30 Year Plan Meeting raises many questions

The public meeting called by the Gawler Branch of the National Trust and GEHA has raised many questions about the 30 year plan for Greater Adelaide.

Among the issues raised were concerns about the lack of public consultation, the short period of time to get submissions in, the loss of arable land, threats to biodiversity and water security issues.

Graham Brookman raised some interesting points that the underlying philosophies of the plan were not actually matched by its components – his presentation is summarised here under 30 year plan

Some submissions have been posted by Blogawler.

 

30 year plan – Where are we headed and is it really the ‘Adelaide we all want’?

A workshop next week organised by Gawler Environment and Heritage Association and Gawler National Trust is aimed at helping people understand the issues in the Draft 30 year plan and help with community submissions.  Some submissions have subsequently been posted at Blogawler.

Speakers at the workshop will include Sharon Fitzpatrick representing the Planning Institute of Australia (SA) and a range of local people with expertise in climate change and sustainability, farming and food security, biodiversity and population projections.

Spokesman Alan Jamieson said that the process of the 30 year plan left many in the community struggling to know how best to respond.  “Many people are non-plussed by the suggestion that Gawler, Concordia and Roseworthy areas are proposed to be expanded to more than 150,000 people.

Instead of the Government coming out with rushed blueprint and setting off a burst of land speculation, the process should involve local people planning the future of their communities. Why would part of the report consider that Gawler central is a suitable place for a Transport Oriented Development  including high density housing to 10 stories when other parts of the report say that protecting areas of heritage is important? Why would a transport map show a new bypass road right through existing built up areas at Gawler South and Evanston Park?

Equally it would be useful to know why population projections by the Bureau of Statistics seem to be ignored with the report suggesting government policy for the “greater Adelaide” area should add 200,000 more people over the next 30 years.  If this population dreaming was not occurring then there would be no need for ongoing urban sprawl around and beyond Gawler.  The Government still seems to believe that rain follows the plough.”

Dr David Tucker, Chairman of the National Trust Gawler Branch said that the workshop could look at a Vision for Gawler as a positive proposal.  “It might be a good move for the State Government to fund such a process so that there is genuine community input into the future.  People in Barossa and Light councils who are equally effected also need the same opportunity”

The workshop is on Thursday 24 September at 7.30 at the Uniting Church meeting room on the southern side of Tod Street, Gawler.  Further information can be obtained from Alan Jamieson on 8523 4408.

 

Para Woodlands were set aside for Conservation Purposes

Questions are being raised about the intention of developer Delfin Lend Lease regarding plans to maximise the benefit its Gawler East development can leverage from being situated next to the Para Woodlands Reserve.  It was even suggested at the Development Planning and Advisory Committee hearing that the developer would try to locate its waste water treatment plan on the conservation area.

We think it’s therefore timely to reflect on the purposes of the Para Woodlands and how they came about.  In 2003 Mrs Elizabeth Law-Smith, widow of David Law-Smith of Yaringa handed over 350 ha of the Law-Smith farm as a woodland reserve.  The Law-Smiths donated 118 ha of land to the Nature Foundation SA and 232 ha was bought by the State Government.  Mrs Law-Smith also provided substantial financial support to the reserve for a 10 year period.  For further information see The Advertiser Farmer’s Wife Donates Land She Loves Sat Oct 11 2003.

The Para Woodlands are specifically set aside as a conservation reserve for future generations to enjoy and restoration of habitat is ongoing.  The State Government must state categorically that all of the Para Woodlands is ‘off-limits’ to developers non-conservation purposes!

 

Have your say on Gawler East

Do you think 'hmm sea of roofs' when you look at this?

Wondering what to say to the Development Policy Advisory Committee on the Development Plan Amendment for Gawler East?

Get some ideas from the following letter or download a Word Version or PDF draft submission here to give you a headstart!

Send to To the Presiding Member, Development Policy Advisory Committee, Level 3, 136 North Terrace Adelaide, SA 5000

Dear Presiding Member and other members,

I am writing regarding the proposal to rezone land as outlined in the Gawler East DPA. I ask that the Committee to advise that the DPA not proceed further and that the Minister not proceed with the DPA so that the current zoning is retained.

My concerns about the proposed development at Gawler East include:

1. Extending metropolitan urban growth into this area of Gawler East has not been shown to be sustainable or sensible.

Given the need and the Government’s wish to reduce our impacts on the environment, if the Government wishes to promote population expansion then this needs to occur close to existing public transport and other infrastructure. Another development which will rely on cars for probably 90% of all transport movements is a major greenhouse negative. Some good farm land will be lost. There are much better options than Gawler East.

2. The strain on local infrastructure and resources.

The transport network in Gawler is based around the town centre and a few river crossings. The town layout does not readily adapt to expansion with big in increases vehicle movements. The Gawler East area contains a lot of steep land well away from existing facilities and public transport. It is expensive land to develop.

3. The erosion of Gawler’s identity as a unique town of heritage significance

Gawler (including Hewett) has already experienced major growth over the last 20 years and will have an increase of about 10,000 people over the next few years from areas of Evanston South zoned for housing development. More rapid population growth in Gawler East will cause unwanted community dislocation and put a lot of pressure on built character and feel of the older central parts of historic Gawler.

4. The proposal involves environmental impacts which should be avoided

The South Para riparian area and surrounding gorge is currently a quiet secluded area which has major ecological significance with its permanent waterholes and as a connecting corridor between Dead Man’s Pass reserve and Para Woodland Park and other areas of remnant vegetation. The impact of many thousands of people and their pets will reduce its conservation value. Areas of remnant grassland and grassy woodland will similarly lose habitat value. A noisy road and bridge across the South Para will further reduce conservation value. Amenity for Gawler and the One Tree Hill scenic route will be reduced by the DPA.

