Push to increase Rates is Wrong

Unlimited Money is unlimited waste. 

Unley Council has the financial capacity to borrow millions more because we are running a budget with a $2.8 million surplus and can afford to pay it off. We received professional accounting advice reporting that our finances are in good shape. The only item for expenditure queried by the commercial accountant was the spending of over $4 million on Goodwood Road footpath upgrades without a  business plan. To have higher rates would simply increase our "profits" and increase our future capacity to borrow. My concern is this may allow future capital works to be easily undertaken without a business plan to back it.

We should maintain trust with accurate Consultation

Is it fair to our ratepayers to present a budget for consultation and after consultation to significantly raise the rates?  Some Councillors are pushing for increasing rates from 2.2% to 2.7%. We have consulted on a project costing $170,000 and with mixed feedback have reduced our capital expenditure.... after consultation yet some are proposing to increase.... not reduce the rate.

 

February 2016 Newsletter

Mary Street Unley October 23rd 2015 Some Beautiful Spring Street Trees

Spring 2015

Spring 2015

Our parks and gardens in Unley are great. Our Unley Council staff deserve our thanks and congratulations.

We have planted a wide range of trees including fruit and nut trees. In
Spring these have flowered and show promise of a good harvest this year.

Newsletter May 2105

Unley in Rapid change

Unley Central has no height restrictions

I am after a cool green and light city but the State Government is in control of the rules.
There are no height restrictions....I am after a 30 degree envelope so the surrounding area is light,
not overshadowed.... cool means trees and gardens.....
We need a centre with community resources for all, entertainment, fitness, medical, shopping, ....
watch this space...

Unley Oval

Plans are continuing.... email me to be kept up to date.

 

High Rise Rules Tested

The Result   Suburban sprawl  Governance  and Corruption.

Result  FAIL

244 Unley Road is in a five storey zone. A seven storey development was approved by the State Development Commission in a five storey zone.  This is not close!  See blog below. Our rules are blown apart. Seven is the new five for the whole of Unley Road.

The Commission discussed the application.

RESOLVED

1) RESOLVE that the proposed development is NOT seriously at variance with the relevant provisions of the Unley (City) Development Plan”

Result   40% Wrong

Adelaide’s sprawl

The SA Government should undertake planning for the state and should stop the bituminising of our food growing land around Adelaide. Unley should be given the population targets by the State  to plan for. Unley should develop the rules within this to gain State Approval.  An Unley DAP should consider applications in Unley. The developer should have a right of appeal to a State Development Commission.

Governance

Good governance would separate the approval process from the appeal. The umpire should not be the player. The inner suburbs Development Assessment Commission  is beholden to the STATE Government for its creation. The Appeal process is also beholden to the STATE.

Corruption

In the long term a separation of powers will inhibit corruption.  Councils should make the rules for approval within state objectives. Councils should consider development applications. If refused the developer should have the right of appeal to the State.  

The SA Government has taken over planning for Unley.

http://www.dac.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/161778/IMDAC_Minutes_260315.pdf