News & Discussion: Adelaide City Council

[david]

Councillor David Plumridge's Notes - Issue 36
-Trends in City Transport
-East End Makeover begins
-Tandanya Arts Fair
And some decisions from recent Council meetings

NOTES FROM COUNCILLOR Issue 36.pdf

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[Prince George]

... <Will and jk1237 possibly talking at cross purposes about recent buildings and parking> ...

When all's said and done, I boil the situation down to this:

• Adelaide has a lot of carparking already.
• Carparking requires cars to fill it.
• Hence, increasing the amount of carparking only makes sense if we increase the already large number of cars coming into town each day.

Each building that adds extra parking capacity to the CBD is essentially an invitation to people to further burden the road system and create demand for wildly expensive road projects. It's not up to developers to consider what will be expensive for the State to solve; that is the responsibility of the planning bodies to understand and control.

I'm not sure what the point of the "distance between buildings and carparks" thread was intended to be, but why are car-drivers given different consideration than public transport riders? We hardly expect every bus route to weave down every street, let alone the trams or the train. People walk between their workplace and the train-station, sometimes a considerable distance -- would that be considered inappropriate for car drivers? The tram only runs down two streets, most buses are concentrated on King William, North Terrace, and Currie/Grenfell streets -- why don't we concentrate our parking in the same way?

Apart from the needs of a very small number of people with limited mobility, there scarcely seems any need to provide parking in quite so many locations as we do.

[david]

Property Council SA executive director Nathan Paine said SA needed a new governance model to remove the "petty, small-minded" politics from "state significant" decisions.

"It must be recognised that the central city is of critical importance not only to CBD residents and workers but to the state as a whole," he said.

"It is far too important to leave to the political whims of councillors elected by a handful of voters from North Adelaide.

Once again Nathan Paine rants on about the need to remove "petty, small-minded politics" from the Adelaide City Council without a single shred of evidence to back up his assertions. I challenge Mr Paine to give us some examples of where THIS council has baulked from making decisions that were in its power to make and where the state benefit was not taken into account. Talk comes cheap!

And just who is going to pay for all the wonderful things on the Property Council's wish-list? Presumably the ratepayers, the vast majority of whom (80%) are his members and the business people of the city. The State Government which represents all other South Australians, already contributes what it can to what it considers to the priority needs of the city.

Council will always be a willing partner to work with the development industry and the State Government but
at the end of the day, most of the creative advances that Mr Paine would want to see in Adelaide will be down to his members, the private sector, to initiate, drive and provide the funds for.

David (ACC Councillor)

[jk1237]

I think you have changed the wording of your arguement. So now its close to a large new carpark?

I dont care if the carpark is included in the building (ie CoH), attached to it on the side, or 10-20 metres away down a backstreet. No more on this scale should be built

Does the ACC have regulations requiring new offices to provide car park ratios or not? I think it is yes

[JamesXander]

Property Council SA executive director Nathan Paine said SA needed a new governance model to remove the "petty, small-minded" politics from "state significant" decisions.

"It must be recognised that the central city is of critical importance not only to CBD residents and workers but to the state as a whole," he said.

"It is far too important to leave to the political whims of councillors elected by a handful of voters from North Adelaide.

Once again Nathan Paine rants on about the need to remove "petty, small-minded politics" from the Adelaide City Council without a single shred of evidence to back up his assertions. I challenge Mr Paine to give us some examples of where THIS council has baulked from making decisions that were in its power to make and where the state benefit was not taken into account. Talk comes cheap!

And just who is going to pay for all the wonderful things on the Property Council's wish-list? Presumably the ratepayers, the vast majority of whom (80%) are his members and the business people of the city. The State Government which represents all other South Australians, already contributes what it can to what it considers to the priority needs of the city.

Council will always be a willing partner to work with the development industry and the State Government but
at the end of the day, most of the creative advances that Mr Paine would want to see in Adelaide will be down to his members, the private sector, to initiate, drive and provide the funds for.

David (ACC Councillor)

David, I'm sorry but the ACC has lost the faith of this state. The handling of key issues, such as that old chestnut the grand stand, and recently your panel recommending to reject developements such as Light Square high rise. Its also the fact many of the councillors have been elected by a less then a thousand people. Ofcourse small minded politics comes into play. Hell just look at the old Le-Cornu site.

I know its your job, and I m sure you do it well with the best intentions. But many people are over the Council. the CBD is home to thousands of workers everyday, and thus should be governed by a body elected by anyone who wishes to vote.




