Not so much therefore,...
Continue reading...
Who Am I? Ever Played that Game. Sometimes I feel I am playing it now.
Have you ever played the game who am I. It has always been a fun game. Remember putting a notice on your head and asking people yes/no questions and trying to whittle down to find out who you are. A game I remember playing as a kid. It was a game too, I recall,...
Continue reading...
Another Award for King William Road
I am proud to announce yet another award for King William Road. This, primarily inspired by our consultation, while a few continue to denigrate us for our consultation. Bad news sells papers. We have all heard that. That may well spell the storey behind a few naysayers dominating the media agenda still around King William...
Continue reading...
Councils Overlooked Heritage for Decades, according to the ‘Tiser.
The Councils Overlooked Heritage for Decades, according to the ‘Tiser. This is a headline suggesting Councils have been derelict in their heritage responsibilities. Is the ‘Tiser’ correct with this article? If you have a subscription you can read it here. The article in today’s Advertiser has included the City of Unley in it’s list. Consequently,...
Continue reading...
Draft Clarence Park LATM awaits your final input
The Draft Clarence Park LATM, which is in response to your observations last year, awaits your final input. Please therefore, let us know your thoughts. You should have received a letter from Council seeking your response to Draft Clarence Park LATM recommendations. To ensure we have the right solutions to the problems you identified,...
Continue reading...
Improved Parking in King William Road
Look out for improved parking in the King William Road Precinct. The redevelopment of King William Road will provide improved parking, as opposed to reduced parking as promoted by the Media. . Improved parking will result from the redevelopment of King William Road. The media however is correct. We are reducing on-street parking. This is...
Continue reading...
Why Pavers on King William Road
Why pavers on King William Road. The current public conversation is asking that question. Why pavers on King William Road? Because that is what you asked for. Certainly that is what I heard you saying. Accordingly, it influenced my vote. With a unanimous vote it must be what the rest of the Councillors heard too....
Continue reading...
City of Unley Transforming King William Road
A far cry from the Killing King William Road message out there, as reported in my last blog post. Those in the know, know council is actually transforming King William Road. Our community asked us to do something about the troubles being experienced in King William Road. They asked us to save the street....
Continue reading...
Terrible Council is Killing King William Road
The Unley community has been pounded this week by a singular message. That terrible Council is killing King William Road. Destroying the businesses. The focus has been consistent. Each day a new storey reinforcing the message awaits us as we get out of bed in the morning. Amongst other claims, we have a prominent...
Continue reading...
Budget lifted 0.15% to cover Waste to Landfill Levy
Budget lifted 0.15% to cover the Waste to Landfill Levy was the decision last night by Council. A unanimous decision made after much reasoned and considered debate last night. Deputy Mayor Peter Hughes presented Council with an alternative budget position at our traditional budget meeting. An alternative to the one we presented you just a...
Continue reading...
Recycling Industry Inquiry Underway
Parliament’s Environment, Resources and Development Committee is about to conduct a recycling industry inquiry. They will investigate and report on the current crisis in waste management that exists in South Australia. They will obviously consider how China’s National Sword Policy has impacted on us. Accordingly, they will explore how South Australia has responded to China’s...
Continue reading...
Clarence Park LATM comes back to you for your final input
The Clarence Park LATM comes back to you for your final input. A complex suite of initiatives and numerous options as solutions awaits you if Council endorses the next step on Monday night. That is the decision awaiting Council at our next full Council meeting this coming Monday night. While Council’s budget and therefore...
Continue reading...
Hypocritical State Government Deals Savage Blow to Local Government
Our hypocritical State Government has dealt Local Government a Savage Blow. They have done this by raising the waste levy by 40%. Compounding this, they do it in the week Councils are due to bring down their budgets. Yes! The same hypocritical State Government who claims we (local government) are incapable of keeping council rates...
Continue reading...
Serious Local Government Reform
Serious Local Government Reform is about to commence with an inquiry into local government costs and efficiency. The State Government has asked the South Australian Productivity Commission to investigate local government. They have asked them to examine the trends in council costs and the efficiency and the drivers behind these trends. In order to get...
Continue reading...
A rate rise of 2.1% is set to be approved by the City of Unley
The City of Unley will approve their 2019-20 budget at this month’s formal Council meeting. I expect us to approve a rate rise of 2.1% at this meeting. A 2.9% increase would have applied under the Government’s proposed rate capping. This demonstrates, with many councils following our example, that councils are responsible and able to...
Continue reading...
Valuer General to cause stress to rate payers in Unley
Many City of Unley rate payers will be distressed when they receive their first rates notice for 2019-20. Not I must say because of anything Council has or has not done. Their grief will be due to changes to the way their properties are valued by the Valuer General. . While Council looks set...
Continue reading...
Ombudsman Code of Conduct Concerns focuses on the trivial not serious.
The State Ombudsman, Wayne Lines, has spoken up this week on a topic that goes to the heart of one of the central reasons for Local Government reform. His code of conduct concerns is one area that the Local Government Industry is pushing hard to see changed. We need tougher sanctions against those who...
Continue reading...
New probe into council spending to push reforms
New probe into council spending to push reforms is the headline today in the IN Daily on line news. This spells the next chapter in the push for Local Government Reform. Having failed in its attempt to cap council rates, the Government is now promoting they intend to establish new probe into council spending...
Continue reading...
King William Road is 2.5 times over budget – That is news to me.
