In The News

Content in this classification is primarily a link to an article on another website which is relevant to SPRA.

Adelaide's love letter from Chicago

Adelaide Now's digital editor, Greg Barila repots on the Chicago Tribune newspaper calling Adelaide one of the world's best-designed cities.

But "the real genius" of the city, Peter Ferry says, is Colonel Light's Square Mile. "Central Adelaide is surrounded by a broad, green belt of parks, gardens and playing fields. "Green space is built around the city rather than the other way around. The pretty villages and suburbs only begin beyond it."

Campbelltown Council pushes for lower height limits in Paradise

Campbelltown Council is the latest to push for lower height limits as reported by Emily Griffiths in the East Torrens Messenger.

Elected members voted at this week's meeting to make changes to the council's Residential Development Plan Amendment, which was prepared by the State Government and released for community consultation last October.

SPRA is unsurprised by yet another council has rejected the State Government's push to build "virtual skyscrapers" in suburbia. SPRA encourage Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council to follow the example and give consideration to the fact that the entire basis for 30 year plan is questionable.

Liberals will Review State Government Population Growth Predictions

Emma Altschwager reports that Vickie Chapman says Liberals will review State Government population growth predictions as part of 30-Year Plan. The article has been published in the Eastern Courier.

Opposition planning spokeswoman Vickie Chapman has stopped short of promising a Liberal government would dump high-rise apartment plans.

NPSP Council to hold public meeting and forum on River Torrens building height changes

Daniela Abbracciavento covered the council meeting where Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council decided to hold public meeting and forum on River Torrens building height changes. The article has been published in the Eastern Courier.

SPRA is pleased with this outcome, when the alternative motion proposed by Mayor Bria was to close the workshops to the public. The expectation of SPRA is that the public meeting will be about concerns raised by residents in submissions to the rezoning proposals in the Development Plan Amendments now under consideration by Council. On the issue of degradation of the natural environment by dense blocks of multi-storey flats next to the Linear Park, residents are encouraged to read the Billabong Achievement at Risk and Influence of Linear Park on Coastal Water Quality articles for an understanding of the potential impacts.

Mayor Bria: DPA not about liveability

Mayor Robert Bria has written a letter to the editor titled Public Hearings in which he outlines his plan to close the planning workshops to attendance by the public. SPRA is disappointed by Mayor Bria's attempt to further reduce the information available to residents and their involvement in the DPA process. The proposed motion is available in the Council Meeting Agendas 2013 on page 2.

It is of major concern that Mayor Bria states in his "Reasons for Support of Motion":

With regard to part (c) of my Motion, a number of submissions have referred to issues related to and associated with the draft DPA, that are not of a planning policy nature, but rather related to the liveability of our City and in particular, the area adjacent to the River Torrens Linear Park.

It is great to see that Mayor Bria understands people are concerned about impacts on the Linear Park, however SPRA will be asking Mayor Bria if liveability of the city is not considered part of planning policy, then what is the purpose of planning policy?

Rushed Vision & Lack of Consultation

In Letters to the Editor on 29-Mar-2013, under the title "Rushed Vision", is a letter from JOHN BRIDGLAND of North Adelaide in which appears the following quotes:

IT was refreshing to read Local Government Association president Kym McHugh's views about the 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide (The Advertiser, 15/3/13). He said it was "developed in isolation from the community and a draft document launched on the public that had missed the start of the conversation".

Far from considering any rethink on this deeply flawed 30-Year Plan, his Government wants to change the planning system to comply with what is, in effect, a Property Council wish-list. Communities will need to speak with one voice - this plan is a problem, not a solution.

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