Adelaide City Council
Policy Position Considerations
South Australian State Election
January 2014
Introduction
This Discussion Paper outlines Council’s position on a range of key State-level issues. It is designed to facilitate informed discussion with political parties and independent candidates in the lead up to the South Australian State election in March 2014. This discussion will allow a frank exchange between Council and the various political parties, leading to a clear understanding of each other’s policy positions. It is hoped that this will improve the ability to work together to achieve the vision for Adelaide ofOne City, Many Places.
Council has formed “policy positions” on these issues and confirmed these via adoption in its Strategic Plan 2012-16, in policy and strategy documents, through specific Council decisions and in the delivery of particular initiatives or projects. These endorsed positions form the basis of the points raised in this Discussion Paper.
Contents
1.City/State Relations
2.Planning, Development and Heritage
3.Riverbank Development and Governance
4.Transport and Movement
5.Park Lands
6.Support for Affordable Housing in the City
7.Residential Population Growth
8.City Safety and Liquor Licensing
9.City Vibrancy
10.Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change
11.Economic Development
12.Waste Management
13.City Community and Engagement
PAGE 1
1.City/State Relations
1.1.The City of Adelaide Strategic Plan 2012-16
1.1.1.The relationship between Council and the State Government is critical. A mutual commitment to creating Adelaide as ‘one of the great small cities in the world’ is at the heart of this relationship. This commitment is expressed in the City of Adelaide Strategic Plan 2012-16, the Development Plan for Adelaide (City) and in the recently adopted Spatial Vision for the Future of the City. The Strategic Plan shows the alignment between Council’s own measures of success with South Australia’s Strategic Plan and the 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide.
1.1.2.To successfully enact its Strategic Plan, Council is committed to the successful operation of the Capital City Committee (CCC) as a ‘powerful and unique partnership between the South Australian Government and the Adelaide City Council’. Under the City of Adelaide Act 1998, Council and the State Government are equal partners in the Capital City Committee. Through this Act, Council and the State Government have an established Development Program, meetings and forums.
1.2.Current policy position
1.2.1.Council is committed to working in partnership with all spheres of Government and recognises the importance of these partnerships and the respective roles of Local, State and Federal Governments.
1.2.2.Participation in the CCC through representation of the Lord Mayor and two Elected Members, with the role of the CCC to co-ordinate, facilitate, initiate and partner on priorities for the City of Adelaide.
1.3.Key strategies and initiatives
1.3.1.The CCC Development Program for 2013-2014 is:
1.3.1.1.Activated side streets, laneways and spaces between buildings;
1.3.1.2.Responsive planning systems;
1.3.1.3.City investment attraction;
1.3.1.4.An active transport policy for the City;
1.3.1.5.Major City projects;
1.3.1.6.Early evening experience and late night economy;
1.3.1.7.City promotion;
1.3.1.8.Environmental sustainability;
1.3.1.9.Connected smart city;
1.3.1.10.An entrepreneurial Adelaide; and
1.3.1.11.Engagement and communications.
1.3.2.Council has identified a number of ‘spade ready’ major projects such as the redevelopment of Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, which would benefit greatly fromfunding support from other spheres of Government.
1.4.Issues for resolution
1.4.1.The continuation of the Capital City Committee as a key Governance arrangement between Council and the State Government.
1.4.2.Co-delivering major initiatives and projects through joint funding.
1.4.3.Commitment to respecting roles and responsibilities of respective spheres of Government.
PAGE 1
2.Planning, Development and Heritage
2.1.The City of Adelaide Strategic Plan 2012-16
2.1.1.Council’s Strategic Plan includes Outcome 1 – City of Great Places. Under this Outcome is a key strategy which states ‘Ensure the City is well designed, planned and built to sustainably accommodate future growth’. Within this Outcome is a Key Project and Service for a City Structure Plan, Development Plan Amendments and streamlined development assessment services to support investment in the City.
2.1.2.A City Structure Plan, entitled ‘Spatial Vision for the Future of the City’, was adopted by Council in June 2013 and agreed to by the Minister for Planning in October 2013.