The recent headlines in the Advertiser and now the Eastern Courier that King William Road is 2.5 times over budget has shocked me. It is news to me. Any suggestion that King William Road is 2.5 times over budget is completely wrong. It continues the agenda they (the media) have set for years now that...
Continue reading...
City of Unley about to be replacing 2,585 lights across the City.
Have you ever Replaced a Light Globe? We are about to be replacing 2,585 lights across the City of Unley. So please spare a thought for Council. In an endeavour to be 76% more energy efficient we will be replacing 2,585 lights in all our streets. Work is scheduled to be completed in June. These...
Continue reading...
The State Government holds the key to Tree Canopy Cover Targets
The City of Unley has long believed the State Government holds the key to Tree Canopy Cover Targets. More to the point the key to tree canopy cover targets lies in the Government’s new DPI Act. This is the new new Act governing development in South Australia. Thankfully the Government (through the State Planning...
Continue reading...
Heritage at Risk, or is it?
Heritage at Risk, or is it? That is the question I am asking on the back of this weeks media coverage of the State Planning Commission recent announcement. Media coverage suggests that 12,000 homes across Adelaide could lose their status. Contributory items that is, could lose their status. Thankfully, State Heritage places and Areas,...
Continue reading...
King William Road Contract let
After years of investigation, research, design, community consultation and deliberation work will commence this month on King William Road. With the King William Road Contract let, we can now see it all come to fruition. Following unanimous approval at last Monday’s council meeting we have awarded a contract. Accordingly, we have engaged civil contractor, BMD...
Continue reading...
Millswood Croquet Cub is a Federal Election Winner
The Millswood Croquet Club is a Federal Election Winner. A special visitor was welcomed this morning at the club. Nicolle Flint, the incumbent federal member for Boothby, paid the Millswood Croquet Club announced a re-elected Morrison Liberal Government will commit $ 250,000 toward upgraded facilities at the Club. This announcement makes me feel proud....
Continue reading...
Budget 2019 to be work shopped
Budget 2019 to be work shopped as that time of year in the life of Local Government approaches. A new Council, a new year, a new budget. That is Unley in 2019 as we prepare for a budget that will set the scene for the immediate future. The result will be budget 2019. Your new...
Continue reading...
New Goodwood Oval Clubroom receives planning approval.
The new Goodwood Oval Clubroom receives planning approval after a marathon hearing at this week’s Council Assessment Panel meeting. I was again proud of the rate payers of the City of Unley Clarence Park Ward who provided representations. As with previous CAP representations the residents presented to the panel on planning issues. They recognise that...
Continue reading...
It’s all in the Timing
It’s all in the timing we often hear. And that is the case when it comes to reporting on matters health in the City of Unley. I blogged yesterday on the City of Unley having the highest risk of heart attack. I had planned in lieu to blog on Council receiving a grant for our...
Continue reading...
City of Unley Community at Highest Risk of Heart Attack.
What a shock for me yesterday. Fresh from a clean bill of heart health from my Doctor I find the Council region in which I live has the highest risk of heart attacks. Yes. I get a clean bill of health and that I am at low risk of a heart attack. But I live...
Continue reading...
Fish Tank 2019 now open for budding young Entrepreneurs
Council is fishing for future entrepreneurs. Fish Tank 2019 could be your (or your sons or daughters) greatest opportunity. Because of the success of Fish Tank 2016 and Change Makers 2018, we are confident that there will be those in our community who will benefit from Fish Tank 2019. We are aiming Fish Tank...
Continue reading...
Local Listening Post Invite
Residents of the Clarence Park ward of the City of Unley have been invited to the Local Listening Post convened by the current sitting member for your new Federal Seat. As long as I have been one of your two local council representatives our Federal member Kate Ellis has held Street Meetings. At the next...
Continue reading...
Political Ties Part Only of Wider Suite of Council Reforms.
Council reforms are back on the media Agenda. But we need a wider suite of Council reforms. The Local Government reforms being advocated however are too limited. They are restricted to one issue only, that being Candidates declaring prior to the elections any political ties. We therefore need a wider suite of council reforms Such a narrow focus as this does not serve...
Continue reading...
2018 Satisfaction Survey shows last year a good-year
As we embark on 2019 the results of our 2018 Satisfaction Survey of our community centres, including Clarence Park. Here is a communication sent to elected members today. Hello all, We have now collated the results of our 2018 Community Centre Customer Satisfaction Survey, undertaken in October. I’m please to share that we received 148...
Continue reading...
Your wishes as I remember you asking during the recent Election Campaign
Elections are possibly the best opportunity you have, a community has, of putting your wishes and/or concerns to Council (any Government actually). Those of us who do stand a better than even chance of having their issue addressed. Alert to this, Council’s CEO has asked for the newly elected members to advise what your...
Continue reading...
New look for Councils runs deeper than you might think
Most of us recognise that there is a new look for Councils. It runs very much deeper however than is being recognised. Yes. As my last blog post undoubtedly shows, the new City of Unley will consist of 8 women and 5 men represents this new look for Councils. We all know this is a...
Continue reading...
City of Unley 2018 Election Results
The provisional results for the City of Unley 2018 Election results are now known. The following is list of the elected candidates for the City of Unley 2018 Election. Mayor: Cr Michael Hewitson Ward Councillors: Clarence Park Cr Don Palmer & Councillor Jennie Boisvert. ...
Continue reading...