News & Discussion: Adelaide City Council

[david]

As much as I favour you, and I believe so does the majority of the forum's members - I don't think it's a wise idea. The diversity of the membership is exactly what makes Sensational Adelaide great for what it is.

For it to pledge political allegiance even if with the support of the majority of consituents, isn't fair to the rest of those who may see or think differently on things - even if one of them is someone who favours another candidate.

Perhaps S-A could prepare a set of carefully crafted questions to put to all ACC election candidates when the process starts on 21 September and then publish their written responses, unedited, on the appropriate thread. Other organisations like Property Council and the Park Lands Preservation Association have done this kind of thing in the past.
David P

[SRW]

Good on you Clr Plumridge - working to make people appreciate the Park Lands (and an increase community events) is a wise move indeed! Sounds like a win-win situation to me - I hope you get necessary funds without delay

Keep us in the loop with progress please.

From the city messenger:

Learn to love our Parklands

A “Love Adelaide Park Lands” website, new walking trails and more community events are among the key actions in a plan to raise the profile of the city’s green belt.

The Adelaide Park Lands Marketing Plan 2010-2013 commissioned by the Adelaide Park Lands Authority is a three-year strategy aimed at creating wider appreciation for the parklands and, in turn, bringing more visitors to town.

The draft plan will likely be endorsed by the authority next month, though it hinges on City Council funding, since no money has been allocated to carry out any of the ideas, which include:

* A Facebook fan page
* An art show or public scrapbook of the community’s favourite pictures/memories in the parklands
* Interpretive signs
* Day trip packages to the city with a focus on activities in or near the parklands, such as the Popeye boat cruise and the zoo
* A calendar of new and existing events, including an annual picnic in the park and art in the park day, and
* Ad campaigns on buses, trains and airport terminals

Authority member and City Councillor David Plumridge hoped the council would provide funds in its 2010/11 draft budget for stage one to begin, including signs and the website.

Cr Plumridge estimated it would cost about $20,000 for each of the next three years to carry out the plan.

“I think it’s likely we will get some funding for the first stage because the spin off from it is that it will bring more people into the city,” he said.

“The plan has been well received by the authority and it would be good to see more appreciation and use of the parklands.”

However, Adelaide Park Lands Preservation Association president Kelly Henderson said her group was not consulted on the plan and did not support the proposal for more Parklands events.

“The condition of the parklands is already degraded from over-use,” she said. “We’ve got areas in Rymill and Rundle Park that are bare dirt because the grass has worn away. So for the council to be proposing an intensification of the current overuse, that’s a concern.”

Lord Mayor Michael Harbison, the authority’s chairman, said council staff would “flesh out” the total cost of the plan before the authority considered it.

He said promoting the parklands to the community was “most important” for their protection.

Sounds like a positive step.

For the councillors that listen in here, I hope that there's some opportunity for cogeneration of ideas with the community, perhaps through the Facebook facility. It's a way to find not just ideas for events, but for events that people want.

Two ideas for parklands events that I have suggested on this forum in the past are: 1) an annual sculpture walk similar to Sydney's Sculpture By The Sea; 2) an annual/biennial floriade or garden show like Chelsea.

[Clr Yarwood]

Hey all,

Been a little quiet - lots of emails, phone calls and meetings…I am sure I can win this election but will need the support from as many people as possible.

I agree re support on Sensational Adelaide – best keep it as me just being a participant – 145 entries is not brilliant but not bad…

I think a question and answer session would be great – would bring you guys a profile – especially if you did it wit some media. Get more pple on here.

I think a thread on the elections would be good –I’d be there! Hope you run with both.

[Clr Yarwood]

I am looking for support and ask the following of anyone interested:

1. Join my “Adelaide’s Future : Stephen Yarwood for Lord Mayor” Facebook page – its growing quickly which is exciting and shows I have good support. http://bit.ly/aFHlYW

2. If you join – please (please please) also take a couple of minutes to ask your friends to join – “suggest to friends” under my photo. It’s about generating an internet buzz and engaging the younger generation (under 40!) that don’t usually vote.

This would be REALLY appreciated – networking!

3. Any comments on that page are appreciated and goes into your friends live feed. I am keen to get ideas from you, listen and learn!

4. Join my newsletter list and send to friends that are voters, know voters or even just love the city – I am serious about connecting with the community.