2.2.Planning Assessment:Current policy position
2.2.1.On 5 December 2013 Council passed the following resolution in regard to the planning amendment powers of Council:
That Council:
- Adopts the following policy position in response to recent decisions and actions by the Minister for Planning; and campaigns for:
- the restoration of full development assessment powers to Council through the removal of the $10 million cap;
- the review of recent Ministerial Development Plan Amendments (DPA) impacting on the City and the preparation of an SOI for this purpose for submission to the newly elected Government in 2014; and
- a full consideration for listing of those heritage properties which remain unlisted from those that were originally submitted for listing under two DPA’s during 2009, with the assessment for listing of each property judged solely against the criteria in section 23(4) of the Development Act 1993.
2.2.2.In its pre-election documentthe Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA) raises concerns about the removal of planning control and referral powers from Council for CBD developments above $10m. More broadly the LGA opposes major changes which seek to remove such powers, particularly before the Expert Panel on Planning Reform process is complete.
2.2.3.Council has made a formal position in regard to the operation of the Expert Panel on Planning Reform in supporting ‘the review occurring and the process proposed to conduct the review and has made an extensive submission to the Panel (decision number 13475 on 8 October 2013). This view is supported by the LGA in their pre-election document that ‘welcomes the Expert Panel on Planning Reform and supports its continuation post the 2014 election.’
2.3.Urban Renewal: Current policy position
2.3.1.In regards to the Urban Renewal Bill, Council resolved on 11 June 2013 (Decision number 13089) on the following basis:
2.3.1.1.Council is already the precinct authority which can exercise all necessary powers and responsibilities for precinct planning.
2.3.1.2.The proposed legislation is a major reform of the planning system and of governance generally and should not pre-empt the extensive consultation and review of the planning system within the remit of the Expert Panel on Planning Reform.
2.3.1.3.It is noted that the proposed precinct planning tools could promote a range of development, including fringe growth, rather than urban renewal.
2.3.1.4.The Bill conflicts with two key recommendations for good governance of a planning system in that it:
- increases the number of bureaucracies and planning instruments and thus adds complexity; and
- fails to separate policy, development control and development facilitation functions.
- It is unacceptable that statutory heritage conservation and other protections for important values and unique features of potential precincts could be waived due to the range of discretionary powers that may be conferred by regulation.
- The public consultation provisions, including those for community reference groups, and limiting of local government’s role to ‘observer’, do not facilitate participation by the community.
2.3.2.Subsequent to this an amendment to the Bill was passed which ensures that the precinct planning powers under the Bill cannot be exercised in relation to the Adelaide Park Lands without the consent of the Adelaide Park Lands Authority.
2.4.Heritage: Current policy position
2.4.1.Based on independent heritage advice in 2009, Council submitted around 430 heritage buildings for local heritage listing. Since then, only 105 of these have been approved for listing by the Minister for Planning. Some were rejected while consideration of other potential listings will now await the outcome of the review of the planning system by the Expert Panel on Planning Reform. It is understood that this review will address heritage listing criteria and processes and hopefully a range of concerns expressed by Council about ineffective bureaucratic arrangements. Economic impacts of heritage listings have been modelled. This established that there is considerable scope for additional heritage listing in central Adelaide without curtailing the achievement of City growth targets in the 30-Year-Plan for Greater Adelaide.
2.5.Key strategies and initiatives
2.5.1.Council has reviewed and made submissions on the following Ministerial Development Plan Amendments:
2.5.1.1.Capital City, and
2.5.1.2.Institutional (St Andrews).
2.6.Issues for resolution
2.6.1.Re-establishing the full development assessment powers to Council through the removal of the $10m cap.
2.6.2.The continuation of the Expert Panel on Planning Reforms post the 2014 election.
2.6.3.Formalheritage consideration of the 430 buildings submitted by Council in 2009.
PAGE 1
3.Riverbank Development and Governance
3.1.The City of Adelaide Strategic Plan 2012-16
3.1.1.Council’s Strategic Plan has an Outcome that states:
The Park Lands and River Torrens are treasured landscapes and places of diverse outdoor activities and events, used by residents and visitors alike.
