The 5049 Coastal Community (as Marino Residents Association) encouraged our community to engage in the consultation process. But like council the response has not been overwhelming? Therefore either everyone is happy with the plans proposed by council, they are overwhelmed or they are not prepared to engage because they feel they cannot influence outcomes?
The 5049 CC ( MRA) committee reviewed the plans from a Marino centric perspective; however these comments apply generally. This feedback was submitted formally via councils website and David Bagshaw took the opportunity to attend the general council meeting on the 13th of June and present the feedback and questions. The feedback was acknowledged by the Mayor as thoughtful and relevant. There was no debate or attempt by Councillors to discuss the issues raised, despite their having allocated an hour for presentations and questions from the community about the draft plan and the fact that there were no other presentations. Perhaps that was dealt with later in the agenda, we were unable to stay for long enough to see. The Mayor addressed the main issues raised and indicated we would get a full response to our questions from council via the administration. David acknowledged the administrations support and attendance on issue raised by the 5049 CC (MRA) The Council's response came back in record time in one week !!
Overall the plans are consistent with the council’s vision. The commitments and aspirations are to be applauded. Here are some comments and questions under the main headings
A response from Marion Council complied by Mayor Hanna 20 June
Thank you for your response, on behalf of the Marino Residents’ Association, to the City of Marion’s draft 10 year Strategic Plan and 2017/18 Annual Business Plan. I am pleased the association supports the commitments and aspirations expressed in the plans. I have provided some further information below in response to your specific questions.
As you may appreciate, some of the Strategic Plan aspirations are works in progress. The immediate objective is to implement the 2016-2019 Business Plan (http://www.marion.sa.gov.au/marions-strategic-directions). I have provided information on our intentions and work to date wherever possible.
I look forward to working with the Marino Residents’ Association as Council makes progress. I encourage the association to continue to work in partnership with Council to advocate on behalf of Marino residents.
Yours sincerely
Mayor Kris Hanna
City of Marion
Liveable
The plan highlights an increase in population and housing diversity in the south, along with general increased urban density with its resultant demand on services and facilities- Has Council undertaken modelling of the potential increase and its impact over the next 10-15years, particularly with the planned DPA for smaller residential block sizes in Marino and Hallet Cove?
In relation to housing diversity, no detailed modelling has been undertaken for the Housing Diversity DPA at this stage. Council will be working with Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure regarding dwelling yield analysis in the near future. The proposed rezoning of some of Marino and Hallett Cove would allow for smaller site areas and dimensions which would provide the opportunity for subdivision of allotments in appropriate locations (generally land with lower gradients) for a greater diversity of housing types. The proposed rezoning will not directly provide affordable housing options as large scale developments or land divisions (where the 15% affordable housing requirement is normally triggered) are not envisaged within the Marino and Hallett Cove areas. Redevelopment is anticipated to remain at low densities, albeit on smaller allotments. The ability to subdivide will provide opportunities for residents to downsize and remain in the locality.
Critically important is the fact that, if the Minister agrees to Council's Statement of Intent, all proposed rezoning, public consultation will be sought. I will ensure public responses are duly considered, although it will probably be impossible to please everyone with the final outcome.
The plan acknowledges the aging population in the City of Marion and the need for access to services and local facilities, how will the new planning amendment with an increased density encourage and support affordable housing options for younger and older people within the community? Specifically many older residents are in houses which are too big or inflexible for their needs and their options to stay in their community is very restricted under that current planning arrangements. Will the proposed DPA allow existing residents to downsize on their own property by subdividing? Will Marion provide some guidance on this approach including options for co-housing?
Redevelopment is anticipated to remain at low densities, albeit on smaller allotments. The ability to subdivide will provide opportunities for residents to downsize and remain in the locality.
The plan seeks to encourage Neighbourhoods that reflect local character and engender ownership. The impressive recent Streetscaping guidelines that have been adopted set a strong framework for decisions on civic enhancement for a consistent approach. However it does appear to imply a unified approach regardless of location. The local character of Marino and Hallet Cove, because of their topography are very different to the northern plains. Will the guidelines allow for local overlays to ensure the neighbourhoods are distinct?
As you highlight, our Strategic Plan and Annual Business Plan identify Streetscape improvements as a key priority for Council. The streetscape design guide is intended to be used to select a variety of treatment options to develop and maintain great streetscapes. The design guideline has considered the characteristics of Marion including those physical attributes (topography, train corridor, coast line etc) of Marino that makes the suburb unique.The guidelines do allow flexibility to accommodate distinctive attributes of a neighbourhood during the detailed streetscape design phase. There will be no streetscaping without consultation of local residents.
Nature
The plan notes that nature play spaces will be encouraged within a fair distance...what is a fair distance? and can this be attributed to informal nature play spaces such as gulley’s?
Council is currently reviewing its Playground Strategy and Policy which includes the consideration of user catchment distances for playgrounds across the council area. The distances between playgrounds including nature play areas will be confirmed by Council in the near future. The review has identified that catchment distances should be considered as a guide, along with other elements of areas such as topography and barriers including roads and rail lines. Council is also currently reviewing its Open Space and Recreation Strategy with the first stage being the adoption of an Open Space Policy. This policy sets the principles and framework to guide the provision, development and management of accessible and diverse open spaces including a standard such as access for the majority of people to at least one type of open space within 400 - 500 metres of their residence and/or work place. Further analysis of open space provision across the City of Marion will occur as we develop an Open Space Plan over the coming months.