Truth is I cannot win without you...Cheers and thanks

[Prince George]

Speaking of voting, am I right to think that workers and not just residents can vote in the council elections?

[SRW]

Speaking of voting, am I right to think that workers and not just residents can vote in the council elections?

That's not quite right, actually. It's just owners and/or occupiers of rateable properties within the municipal boundaries that are eligible to vote. So businesses get a vote, but not your average joe worker (though it might be argued they get an indirect say through their employer).

There was a joint proposal by Business SA and the SDA back in '08 to give city workers the vote, but nothing ever came of it so far as I can tell.

I definitely believe we need to broaden the pool of voters for city elections, but I'm not sure how effective or even feasible it would be to simply enfranchise city workers. I mean, who qualifies as a 'city worker'? More importantly, as a capital city, don't others also deserve a say?

Although, as a city worker myself, I wouldn't sniff at the opportunity were it available to me...

[Vee]

Speaking of voting, am I right to think that workers and not just residents can vote in the council elections?

It would be nice for city workers to have a voice too but guess it will never happen.

Most S-A members won't be entitled to vote in the ACC elections but we could capture the collective wisdom of the group to assemble and vote on some suggestions near and dear to the hearts of members. Perhaps S-A could add a "voter forum" for a specified period where members can contribute ideas and vote on these with the votes updating in real time.

It may have been done before. One such example I have experienced (as a user) is 'uservoice' http://uservoice.com/ but there must be others which do the same thing.
Just a thought.

[Clr Yarwood]

Sydney Lord Mayor opens Electric Car charging points - ABC News http://bit.ly/9jweIF EVs are coming!

[peas_and_corn]

I was in the city the other night and there was a religious bloke shouting through a microphone about God (and at times aborted foetuses). Chatting to a checkout operator in a nearby store I was told that whenever the police try to arrest them, the police have been personally sued by the organisation. Is there anything being done by the council about this? They are a real annoyance and destroys the mood in the general area, considering some of the subject manner chosen by the yelling man.

[iTouch]

I hate how people bring yankee problems into our own society.

[Hooligan]

This is free speech, love it or hate it. I remember hearing these clowns all over europe.

[monotonehell]

I was in the city the other night and there was a religious bloke shouting through a microphone about God (and at times aborted foetuses). Chatting to a checkout operator in a nearby store I was told that whenever the police try to arrest them, the police have been personally sued by the organisation. Is there anything being done by the council about this? They are a real annoyance and destroys the mood in the general area, considering some of the subject manner chosen by the yelling man.

I know that they're not permitted to use amplification. The police will tell them to turn it down or off depending on how insulting they are to passers by.

Hooligan, this isn't the USA, we don't have a right to free speech, we have only an expectation. We do have a right to freedom of religion, but that's just to practice it as far as I understand. There is an implied right to communication with regard to politics and government from several High Court decisions, but that's pretty wishy washy.

At the very least I think they should have to purchase a busker's license from the Council and follow the same rules.

[Clr Yarwood]

Its in the courts - we are doing what we can...

[peas_and_corn]

I was in the city the other night and there was a religious bloke shouting through a microphone about God (and at times aborted foetuses). Chatting to a checkout operator in a nearby store I was told that whenever the police try to arrest them, the police have been personally sued by the organisation. Is there anything being done by the council about this? They are a real annoyance and destroys the mood in the general area, considering some of the subject manner chosen by the yelling man.

I know that they're not permitted to use amplification. The police will tell them to turn it down or off depending on how insulting they are to passers by.

Hooligan, this isn't the USA, we don't have a right to free speech, we have only an expectation. We do have a right to freedom of religion, but that's just to practice it as far as I understand. There is an implied right to communication with regard to politics and government from several High Court decisions, but that's pretty wishy washy.

At the very least I think they should have to purchase a busker's license from the Council and follow the same rules.

When I was there he used amplification, and it was incredibly annoying.

Its in the courts - we are doing what we can...

Cheers, at least the wheels are in motion.

[david]

Notes from Councillor David Plumridge - Issue 49
- All the 2010-2011 Budget Details
- Constitution Day 2010
- News from Rundle Mall
- Energy Descent Planning
- Recent DAP and Council decisions

NOTES FROM COUNCILLOR Issue 49.doc.pdf

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