Owners of contributory items value heritage protection

The survey, conducted by the Council, found that of 397 respondents, 79% said it was important to have their property listed as a contributory item. The survey also found that 82% of respondents thought that it should be made harder for contributory items to be demolished or that the existing policy on demolition did not need to be changed. Only 18% thought it should be easier for contributory items to be demolished.

The findings come in the wake of the SA Planning Commission's proposal to remove contributory items as part of state-wide planning reforms which, it is feared, will create uncertainty as to their status.

Mayor Robert Bria said: "Councils and residents are concerned that removing contributory items from the new Planning and Design Code will create ambiguity. Contributory items contribute significantly to our City's character. Without protection, these important historic buildings are open to demolition."

Amongst the proposed changes is the plan to remove individual council development plans, which currently provide specific policies to local areas and in many cases add greater protection to contributory items.

There are currently 1463 contributory items in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters.

"There is the ongoing and well documented concern that the planning reforms will further strip away councils' authority to manage how development is undertaken in their local areas," said Mayor Bria.

"Frustratingly, the part of the new Planning and Design Code that relates to the character of an area has not been released as part of the consultation on the new planning reforms, which means the community and affected property owners are not being given the opportunity to comment on these key details," he said.