Minutes of Committee Meeting - Monday 9th December 2019 at 7:30pm

The Hahndorf Institute, Supper Room

1: Present:

M. Kentish, J. Kentish, D. Painter, S. O'Brien, P. O'Brien, A. Buchan, A. Haines, J. White, D. Seifert, M. Brook, E. Aliffe, W. Williams, F. Williams, P. Houston, T. Finnis, P. Smith, H. Gallasch, S. Gallasch, Cr N. Hardingham, Cr D. Leach, Cr S Westwood, Cr B. Orr and approximately 50 Hahndorf residents and concerned others.

Visitors:

CEO National Trust of South Australia, Dr Darren Peacock

Convenor of Protect Our Heritage Professor Warren Jones AO

2: Apologies:

M. Hasler, G. Vort-Ronald, D. Cregan MP

Chairman Malcolm Kentish welcomed attendees, and welcomed and introduced the Guest Speakers

3: Minutes of Previous Meeting 11th November 2019

  • Minutes: Moved by Phil, seconded by Dieter - accepted.

  • Malcolm summarised current HCA business activity and concerns regarding proposed changes to legislation affecting Heritage, reminding attendees that Hahndorf has the benefit of existing State Heritage listing.

4: SPECIAL BUSINESS

  • National Trust address by Dr Darren Peacock

  • Protect Our Heritage address by Prof Warren Jones AO

Professor Jones is convenor of the Protect Our Heritage Alliance, formed to promote the campaign to raise awareness of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act's proposed Planning and Design Code.

  • He explained that the Alliance overarches many concerned community groups, including National Trust, Conservation Alliance, and multiple Community groups, with the aims of collecting at least 10,000 signatures to enable tabling of a petition in Parliament to halt the Code being implemented on 1/7/2020.

  • The Planning Commission is currently working on the detailed framework of the Code. It is understood that 3 of the 4 Commission members are Developers, raising concerns that the interests of developers and builders will be given priority.

  • The purpose is to stop peri-urban sprawl, to increase high rise accommodation and infill

  • The Alliance is concerned that there is a major threat to components of the built and natural environment – everything is under threat

  • Contributory items are significantly threatened – eg: groups of historically important buildings that give character to an area are not recognised and therefore have no protection

  • There are 14,000 Contributory Items in SA – Councils can review and transfer to Local Heritage list, but process is costly.

  • The whole framework is less well defined than currently – protective mechanisms can be argued and worked around

  • Urban infill – houses on medium sized blocks are being demolished, replaced by multiple dwellings with no green space or trees

  • Private interests in development adjoining or in National Perks – eg in Flinders Chase National Park

  • Code comprises 61,794 pages, was released in October, and is ‘riddled with errors, omissions and inaccuracies.

Dr Darren Peacock, CEO of National Trust SA, stated that consultation on the Code was being compressed, with significant implications for Heritage protection

  • Hahndorf is one of the most important Heritage places in SA, and is under threat

  • He stated that MP's are allowing bureaucrats to push through ‘once in a generation reform' which is actually a ‘train wreck', with many gaps and ambiguities, and Heritage protection being ‘gutted'

  • The new Code does not spell out what is likely to happen

  • The State Upper House is trying to stall the Code's implementation

  • The computerised system is not ready

  • He believes there is ‘dishonesty' by Parliament

  • The promised Policy Discussion Paper on Heritage was released one week before the Draft Code's release

  • The government has no mandate to gut Heritage protection

  • We need to ‘go back to the barricades', pester our local MP's, sign the petition – the Code can be implemented without Parliament's approval

  • The Petition’s requests are for

> Independent review of the operation of the Planning Development and Infrastructure Act to determine its impact on community rights, sustainability, heritage and environmental protection

> Independent review the governance and operation of the State Planning Commission and the State Commission Assessment Panel

> urge the Government to defer the further implementation of the Planning and Design Code until :

> a genuine process of public participation has been undertaken, and

> a thorough and independent modelling and risk assessment process is undertaken

> Legislate to ban donations to political parties from developers, similar to laws in Qld and NSW

  • Mark Parnell MLC has introduced a Bill to delay the Code's implementation

Comments and questions from the floor followed.

  • Comment – Harold: Aboriginal artefacts, eg: a boomerang, have more protection than Heritage buildings and spaces. There is no transparency. Community needs to have input.

  • Q: What is driving development? A: Building is seen as more good for the economy. Powerful lobby groups driving this.

  • Comment – New buildings being ‘demanded' by young people. Very important to have young people involved in the Campaign. Campaign seen as an ‘elitist, boutique' thing

  • Comment – Anni: Hahndorf is in a water catchment area. Environmental issues are not being addressed

  • Comment – Justin: Need to strengthen Heritage protection.

