Regulated Trees Development Plan Amendment Submission
Through the effort of committeeman, Mike Wallis-Smith, the following submission has been made to the State Government's Development Policy Advisory Committee on their proposed legislation to regulate control over trees:
Introduction
The Norwood Resident’s Assoc. considers trees are an important element in our urban environment and we are keen to maintain those we have and to plant more to create a greener and more pleasant city. A city which maintains gardens, shade and habitat, character and visual amenity.
The Nursery and Garden Industry in Australia (NGIA) is currently promoting the positive benefits of trees to our health and wellbeing, as well as their economic value and these attributes should not be ignored.
With significant urban infill and ongoing development pressure we are concerned about the loss of trees .Will introduced flexibility in the new legislation take the balance away from tree protection ? If anything we would prefer to see it difficult to remove our trees as infill proceeds. We would like to see gardens retained rather than replaced with hard surfaces.
Concerns
In metropolitan areas it will be possible to remove or damage a regulated tree within 10metres of a house or swimming pool with the exception of eucalypts and willow myrtle trees. Technically this would mean that Angophora though they are very similar to eucalypts ( many people refer to them as eucalypts) and from the same Myrtaciae family , would not be protected. Angophora are beautiful flowering trees, bird attracting, quick growing and an asset provided they are not planted in the wrong location. We ask they be added to the list.
The new legislation will provide greater discretion to Councils, Developers and other landowners to remove or damage regulated trees. We are concerned this may result in unqualified people making decisions which impact unfavourably on habitats without the potential negative impact being considered as part of the planning process. Will this lead to further erosion in the role of Council arborists . They should be an integral part in the Development process when trees are involved. Will the end result of “flexibility” and fast tracking be the loss of valuable tree cover?
It is pleasing to read Councils have the power to protect significant trees or a group of trees if they make a contribution to the character of an area, provide visual amenity or make an important habitat contribution. However it is disappointing to read only a few metropolitan councils have taken advantage of this power in their development plans.
It would seem if council’s place a value on their trees and recognise trees in their plans and asset register it is an effective and positive way to contribute. Why have our council’s not done this?
Maybe we as residents should be taking action to request our council to survey each area , to seek the views of the community, to list and register important trees, and include information on the trees , habitat and bio-diversity corridors etc in our plans.
The task is not just one for the State Government. To this end it would seem to be commonsense for all councils and the State Government to put an economic value on significant trees and treat them as they do other valuable assets. We might then achieve different planning outcomes. We could also cost the loss of trees against possibly over-stated economic benefits of some developments.
If it is easy to remove significant trees and we have not identified in our development and bio-diversity plans trees and areas to be protected, the natural elements of our urban fabric will continue to be eroded , tree by tree, habitat by habitat, without recognition of the cumulative impact.
The new regulations could be improved by recognising the role of trees along our creeks. Adelaide has been built on a floodplain. A number of creeks cross Norwood from the hills toward the coast. They provide many valuable benefits and have a key role as bio-diversity corridors. Trees along the creeks help to stabilise the banks. Removal of trees from the banks, particularly mature significant trees should not be allowed without expert advice.
Change of use 62 Beulah Rd, Norwood
Council notification has been received of an application for a change of use from office to consulting rooms for 62 Beulah Rd, Norwood. This property is on the south-eastern corner of Beulah & Sydenham Rds.
Our response was:
"As the change of use will have little effect on the residential nature of the area, as its one commercial use to another, and the parking capacity seems adequate, we are not raising an objection."
Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council Ageing Strategy
Mike Wallis-Smith, Jim Dunk & Babs Wirkus have met with Council representatives and resulting from this has made the following submission regarding their draft document:
INTRODUCTION
Our Council area has a very high % of older persons currently around 23% of our population and this is projected to increase to around 36% by 2021. We consider the formulation and implementation of an active ageing strategy as a priority.
Emphasis in the draft is on 65 years of age and older. We feel it is important to plan for a community of all ages, with varying degrees of health and fitness. Individual choice is important. Some people are vulnerable, have a disability and require support at an early age whilst many older people may be very active and don’t consider themselves old when they are well over 80.
We note and support the emphasis on “active ageing”, with recognition many residents wish to remain in their own homes and live as independently as possible. We understand the need to provide increasing levels of support, urban services and appropriate design for those who require it and choose it.
We support all the sections of the draft covered by the phrase “engaged in life” (p8) and recognise “the rights of older people to equality of opportunity and treatment in all aspects of life as they grow older.....the responsibility to exercise their participation in the political process and other aspects of community life”.(WHO,2002,p13).
The draft strategy is a valuable tool to facilitate a role for Local Government and provides our Council with the opportunity to offer real leadership as it works to achieve its vision
“A community that values the diversity and individuality of its older people and facilitates their participation in community life. Older people have the choice to age in place in a community which supports and cares for them “
CURRENT DEVELOPMENT PLANNING SYSTEM
One key concern is the current planning and development process. Considerable infill development is occurring in Norwood and higher densities are expected along transport corridors. There will also be continuing infill throughout Norwood. At present residents are not able to participate in Category 1 Development applications by adjacent property owners and be engaged in the development planning process. They may be forced to take costly and stressful legal action if the proposed development imposes unfavourable planning impacts. It may be too late to find out when the property next door is being demolished. This is inherently wrong and not only unfair to long term elderly residents but to all residents. Council could take an active role to change this relatively recent planning anomaly.