With the planned increase in density within Marino and Hallet Cove; and given the current proposals to sell off "redundant" public space including green space. Has there been any analysis or modelling on the provision of accessible (level) open space within those suburbs. Will there be enough usable and green space for the future population.
See above
There is a section which talks about encouraging communities to reduce waste....the ABC program "war on waste", is very popular. Is it possible to run a pilot program in Marion for waste reduction starting with a street to get neighbours together on this important issue ?
In relation to waste reduction we are very pleased that Marion communities are keen to look at further waste reduction opportunities, and agree there is a great opportunity for further consideration to support community and neighbourhood/street targeted programs, led by community. This is something we are keen to explore to enhance our Waste Education programs in the future.
Engaged
The option to tap into skill sets within the community and encourage volunteering has been highlighted in the plan - we feel that there is capacity in the community to do things but there is often confusion about what they can do, in particular verge maintenance/ enhancement?
As you are aware, volunteers contribute to many council run programs and also more broadly across the community. Information from volunteering Australia states that 5.8 million Australian or 31% of the population volunteer in some capacity – making an estimated annual contribution of $290 billion to our economic and social good. We recognise that volunteers are an integral part of the social capital of strong and resilient communities and as such as striving to be renowned for our partnerships with volunteers.
High proportion of the community is not engaged - as per this consultation process. We would be interested to know how Council will address that challenge and how to address the lack of trust in engagement.
The plan will focus on partnerships and co-creation - are there any examples of this approach?
Council has a range of initiatives being piloted and implemented in relation to volunteering. Examples include the development of Verge Gardening Guidelines to provide clarity about use of verges. This will support residents working with council to enhance our verges.
Innovation
The plan emphasises the use of technology to better engage with the community....note that the aging population may not all be captured via this method...more forums?
As you highlight, our 10 year Strategic Plan has a strong focus on technology. The Council elected in 2014 has invested significantly over the past 2 years to improve our ICT platform. We are now in a good position to look to the technologies of the future, including improving our on-line services, expanding our Wi-Fi networks, reviewing our website and social media platforms and providing digital education programs.We are aware that some residents may not be helped through these technologies so we will continue to use a variety of methods to engage our communities, for example our annual events and facilities community survey is provided in both paper form to residents’ homes and on our web based community engagement portal.
Given the reduction in businesses are there any plans for small scale local maker spaces and shared enterprise spaces other than Tonsley?
LED street lights are a feature; the community is very supportive of Councils initiative to take over the lighting of our City. There is still concern and reservations over the quality and impact of high temperature LED lights on people and animals. There is a hope that the light temperature and hence colour will be limited to 3000K or below. This could be achieved via careful lamp selection and smart technology to add timed lighting and dimmers outside of peak hours. Will council be consulting further with the community on this proposal before implementation?
In relation to LED street lighting, the City of Marion has 8,525 street lights (consisting of 42 W compact fluoro, 80 W mercury vapour, and 18-50 W sodium). These lights are old and inefficient with the majority of lights being 4000k. The new LED street lights will reduce energy use by over 75% compared to the existing lighting. The transition to LED street lighting will achieve in excess of 1,600 tonnes of greenhouse gas emission savings per annum. As you may be aware, LED lighting provides a consistent light, allowing objects to be clearer to see, minimises glare, reduces environmental impact, minimises operating and maintenance costs, and improves amenity. Many Councils on the eastern sea-board have successfully transitioned to safe and sustainable LED street lighting (at 4000k). In addition to offering lower costs, energy consumption and greenhouse emissions, the new lights provide better lighting outcomes for the community including:
- Greater uniformity of light across and along the street,
- Better colour rendering and visibility,
- Less depreciation of the light output over time, and
- Lower glare.
Prosperous
Not sure expanding Westfield Marion is a positive initiative for community prosperity or healthy lifestyles. Don't we need a decentralise facilities with a more community based model to have a lower carbon footprint, to reduce the reliance on cars?
We recognise that our residents benefit from a variety of facilities, particularly those that provide an opportunity for multiple benefits such as community connections, local employment and prosperity and neighbourhood identity. Westfield Marion plays a role in this, however smaller community based centres are also very important. The proposed rezoning of the former ‘Lorenzin’ site in Seacliff Park seeks a mix of higher density residential development and a neighbourhood scale retail/commercial centre. This centre would be within walking/cycling distance of many residents in the surrounding suburbs.
Connectivity
The plan encourages a short walk or bike ride to facilities. How might that apply to Marino with no real centre or hub and limited opportunity for social interactions?
On the back of a very successful campaign for Oakland's crossing, could council work with state government to increase frequency of trains outside peak hours 1/hr is not conducive to connectivity via public transport?
I have worked tirelessly over many years for the Oaklands Crossing redevelopment. Now that the announcement for funding for the project has been made, Council will continue to work closely with State and Federal Governments to maximise the benefits the development can bring. Increasing train frequencies is one topic which we can discuss with the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. We are also working on maximising the connections between public transport, walking and cycling routes, major road upgrades such as Darlington and our community centres/precincts across the City.
As a community we are willing to engage in the process and be part of the solution.