  • Comment – Malcolm: HCA is concerned about transport issues in the Main Street and need to increase community awareness of the Heritage issue.

  • There is a case for action in Hahndorf – suggests a Rally at 11am Saturday 21st December – “Heritage Matters”.

  • David – need to advise SAPOL Traffic Management

  • Actions to include another letterbox drop, publicity with local newspapers and radio, invitations to other history groups to support the rally, have petition available to gather as many signatures as possible. Use social media, invite Mt Barker District Residents' Association, use consistent heading on placards, with strong wording, Politics in the Hills chat group, engage Business and Tourism group, aim for maximum impact, using media, etc.

  • Malcolm reminded the meeting that this is a State issue, but will directly affect Hahndorf..

  • Q: Geoff – Is the Council on board and supportive of Heritage? A: Council administers the legislation .

  • Be clear on the Heritage issue – John's quote: “Strong past is part of my future”

5: Business Arising

Thank You to Cr Narelle Hardingham for donation of Laptop computer for HCA use.

6: Correspondence In/Out.

Printed email list & letters

7: Treasurers Report (E. Aliffe)

  • Balance $7,531.00

  • Outgoings = $296.00

  • Receipts = $1,660.00

  • Insurance renewal due 16/01/2020 = $1,057.00 (currently $1,031.00)

  • HCA has Public and Personal Liability Insurance

  • Moved Eric, seconded Peter - accepted

8: Reports 2019/20

Cr N Hardingham:

  • Work on Regional Sports Hub is starting. Next phase is construction.

  • Council has received the highest number of community consultations regarding the Aquatic Centre

  • Review of the Strategic Plan, which sets Council direction – will be changed to ‘Community Plan'

  • Women’s Tour Down Under – Starting in Hahndorf 16/1, outside the Hahndorf Inn, also riders come through on 18/1.

  • Aim for ‘Best Dressed Town' – plan for letterbox drop of route, providing residents with an opportunity to decorate

  • Schools and pre-school will decorate

  • TDU will come through on 22/1

  • Federal Traffic Study – nothing to report

  • Main Street upgrade – Hahndorf provided strong feedback regarding the Heritage aspects of the town

  • Christkindlmarkt – 13 – 15/12

  • Urged all to ‘shop locally' for Christmas

Cr D. Leach:

  • Complimented Narelle on her input to Council

  • Supports the concept of the unnamed reserve being available for the community

  • Is advocating for restricting the number of corflute’s to 20 – visual eyesore

9: HCA Working Groups

9:1 Yantaringa Reserve. Peter O’Brien

  • Peter, Narelle, Nathan and Open Space Urban Designer are liaising re Trail development in Yantaringa Reserve and the open space across Fairview Road (former Pony Club grounds)

  • Aim to be inclusive

  • Timeline – January 2020 - develop conceptual Trail plan. February – Community Consultation until March – review feedback.

  • Aiming to have funds set aside in new financial year

  • HCA and Bush for Life to meet and negotiate access to upper level of Yantaringa.

  • Trail development expertise is available locally

9:2 Village Voice. W Williams

  • December edition will be distributed soon

9:3 Events. Jan Kentish

  • Remembrance Day event - $500 Council grant, $62 remaining.

  • Aim to train HCA member as First Aider – currently use Chemist

  • 21 wreaths made

  • Plan for a Community Dinner early next year. Liaising with Wolf Blass Wines for venue. Plan an evening gathering. Council sponsorship will be sought.

  • 2019 is 180th anniversary of Hahndorf's founding.

10: Other Business:

10:1 Women’s’ Tour Down Under 2020 (Sue & Narelle)

  • Refer to 8.1

10.2 Traffic Marshal Training (Sue O'Brien)

  • Traffic Marshall training available for HCA members. 10am 11/12 at the Recreation Grounds

10:3 Adelaide Wine Capital Cycle Trail (Peter O'Brien)

  • Peter and Sue have attended meeting regarding the cycling trail

  • Plan is to link wine regions from Clare to McLaren Vale, including cellar doors and 27 towns

  • Benefits to health, economy, and cycling tourism

  • Mt Barker Council is now ‘on board' with other Councils in developing the Trail.

Dr Peacock thanked the meeting, commenting on the very important role Hahndorf and its residents can play in the issue of Protecting Our Heritage.

Prof Warren Jones AO commented on the value the HCA is providing in drawing attention to the Heritage and History questions. He looked forward to working with the Association in future.

 

Meeting closed at 9.20pm, followed by refreshments

Next Meeting: Monday 13th January, 2020 at 7.30 pm - Hahndorf Institute Supper Room

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