3.2.Current policy position
3.2.1.Council has adopted the following position in regard to the Riverbank Development and associated Governance:
3.2.1.1.Given existing governance arrangements and the role of the Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy, the Adelaide Park Lands should be exempt from precinct planning provisions, noting that the 2015 review of the Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy provides a means of responding to Inner Rim growth and Riverbank opportunities (decision number 13089).
3.2.2.At a Special Meeting on 16 July 2013, Council identified several areas where the proposed Greater Riverbank Implementation Plan may vary from the Statutory Principles of the Adelaide Park Lands Act 2005. In particular Council expressed concern about possible new built form and commercial activities taking place in this precinct. In considering this, Council confirmed a previous Council Resolution made on 20 December 2011 (in summary below):
3.2.2.1.Provide in principle support for the 2011 Riverbank Master Plan.
3.2.2.2.Seek further detail to be provided on all elements of the Master Plan as they become available.
3.2.2.3.Express concern with the extent of additional commercial activities in the Park Lands in particular.
3.2.2.4.Oppose further additional built-forms north & south of the Intercontinental Hotel, north of the train station/casino and the form associated with the Hajek Plaza.
3.2.2.5.Oppose any further retail offering in this area that may have implications for other retail centres in the CBD, in particularHindley Street and Rundle Mall.
3.2.2.6.Have concerns with additional office accommodation in this location as opposed to the CBD.
3.3.Key strategies and initiatives
3.3.1.Council is reviewing the following Ministerial Development Plan Amendments for:
3.3.1.1.Riverbank (Health and Entertainment Areas), and
3.3.1.2.Adelaide Oval Footbridge.
3.3.2.Activities are also being undertaken to enhance the Riverbank Precinct to be one of the world’s great parklands and cultural precinct in one place:
3.3.2.1.Articulation of significant areas being health and wellbeing, entertainment and education and culture.
3.3.2.2.Completion of the old RAH site design competition, with Renewal SA currently undertaking a masterplanning process for the site.
3.3.2.3.Joint Council and State Government report being developed on the economic impact in the east end due to the relocation of the hospital.
3.4.Issues for resolution
3.4.1.Ensuring that the Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy 2015 review will form the basis of the implementation of the Riverbank redevelopment.
3.4.2.Concern over the extent of commercial activities in the Park Lands.
3.4.3.Commitment to the redevelopment of the old Royal Adelaide Hospital Site in conjunction with Council.
PAGE 1
4.Transport and Movement
4.1.The City of Adelaide Strategic Plan 2012-16
4.1.1.Council’s view on the importance of transport and movement is clearly articulated in its Strategic Plan. Outcome 2 is dedicated to creating an accessible City.
A City of well-connected places that’s easy to get to and around.
Streets are for people with cyclists and pedestrians taking priority.
A readily available public transport system that links City destinations and beyond, day and night, and
Low emission and other sustainable travel options prevail.
4.2.Current policy position
4.2.1.Council has a clearly defined and comprehensive strategy in relation to transport and movement. The Smart Move, the City of Adelaide’s Transport and Movement Strategy 2012-22 is underpinned by key values and objectives. These include advocacy for increased transport choices, the creation of more people-friendly places by improving conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and those using public transport, whilst also recognising the importance of maintaining accessibility for cars and freight movements. Transport and parking related to Adelaide Oval are captured as a part of this Strategy. The Strategy has eight key outcomes:easy walking, safe cycling, quality public transport, green travel, efficient services, smart parking, calm traffic, and great streets.
4.3.Key strategies and initiatives
4.3.1.These current and proposed programs are considered to be the most critical in terms of pursuing the outcomes in the Smart Move Strategy:
Parking
4.3.1.1.Introduction of a levy on off-street parking spaces in the medium to long term provided the levy is based on an agreed and sound policy position, and that the revenue is fully invested in pedestrian, cycling and public transport facilities and infrastructure within the City. Council is opposed to the parking tax as it currently stands as it does not meet these objectives or timeframes.
4.3.1.2.Develop an On-Street Parking Strategy.