.

[Prince George]

Hell just look at the old Le-Cornu site.

And just what has happened on the Le Cornu site? More than a year after all that hoo-haa with the state taking the decision upon themselves and we have got ... nothing. Just like with the previous sets of plans that had been approved by the council's own planning bodies over the last decade and a half. The council aren't the only reason that things don't happen.

[ozisnowman]

Property Council SA executive director Nathan Paine said SA needed a new governance model to remove the "petty, small-minded" politics from "state significant" decisions.

"It must be recognised that the central city is of critical importance not only to CBD residents and workers but to the state as a whole," he said.

"It is far too important to leave to the political whims of councillors elected by a handful of voters from North Adelaide.

Once again Nathan Paine rants on about the need to remove "petty, small-minded politics" from the Adelaide City Council without a single shred of evidence to back up his assertions. I challenge Mr Paine to give us some examples of where THIS council has baulked from making decisions that were in its power to make and where the state benefit was not taken into account. Talk comes cheap!

And just who is going to pay for all the wonderful things on the Property Council's wish-list? Presumably the ratepayers, the vast majority of whom (80%) are his members and the business people of the city. The State Government which represents all other South Australians, already contributes what it can to what it considers to the priority needs of the city.

Council will always be a willing partner to work with the development industry and the State Government but
at the end of the day, most of the creative advances that Mr Paine would want to see in Adelaide will be down to his members, the private sector, to initiate, drive and provide the funds for.

David (ACC Councillor)

Councillor David.
Please spare us all your "Talk comes cheap!" speech.

Not all forum members are uneducated Bogans that you may think we are. In fact many are probably more highly educated and respected members of the community than what you yourself are. Mr. Paine while possibly not right in all matters has a vision to transform this City into a Great City, one that leaves a legacy to our children and provides them with job opportunities and entertainment, such that they don’t need to leave for the bright lights of Sydney or Melbourne.

I’ll give you a good example where THIS council has baulked at making a decision in its power where the state benefit was not taken into account. Victoria Square Upgrade while Alfred was mayor. The plan was good, provided a central meeting area etc. However Councillor Harbisson was interested in only taking away the mayor's seat away
from Alfred. Now he is pedalling the same visions that Alfred was. Cant be any small minded and hypocritical than that.

[how_good_is_he]

On the le Cornu site - is it true council still hasn't approved demolition of the existing buildings after more than a year - the old caffe paesano building etc?

[david]

A few brief responses to recent postings........

- All Le Cornu decisions are now ultimately with the Minister and just for the record the Council did not refuse any of the various DAs submitted over the years for the Le Cornu site and now again a 'ramped-up' and distorted approval goes begging.

- The Victoria Square proposals of Mayor Alfred Huang were overturned by the subsequent Council in 2002. My point was in reference to THIS Council, the one elected in 2007, not having baulked on any major decisions affecting the wider public benefits of the city.

- Most of the 'innovations' and creative ideas on Mr Paine's wishlist are already a part of the City Vision 2008-2012; all we need is the funding. Any hands up for increased rates and/or taxes? or private sector altruism?

- Please remember that although the DAP is appointed by the Council, it is not the Council, and that a majority of its members are not Councillors.

- I am not sure that I understand what the reference to Bogans is all about and as for the thoudands of city workers and visitors who don't have a say on City decisions through the Council, I am fairly sure that a lot more democracy is involved in electing the City Council than there is in electing the governing body of the Property Council.

- And please spare us the pointless comparisons with Melbourne and Sydney; if that's what you want at this stage in your life go there and enjoy and come back when you have different aspirations.

David

[david]

Notes from Councillor David Plumridge - Issue 37

- Park Lands Pressures
- Victoria Park
- New Council Appointments to DAP etc
- Some other Council decisions

David

NOTES FROM COUNCILLOR Issue 37.pdf

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[Wayno]

Notes from Councillor David Plumridge - Issue 37

- Park Lands Pressures
- Victoria Park
- New Council Appointments to DAP etc
- Some other Council decisions

David

NOTES FROM COUNCILLOR Issue 37.pdf

Hi David, thanks for posting - much appreciated. Always a good read and polarising too

Value of the Parklands
The ACC talks about the parklands as if the wider community already appreciates their intrinsic value, meaning & purpose. I don't believe this to be the case - communicate better and reap the rewards!

