Dear Friends and owners of Unley,

I attached an $80.00 tree canopy voucher application that opened on the Monday and closed on Thursday. Hence, this slightly early newsletter. (The newsletter was sent out to 3,000 recipients just before 5.00pm and the all the vouchers had been taken up by 6.19pm. )

If alive, we all get old

Rate Rise +1% CPI

Justin’s rate notice

If alive, we all get old

Rate Rise +1% CPI

Justin’s rate notice

The museum is closing in 2026 to expand!

The Neighbour’s tree

Fire Fighting Bicycle

Strong support 40kph

Weekly green bins 1/5

Young St Cross Unley Bikeway

 I hope you enjoy the winter news.

In July, we are undertaking a public consultation on the only option to ensure our Tree canopy may achieve our target of 31% by 2045. 668 in our shaping our tree strategy on private property, all came up with the same idea. “There should be a minimum canopy for new developments that increases the building footprint.”

Council unanimously approved consulting on our policy that all and only new developments that increase the built form will either have 15% tree canopy or pay 10% higher rates into a fund to buy land to plant trees. As we remove two trees for everyone, we plant we will eventually lose our canopy and never be able to regain it. 

I invite you to comment and concerns. Thank you to Justin, Elizabeth, and Kathy for your feedback.

With my best wishes,

Michael

2025 Autumn News

Dear Friends and Owners of Unley, 

           Parking Changes 

 

            Yesterday at a Birthday Party a Forestville resident asked, “We are about to be done in with Parking changes in March. What’s going on?” I had already done the newsletter, so I have attached the changes. Bottom line, those with on-street residential parking permits pay $22.50 each year will now be able to pay $30.00 a year for a parking overstay permit. Why? Parking is limited, and, some streets are half empty all day. We can’t park there. We need to ensure that our parks are able to be used and not empty. The unanimous new policy was recommended by our community shaping committee, hundreds were involved in consultations over 18 months. Thank you to all who participated. 

           Wrong trees in the wrong spots 

             45 years ago, Unley Council planted street trees, some have proved to be the wrong trees in the wrong spot. One problem for some is tree roots… Increasingly we are now putting in tree wells that draw the roots down over 1.2 meters. But that only works for new plantings. Council had a briefing on some problem cases and we are now working on innovative solutions. With houses on the Bay of Biscay soil and no, or inadequate foundations, cracks occur without trees. The street tree is a natural suspect.

             On Monday's Council meeting, Deputy Mayor Jack Gaffey is moving a motion for staff to explore opportunities for the Council to assist residents to retain and manage existing trees. We already cover up to 50% of the cost for residents with regulated or significant trees to safely maintain these trees. One idea to be explored, including the legals, is expanding our conservation grants to also pay 50% of the cost of putting in root barriers to protect buildings from possible root damage from existing trees. 

        Australia Day 2025

This Autumn news is a bit early…. However, 72% of the 842 responding to our Australia Day wanted the Council to hold an Australia Day event. It’s a new event and it’s on this Sunday, Jan 26th, The details are in the attached 2025 Autumn News. 

Topics once again include your feedback and more… 

•     290 Unley Road 
•     Status of Teaching 
•     JP service Australia Day 2025 
•     NEW Cultural Centre 
•     Can existing owners of batteries join? Joining a book club? 
•     Greater ADELAIDE REGIONALPLAN 

    With my best wishes, 

         Michael                                    

  Mayor Michael Hewitson AM