Public Transport
4.3.1.3.City tram loop as identified in SA’s draft Integrated Transport and Land Use Plan.
4.3.1.4.Partner with the State Government in providing a higher frequency free City bus service.
4.3.1.5.Currie/Grenfell streets public transport improvements alongside O-Bahn City access improvements.
Cycling
4.3.1.6.Delivery of the north-south, east-west bikeways including Grote/Wakefield streets, Frome Street and King William Street/King William Road.
4.3.1.7.Promote cycling events and awareness, and increase the availability of the free City Bikes.
Connectivity
4.3.1.8.Pedestrian improvements
4.4.Issues for resolution
4.4.1.Support for the key elements of Council’s Smart Move Strategy and in particular:
- the delivery of north-south, east west bikeways,
- Development of a City tram loop, and
- Introduction of a levy on off-street parking spaces in the medium- to long-term provided the levy is based on an agreed and sound policy position, and that the revenue is fully invested in pedestrian, cycling and public transport facilities and infrastructure within the City.
PAGE 1
5.Park Lands
5.1.The City of Adelaide Strategic Plan 2012-16
5.1.1.Council’s Strategic Plan provides clear guidance as to the important role the Park Lands play in the identity and development of the City.
5.1.1.1.Outcome 1 – City of Great Places
Strategy No. 1 – Protect and activate the City’s built heritage and Park Lands.
Key Project 10 – Support for the Adelaide Park Lands Authority which advises Council and the State Government.
5.1.1.2.Outcome 4 – Liveable City
Challenge No. 6 – Managing and Funding the enhancements of recreational facilities in the City’s 760 hectares of Park Lands.
5.1.1.3.Outcome 6 – Environmentally Sustainable City
Key project No. 11 – Park Lands native vegetation and water courses management, including revegetation of priority areas.
5.2.Current policy position
5.2.1.Governance of the Park Lands: Council has a firm view that the Adelaide Park Lands Authority (the Authority), as a Statutory body responsible to both the State Government and Council, is the most appropriate body to provide advice regarding the improvement and management of the Park Lands.
5.2.2.Council believes the existing membership provisions in the Adelaide Park Lands Act 2005 allows the Minister and / or Council to appoint persons from, or nominated by, adjoining Councils who possess the relevant expertise.
5.2.2.1.The Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy (APLMS) was jointly adopted in 2010 by the State Government and Council, and is due for review by 2015. This review will be undertaken by the Authority, pursuant to the Adelaide Park Lands Act 2005. Council Administration will support and facilitate the review.
5.2.3.The review of the APLMS will:
5.2.3.1.Determine the community’s current aspirations, values and requirements for the enhancement, protection and management of the Park Lands;
5.2.3.2.Establish the need for any changes to the short, medium and long‐term priorities for the Park Lands; and
5.2.3.3.Assist the State Government and Council in determining priorities for the allocation of any future funding which it makes available.
5.2.4.Council has formally advised the State Government of the intended review of the APLMS and sought discussions as to how to jointly progress this process.
5.2.5.Council’s Active City Strategy identifies a number of key directions for the Park Lands, including:
5.2.5.1.Establishing a network of recreational walking and cycling trails in the City;
5.2.5.2.Develop activity hubs featuring playspaces, community courts, skate and BMX facilities; and,
5.2.5.3.Facilitate the enhancement of community sports hubs by working with state sporting associations and educational institutions.
5.2.6.In their pre-election paper the LGA identifies particular commitments sought from State Government in relation to sport and recreation;
5.2.6.1.‘A requirement for all schools to explore with the Councils opportunities for shared use of facilities to open up sport and recreation facilities to sporting clubs’. While Council manages the Park Lands, community access to open space is not the critical issue in the City. However there is a supply issue in relation to indoor sports courts in the City and surrounding areas, which is not meeting the demand for indoors sports, particularly basketball, volleyball and indoor soccer. Council, with the State Government’s support, is keen to facilitate greater community access to existing indoor school sports halls in the City. There is also an opportunity to partner with the University of South Australia to increase the capacity of the ‘great hall’ planned for construction at the City West Campus over the next 5 years