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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-04-09 Daily Xml
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HOUSING

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (15:41): I rise today to talk about the process of consultation and discussion that is happening in our communities with regard to housing diversity development plans. I had the opportunity to attend the public meeting at the West Torrens council on 12 March and similarly the public meeting at the Unley council on 18 March. I was also made aware of some of the concerns of local residents, particularly in what is titled 'Area 18' because more than 97 constituents have sent a petition to the West Torrens council raising their concerns about proposals for Cross Road, Anzac Highway, the tramline and the Allan Scott racecourse.

Some of the changes that are being proposed include eight storeys along Anzac Highway from the city to Marion, residential buildings of up to six storeys in parts of Marleston, Kurralta Park, Plympton and on Anzac Highway from Marion Road to Morphett Road. It was very interesting that although there were a number of written submissions received by both councils, there was also an opportunity made available by both councils for people from the community and also professionals and representatives from the community to address council about some of their concerns and issues.

After the public meeting on 12 March in the West Torrens council, I was heartened to hear that West Torrens mayor John Trainer has listened to what I must say were excellent submissions and is very much hoping that the council, in its consultation period over the next few weeks, will take on the issues that have been raised. It would be fair to say that, despite there being two different council areas, a number of issues were raised by members of the community, some of whom told me they have never spoken in public before, and you would not have known that by the quality of the submissions or the professional way in which they handled themselves.

The common issues that have been raised concern changing heritage areas and whether there will be enough room for the community with some of the proposals that are being put forward. Really big issues of concern for the number of storeys or levels that would be proposed were in relation to shadowing of backyards and front yards, the effectiveness of solar panels, whether vegetable gardens would get enough sunlight to actually be efficient, whether people would be able to see the sky and natural light (which I think is a fairly reasonable proposition), whether there would be space for everyone and particularly children to move around in, traffic problems and what the streetscape would look like.

There was a lot of concern raised with regard to minor roads and streets feeding into busier, high volume roads and how that would work. In one case, there was a submission made about facilities and services, particularly to do with water pressure. This particular constituent in West Torrens claimed that the water pressure in his street was pathetic, and he just wondered about having even more people in that small space and what plans had been put in place to look at not only water pressure but also all the other services that are available.

Noise and air pollution was raised, and at the Unley contribution, Dr John Crowther, who is an academic in public health, talked to us about some of the health risks that are associated with increased traffic. So, I must say that I am really impressed with the ability of both the communities surrounding Unley Council and West Torrens Council to have their say, and I just hope that they are listened to.

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