Elderly people, often women, complain they feel invisible and ignored in the community. We should try and change this as our community matures. For change to happen there needs to be a philosophy adopted by Council which is consistent with its stated vision and the ideals expressed in your draft as highlighted in our introduction.
ACCESS AND ENGAGEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY.
One of the findings from community consultation is the desire by older people to stay in their own community.
What can be done to help achieve this aim?
Provision of safe access routes.
Reduction in speed limits throughout our city to 40km would be a good start. It’s difficult to cross the road easily and safely under current speed limits. It is difficult not only for the frail elderly but also for families with young children and shopping bags. What about people who have a mobility disability? Priority could be given to slow down traffic in streets close to and leading to the Parade . Suggestions were made in the major traffic study undertaken some years ago but were not introduced as it was considered difficult to implement.
If Norwood is going to be an important area to achieving Eastern region 30 year structure plan targets we believe it is now time to give priority to people rather than the car.
Footpaths and walkways should be pleasant, maintained, shady and wide.
More, shady, low maintenance native trees and grasses which provide colour, texture, visual amenity and habitat should be planted and gradually introduced. Acorn trees could be phased out to reduce the problem of slippery nuts on the pavement.
If footpaths and footpath ramps were better designed it would be easier for those using gophers and for families with strollers trying to get on and off our footpaths.
Seating and benches could be gradually introduced on wider , planted verges, in busy streets and on routes not only to the shopping areas but also to the Norwood pool, the library, schools and near other destinations such as doctors rooms, parks and the creek system.
Some streets could become one way and even planted with street trees so small mini verges and vegetated walkways are introduced. We might even lose some car parking spots!
Existing bluestone curbs should be retained and where possible reclaimed to maintain as much of the charm and character of our old city as possible.
It would seem sensible to determine a number of key walkways as important pedestrian links for the elderly. All the elements above could be linked to form a safe and interesting network. Walking is a key form of exercise and recreation for the elderly around Norwood...just go out any day and see the number of people walking a dog.
It is widely recognised where public accessibility is needed ( including government/council buildings) ramps, elevators and or lifts should be available and operational. Do we plan for this in our City?
AFFORDABILITY
With fixed and often low incomes most retirees face an ongoing challenge to maintain a reasonable lifestyle. Council can help in a number of practical ways. Energy prices are rising rapidly so regulations to fully protect rooftop solar systems from overshadowing resulting from infill development on adjoining property will reduce energy lost. This will save on the purchase of the solar power lost. Overshadowing may also impact on garden productivity and reduce the amount of sunlight available to living and recreation areas. There is a loss of amenity when winter sun in a backyard is lost due to overshadowing arising from poorly designed development on an adjoining property.
With the trend to smaller homes, combined with gradual loss of open space and the high cost to council to acquire community open space a fresh approach to further greening our city is suggested.. Pocket parks could be created by reducing the amount of roadway given to cars and by the creation of mini roadside parks which could contain a seat or two and some trees. Wider planted verges and centre verges in wide streets such as Edward and George could be extended and introduced. Much work was done in the 80’s and be should be considered again. Short walkways and plantings along the creek system could also be considered where practical. Everyone could then enjoy the benefits of affordable and innovative greening.
A key element to achieving the Ageing Strategy is an action plan with priorities, measurable targets and allocated resources. This document is yet to be produced and we provide more suggestions below.
Social isolation may be a problem for some single elderly. To help we encourage flexible services and communication links to all services.
Our local library provides a valuable cultural resource and is an important meeting place for obtaining community information and also providing social contact . We have excellent and helpful library staff and we must ensure the service continues and is well resourced.
In its submission to the LGA Draft Ageing Strategy (2011-2016) COTA mentions the 30 year Plan for Greater Adelaide as a key policy driver and the importance of older people having a say and being considered in all aspects of planning, policy and service provision. COTA states “transport within and across Local Government areas and the design of neighbourhood infrastructure can assist in allowing older people to age within the communities with which they are familiar. Likewise the role of affordable and accessible essential services such as water, energy and wastewater services cannot be overlooked as facilitators of ageing in place.”
All this should be kept in mind when approving the designs and consent conditions for infill and med/high rise development . There is often a social and economic impact imposed on existing residents from adjoining development and our planning system needs to be improved to ensure the future well being of our population at all ages.
We would like our Council to be a leader and innovator with a new, positive Ageing Strategy.
FOLLOW UP
We would like the opportunity to be further involved as Action Plans for the strategy are formulated.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION
A small group be formed to include aged residents and staff to act as a response/action group to monitor and access the effectiveness of the Ageing Strategy and add new ways to service the aged community.
Thank you.
Mike Wallis-Smith for Norwood Residents Assoc.
