A workshop next week organised by Gawler Environment and Heritage Association and Gawler National Trust is aimed at helping people understand the issues in the Draft 30 year plan and help with community submissions.  Some submissions have subsequently been posted at Blogawler.

Speakers at the workshop will include Sharon Fitzpatrick representing the Planning Institute of Australia (SA) and a range of local people with expertise in climate change and sustainability, farming and food security, biodiversity and population projections.

Spokesman Alan Jamieson said that the process of the 30 year plan left many in the community struggling to know how best to respond.  “Many people are non-plussed by the suggestion that Gawler, Concordia and Roseworthy areas are proposed to be expanded to more than 150,000 people.

Instead of the Government coming out with rushed blueprint and setting off a burst of land speculation, the process should involve local people planning the future of their communities. Why would part of the report consider that Gawler central is a suitable place for a Transport Oriented Development  including high density housing to 10 stories when other parts of the report say that protecting areas of heritage is important? Why would a transport map show a new bypass road right through existing built up areas at Gawler South and Evanston Park?

Equally it would be useful to know why population projections by the Bureau of Statistics seem to be ignored with the report suggesting government policy for the “greater Adelaide” area should add 200,000 more people over the next 30 years.  If this population dreaming was not occurring then there would be no need for ongoing urban sprawl around and beyond Gawler.  The Government still seems to believe that rain follows the plough.”

Dr David Tucker, Chairman of the National Trust Gawler Branch said that the workshop could look at a Vision for Gawler as a positive proposal.  “It might be a good move for the State Government to fund such a process so that there is genuine community input into the future.  People in Barossa and Light councils who are equally effected also need the same opportunity”

The workshop is on Thursday 24 September at 7.30 at the Uniting Church meeting room on the southern side of Tod Street, Gawler.  Further information can be obtained from Alan Jamieson on 8523 4408.

Questions are being raised about the intention of developer Delfin Lend Lease regarding plans to maximise the benefit its Gawler East development can leverage from being situated next to the Para Woodlands Reserve.  It was even suggested at the Development Planning and Advisory Committee hearing that the developer would try to locate its waste water treatment plan on the conservation area.

We think it’s therefore timely to reflect on the purposes of the Para Woodlands and how they came about.  In 2003 Mrs Elizabeth Law-Smith, widow of David Law-Smith of Yaringa handed over 350 ha of the Law-Smith farm as a woodland reserve.  The Law-Smiths donated 118 ha of land to the Nature Foundation SA and 232 ha was bought by the State Government.  Mrs Law-Smith also provided substantial financial support to the reserve for a 10 year period.  For further information see The Advertiser Farmer’s Wife Donates Land She Loves Sat Oct 11 2003.

The Para Woodlands are specifically set aside as a conservation reserve for future generations to enjoy and restoration of habitat is ongoing.  The State Government must state categorically that all of the Para Woodlands is ‘off-limits’ to developers non-conservation purposes!

Do you think 'hmm sea of roofs' when you look at this?

Wondering what to say to the Development Policy Advisory Committee on the Development Plan Amendment for Gawler East?

Get some ideas from the following letter or download a Word Version or PDF draft submission here to give you a headstart!

Send to To the Presiding Member, Development Policy Advisory Committee, Level 3, 136 North Terrace Adelaide, SA 5000

Dear Presiding Member and other members,

I am writing regarding the proposal to rezone land as outlined in the Gawler East DPA. I ask that the Committee to advise that the DPA not proceed further and that the Minister not proceed with the DPA so that the current zoning is retained.

My concerns about the proposed development at Gawler East include:

1. Extending metropolitan urban growth into this area of Gawler East has not been shown to be sustainable or sensible.

Given the need and the Government’s wish to reduce our impacts on the environment, if the Government wishes to promote population expansion then this needs to occur close to existing public transport and other infrastructure. Another development which will rely on cars for probably 90% of all transport movements is a major greenhouse negative. Some good farm land will be lost. There are much better options than Gawler East.

2. The strain on local infrastructure and resources.

The transport network in Gawler is based around the town centre and a few river crossings. The town layout does not readily adapt to expansion with big in increases vehicle movements. The Gawler East area contains a lot of steep land well away from existing facilities and public transport. It is expensive land to develop.

3. The erosion of Gawler’s identity as a unique town of heritage significance

Gawler (including Hewett) has already experienced major growth over the last 20 years and will have an increase of about 10,000 people over the next few years from areas of Evanston South zoned for housing development. More rapid population growth in Gawler East will cause unwanted community dislocation and put a lot of pressure on built character and feel of the older central parts of historic Gawler.

4. The proposal involves environmental impacts which should be avoided

The South Para riparian area and surrounding gorge is currently a quiet secluded area which has major ecological significance with its permanent waterholes and as a connecting corridor between Dead Man’s Pass reserve and Para Woodland Park and other areas of remnant vegetation. The impact of many thousands of people and their pets will reduce its conservation value. Areas of remnant grassland and grassy woodland will similarly lose habitat value. A noisy road and bridge across the South Para will further reduce conservation value. Amenity for Gawler and the One Tree Hill scenic route will be reduced by the DPA.

5. Inadequacies in the decision-making and consultation processes.

It has become apparent that the plan for the Urban Growth Boundary and the DPA in Gawler East and South have been poorly thought through by people in Adelaide and without appropriate input from Gawler people. Please don’t compound the multitude of problems by allowing this process to continue.

I wish to also express my concerns at the public hearing on the 30^th of July

Yours sincerely,

Name(s)………………………………. ………………………………..

Address…………………………………………………………………….

I/we also ask that the following is considered:

The Gawler Environment and Heritage Association has written to Minister Paul Holloway and Minister Pat Conlon to express our concerns regarding the impact of the Gawler East Development by Delfin Lend Lease.  A copy of the letter is available here under GawlerEastLetter