5. Inadequacies in the decision-making and consultation processes.

It has become apparent that the plan for the Urban Growth Boundary and the DPA in Gawler East and South have been poorly thought through by people in Adelaide and without appropriate input from Gawler people. Please don’t compound the multitude of problems by allowing this process to continue.

I wish to also express my concerns at the public hearing on the 30^th of July

Yours sincerely,

Name(s)………………………………. ………………………………..

Address…………………………………………………………………….

I/we also ask that the following is considered:

 

GEHA letter to Minister Holloway

The Gawler Environment and Heritage Association has written to Minister Paul Holloway and Minister Pat Conlon to express our concerns regarding the impact of the Gawler East Development by Delfin Lend Lease.  A copy of the letter is available here under GawlerEastLetter

 

GEHA Submission on Marine Protected Areas

GEHA strongly supports the establishment of a system of Marine Protected Areas to conserve habit.

Please follow the link for a copy of our full submission on Marine Protected Areas

 

GEHA Response to Public Consultation on Gawler East

• Existing native trees and shrubs should be retained throughout the development site and the area of Eucalyptus porosa woodland on the eastern side kept as a conservation area

Following the public meeting on 4 December 2008 Gawler Environment and Heritage Association has some comments in response to Council’s  request for community responses to proposed Gawler East land development.

Broadly GEHA is skeptical about extending urban development further in Gawler and adjacent rural areas rather than increase population density in more inner metro areas.

If Gawler is to seriously see itself as “Best of Town and Country” then limiting the size of Gawler to about 35,000 with current deferred urban land at Evanston South and Evanston Gardens and Hewett would be a logical goal. The promotion of fast population growth by the State government growth without adequate consideration of sustainability is not a viable long-term strategy.

The proposed development appears to be modeled on those at Golden Grove and Mawson Lakes. The model needs to be different to meet Gawler’s “Best of Country” objective. How does the developer plan to do this?

Gawler is in a position to help with sustainable and affordable housing for SA but the expected 10,000 population increase from southern development and in existing residential zones is more than a fair contribution. Very rapid growth is very disruptive of community and having 2 areas of major growth will greatly diminish the chances of Council being able to manage either in a way which the community would expect.

Most importantly, Council needs to maintain its opposition to any new development in the Rural Living Zone between the South Para and One Tree Hill Road (Scenic Route).

To read the full version of GEHA’s submission click geha-gawler-east-submission

 

Warning African Fountain Grass: A New Threat

Fountain grass Gawler street

Unwanted visitors

Introduced as ornamentals from North Africa – now spreading as weeds.  Please don’t grow them in gardens.

Fountain grass or African fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum).  A tussock grass with rough feeling leaves which grows to a metre high.  Flowers in spring and summer with a purple coloured flower head 10-20cm long.  Has been sold as an ornamental species but because it is easily moved by wind and germinates readily, it is now spreading as an environmental weed along the Adelaide rail line, in quarries east of Gawler and other places.  A declared weed in NSW and Qld.

Feathertop or feathergrass (Pennisetum villosum) is a smaller tussock grass growing to about 50 cm.  Flowers in summer and has a bright white coloured flower head usually 5-12cm long.  Also spreads readily from seed and is now found on Redbanks Road at Gawler Belt, the Angaston rail line at Gawler East and several other areas.  A declared weed inTasmania.

Published in The Bunyip, Jan 29 2009

Feather Grass

Feather grass

Fountain grass

 

Dump Shop

Dump Shop Reuse and Recycle
Ever wondered what to do with stuff that you just don’t want anymore but it’s still in reasonable condition and the op shops won’t take it (eg electrical equipment), or you can’t be bothered to make a special trip to drop something off.  Some communities have a ‘dump shop’ at their local dump.  Examples can be found in Canberra, Darwin, Alice Springs and other places.  In poorer countries it is the norm to reuse rather than bury many unwanted goods.

A dump shop can be a section of the local waste facility where items can be dropped off and if accepted, then sold to others who come to buy (sort of like a giant garage sale).  It can be staffed by volunteers or by employees who are paid from the proceeds.

Some examples of materials handled by dump shops include half tins of paint, car parts, furniture, building wastes, old bikes and frames, videos and CDs, bottles, pipes, old toys, clothes, books, electrical goods (but no guarantee) and household goods.  Most are donations from people’s garages that find their way to the dump shop. People tend to put things aside instead of just going to the bin and throwing it in. A dump shop is where one person’s trash is another’s treasure at reasonable quality and low prices.  Dump shops can also make repairs to donated goods.

Dump shops can be an alternative to hard refuse days which can be costly and cause concerns about litter. Perhaps our local councils could investigate options for a dump shop to reduce the amount of waste going to land fill.  In this day and age we now have the knowledge and the need to avoid waste of precious resources

(published in The Bunyip, Community Environment Page, 29 Jan 2009)

 

Frog Watch is on in Gawler!

Gawler Frog Watch is on. Frog Watch is a community frog monitoring program where you can record calls in your own backyard or in the local creek.  If you are recording calls please refer to the  Frog Watch Datasheet 2008 .  If you would like a word version of the datasheet or have any questions they can be directed to 85231008.

A good source of information about local frogs and the calls they make is at www.frogatlas.com.au

(artwork courtesy of Judy Gillett-Ferguson.  Thank you Judy)