Winter 2025

Dear Friends and owners of Unley,

I hope you enjoy the winter news.

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

Museum is closing 2026 to expand!

The Neighbour’s tree

Fire Fighting Bicycle

Strong support 40kph

Weekly green bins 1/5

Young St Cross Unley Bikeway

 

In July we are undertaking a public consultation on the ‘only option’ to ensure our Tree canopy may achieve our target 31% by 2045. 668 individual residents in our Shaping Our Tree Strategy on Private Property Consultation all came up with the same idea. “There should be a minimum canopy for new developments that increased 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. Across Unley, including private property we remove two trees for every one planted. We will eventually lose our canopy. With less and less land to plant trees on, we will never be able to regain it. Some Sydney Suburbs with 10% tree canopy now have >50°C days, over 10°C more than their neighbouring suburb with <40°C.

Grade four students at Goodwood Primary School (GPS) visits Council and asked lots of questions. They learn how a debate with information can lead to a different understanding.  After workshops, and a debate, the Council makes lots of unanimous decisions.  However, Council also makes many decisions where there is no right answer. (“Unless it is the one that agrees with my opinion!”) Both Councillors and the community are divided. Black Forest PS students debated, “Should dogs be allowed off leash on Goodwood Oval” their answer by majority was, NO’ Without DEBATE 85% of the GPS said, Yes.

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

Michael Hewitson AM Mayor of Unley