Parkland damage caused by large events (the only time when many people actually visit the parklands) is largely seen as incidental by the visitors. My question is - who owns correcting this perception? and what exactly is being done about it? The ACCs goal of preventing/minimising event related damage is nice, but it's tactical at best, does little to fix the larger issue, and further alienates the ACC (in the eyes of the event participants) when damage complaints inevitably arise.

A more strategic approach could be to set an annual goal of "increasing public appreciation of the parkland asset". Tangible improvement based on such a goal will help the ACC achieve their tactical goals such as minimising event related damage, and may even help to build bridges between the public and the ACC. The litmus test of progress would be increased parkland appreciation without increased spending and without any built structures. Communicate better and reap the rewards!

I talk more on the topic of parkland meaning & purpose over here ==> http://www.sensational-adelaide.com/for ... 659#p68678

Obviously this is all my opinion, Hopefully food for thought though...

Lastly, is it Park Lands, Parklands, parklands, or park lands?

Entrepreneurs making money - shock horror!

David said: The increasing demand for events that alienate Park Lands for many days at a time and which are fenced and ticketed at high prices which are lining the pockets of entrepreneurs at the expense of our parks.

Are you proposing the parklands should not host 'pay for entry' events? or are you saying the ACC should receive a sliding scale of income based on event income? excuse my confusion - but your message is unclear.

Free parking if you spend $50!

Motions on Notice: Cr Moran offering 2 hours free parking to casual customers in the Rundle precinct who spend $50. This was referred to the Rundle Mall Authority

Clr Moran should be shot for suggesting people get rewarded for driving into the CBD instead of taking public transport. What is she thinking!?! David, I sincerely hope you work to have this proposal rejected.

Profile of the DAP members

Development Assessment Panel appointees were Clrs Cullen, Yarwood, Moran and Clarke and specialists Shanti Ditter (Presiding), Rob Cheesman, Mads Gaardboe, Sybella Blencowe and Stephanie Johnston.

David, is it valid for 4 Clrs to be assigned to the DAP? Surely this will work against the ACC, especially since you have said so many times that Councillors and the DAP are independent of each other.

David said on Nov 3 2009 - Please remember that although the DAP is appointed by the Council, it is not the Council, and that a majority of its members are not Councillors.

I'd say that 4 out of 9 is just shy of a majority - i'm confused...

[Queen Anne]

Lastly, is it Park Lands, Parklands, parklands, or park lands?

I looked onto this when we did the submission on the ACC's Creating our future document. Park Lands was the winner. I can't remember why, though.

[AtD]

Consent was REFUSED to construct a 3 level building with 2 retail tenancies at ground level and 2 dwellings on
levels 2 and 3 at 149-151 Melbourne St N.A. (DA /876/2008). Reasons included lack of adequate car parking

It saddens me that a project with that as the major reason.

[Prince George]

Consent was REFUSED to construct a 3 level building with 2 retail tenancies at ground level and 2 dwellings on
levels 2 and 3 at 149-151 Melbourne St N.A. (DA /876/2008). Reasons included lack of adequate car parking

It saddens me that a project with that as the major reason.

(Assumes AtD meant "reason it was rejected") +1 to that, and the concern over setbacks on another development. I mean, I can understand (if not completely empathise) with the desire to maintain "character" steet scapes. But Watson St, come on! For those of us who (like myself) don't know Watson St, glancing at the street view does make one wonder if the refused proposals were rejected for being set back, and not set forward, too far.

[david]

Some responses to comments made;

- The issue with Watson St is the impact of this particular 3 level development (the eastern most block) on the rear of the properties in Curtis Street (heritage-listed cottages). Have a look and consider the impact of a 3-level tilt-up concrete wall on the rear boundary of the cottages'.
- Re DAP members what I said was that the Panel is independent of the Council And last time I looked, 5 independents out of a total of 9 members makes it clear that the Council members are in a minority.
Remember also that the Presiding Member and the Deputy PM are both appointed from the independent members.
- Wayno's comments about the Park lands make a lot of sense and were much appreciated by my Park Lands colleagues. I will raise the idea of creating a goal to "increase the level of public appreciation" with the Park Lands Authority.
- Re the way that the words ‘park’ and ‘lands’ are combined or not: The more correct historic reference to the green belt around Adelaide is ‘Park Lands’ (except some purists would prefer the older versions of the ‘Adelaide Park’ and ‘Park Ground’). The more generic way of talking about park-like open space is ‘parklands’ but the State Government and ACC have adopted the form 'Park Lands' .

David